Last Updated: 2003-06-04 10:00:09 -0400 (Reuters Health)

LONDON (Reuters Health) - The costs of mental illness for England reach #77 billion a year when "hidden" costs like poor quality of life are included, a British research charity said on Wednesday.

The Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health puts the human costs of mental illness at a figure that is far higher than previous reliable estimates.

"Today's figures should help to put in perspective the importance to all of us of mental health. By way of comparison, the cost of mental health is greater than both the NHS budget and the total cost of crime in England," said Matt Muijen, the centre's chief executive.

The report said mental health costs #12.5 billion for care provided by the National Health Service, local authorities, privately funded services, family and friends, and #23.1 billion for lost output caused by people being unable to work. About 39 percent of adults with a mental health problem have no job.

But the burden of mental health problems is largely avoidable, Muijen said.

"Discrimination and stigma, not an inability to work, are often the causes of worklessness for those with mental health problems. And promoting good mental health remains a low priority in public services," he said.

"Effective prevention, treatment, care and support represent good value for everyone's money."