(MIAMI VALLEY, Ohio (WKEF) — A recent study conducted at Wright State University reveals that untreated mental health issues are costing the region nearly $30 billion each year. Thomas Traynor, former dean of the Soin College of Business at WSU, highlighted the economic impact of anxiety and depression, stating, “These instances of anxiety and depression, they may have temporary or permanent effects on someone’s productivity or their personal lives, in some way, that will still have some form of economic impact.”
Traynor’s research indicates that nearly 25% of residents are affected by mental health issues, either personally or through a loved one. Since 2023, he has measured the economic impact by comparing it to the region’s gross domestic product (GDP). The study found that the region suffers an estimated yearly loss of $12.17 billion in non-suicide premature deaths, $3.61 billion in deaths by suicide, and $6.57 billion in unemployment and nonparticipation.
Sarah Hackenbracht, CEO of the Greater Dayton Area Hospital Association, emphasized the broader implications, stating, “The magnitude of the annual burden is not just a number; it represents lost potential for individuals, families, businesses and the community as a whole.”…