SOCIAL RETURN ON INVESTMENT (SROI) FOR EXPANDING YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH SCREENING: A DISCRETE CHOICE EXPERIMENT...
Author(s)
Karen Arulsamy, PhD1, Sharon Sung, PhD1, Angelina Ang, MD2, Weng Mooi Tan, PhD3, Elaine Chew, MD2, Janhavi Vaingankar, PhD4, Choon Guan Lim, MD4, Reed Johnson, PhD5, Semra Ozdemir, PhD5.
1Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore, 2Singhealth, Singapore, Singapore, 3Ministry of Health Transformation Office Singapore, Singapore, Singapore, 4Institute of Mental Health, Singapore, Singapore, 5Duke Clinical Research Institute, Durham, NC, USA.
1Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore, Singapore, 2Singhealth, Singapore, Singapore, 3Ministry of Health Transformation Office Singapore, Singapore, Singapore, 4Institute of Mental Health, Singapore, Singapore, 5Duke Clinical Research Institute, Durham, NC, USA.
OBJECTIVES: A substantial proportion of youths in Singapore experience symptoms of anxiety and depression but remain untreated, leading to significant health and human capital losses with long-term consequences. A universal youth mental health screening programme, including referral and evidence-based treatment, has been proposed to address this challenge. This study aims to conduct a forecast social return on investment (SROI) analysis of expanding mental health screening for anxiety and depression (including referral and treatment) among youths aged 12-17 (secondary school) using a discrete choice experiment (DCE).
METHODS: To quantify social value, we will use an unlabelled DCE with choice tasks presenting two hypothetical screening programme outcomes and a status quo (no expansion). Attributes and levels will be informed by a systematic review of youth mental health screening programmes and semi-structured interviews with key informants, including youths, parents, and service providers. Status quo levels will be based on publicly available Singapore data. Attribute levels will be designed to reflect realistic and credible changes, including small improvements in anxiety and depression prevalence and plausible ranges for secondary outcomes (e.g., improvements in educational outcomes, health behaviours, socioemotional skills). Minimum changes in secondary outcomes can be zero. We will ensure a small change in prevalence of anxiety/depression for each alternative so that changes shown for secondary outcomes are believable. Programme costs will be estimated using an activity-based costing approach, covering key components such as screening, referral, and treatment. Cost inputs will be informed through stakeholder consultation and existing data. SROI will be calculated for programmes with varying levels of effectiveness under base case and conservative cost assumptions.
RESULTS: This is a work in progress study and results will be presented if accepted. We are currently finalizing the qualitative interviews to refine the survey with full launch expected by end of July.
CONCLUSIONS: NA.
METHODS: To quantify social value, we will use an unlabelled DCE with choice tasks presenting two hypothetical screening programme outcomes and a status quo (no expansion). Attributes and levels will be informed by a systematic review of youth mental health screening programmes and semi-structured interviews with key informants, including youths, parents, and service providers. Status quo levels will be based on publicly available Singapore data. Attribute levels will be designed to reflect realistic and credible changes, including small improvements in anxiety and depression prevalence and plausible ranges for secondary outcomes (e.g., improvements in educational outcomes, health behaviours, socioemotional skills). Minimum changes in secondary outcomes can be zero. We will ensure a small change in prevalence of anxiety/depression for each alternative so that changes shown for secondary outcomes are believable. Programme costs will be estimated using an activity-based costing approach, covering key components such as screening, referral, and treatment. Cost inputs will be informed through stakeholder consultation and existing data. SROI will be calculated for programmes with varying levels of effectiveness under base case and conservative cost assumptions.
RESULTS: This is a work in progress study and results will be presented if accepted. We are currently finalizing the qualitative interviews to refine the survey with full launch expected by end of July.
CONCLUSIONS: NA.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2026-09, ISPOR Asia Pacific 2026, Bangkok, Thailand
Value in Health, Volume 55, Issue S1
Code
HTA17
Topic
Health Technology Assessment