Plain Language Summary

This research explores how different strategies can improve mental health for young people in Bogotá, Colombia, where many face mental health challenges and lack access to effective treatment. Understanding how to better allocate limited resources in healthcare is vital, especially in countries with fewer financial resources for mental health services. This study specifically evaluates 9 interventions over 10 years to see how they could impact health outcomes and costs.

Key findings indicate that certain programs, such as antibullying initiatives, community-based rehabilitation, and online mental health services can improve mental health outcomes and reduce costs. Training general practitioners in mental health care and providing gatekeeper suicide prevention training also show promise, being cost-effective when compared to current practices. Interestingly, when all 9 strategies are implemented together, they create a synergistic effect that leads to the best overall health benefits and a significant financial return, estimated at $465 million over the period studied.

The research uses system dynamics modeling, which allows for a comprehensive analysis of how various interventions interact within the healthcare system. This approach highlights the importance of considering potential unintended consequences and the overall capacity of healthcare services to handle increased demand. The results suggest that using a combination of different strategies can lead to better health outcomes at a lower cost than maintaining the status quo.

For healthcare decision makers, the findings underscore the value of investing in a mix of targeted mental health programs, particularly in low- and middle-income countries like Colombia. These strategies not only address immediate mental health needs but also promise long-term economic benefits. For researchers, this study demonstrates the effectiveness of system dynamics modeling in evaluating complex health interventions and emphasizes the need for further research in diverse contexts to refine these approaches and ensure their applicability.

In summary, this research offers important insights into how mental health interventions can be effectively combined to enhance outcomes for young people while managing costs, making a compelling case for coordinated strategies in mental healthcare.

^{Note: This content was created with assistance from artificial intelligence (AI) and has been reviewed and edited by ISPOR staff. For more information or for inquiries on ISPOR’s AI policy, click here or contact us at info@ispor.org.}