S&PAA’s Societal Costs of Schizophrenia & Related Disorders study in 2021 revealed that schizophrenia costs the U.S. $281.6 billion annually, from caregiver expenses to healthcare costs to those stemming from justice system interactions. The report also found that the cost of caregiving by unpaid (e.g., family) caregivers was a staggering $104.5 billion per year.

Providing better integrated care can substantially reduce healthcare costs for those with schizophrenia. But only with comprehensive, accurate data can the U.S. develop targeted policies and ultimately a better system of care. To that end:

• We are updating our national cost and caregiver studies to reflect the most current data.
• We are building the first-known state-level online interface to empower policymakers and advocates to calculate the costs of schizophrenia in their states. The goal: provide an evidence-based foundation for policymakers, researchers and advocates to improve the outcomes of people living with this serious brain disease.

While our national reports are important for guiding federal policy decisions, it also is imperative to provide data tailored to specific states, because many policies that affect the lives of people with schizophrenia vary (and are funded) at state and local levels.

Rather than continuing to misallocate funds to pay for the consequences of our siloed system (such as jails and courts), we need to invest in a new and better treatment paradigm that recognizes schizophrenia as a neurological condition and addresses it accordingly. Only then can we develop and execute targeted, life-saving care.