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(Not) Talking Through Mental Health Problems: How Talk Therapy Impacts Healthcare Utilization, Health and Employment

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  • Prudon, Roger

    (Lancaster University)

Abstract

To increase the uptake of mental health care and reduce the burden of mental health, many countries have introduced programs offering easily accessible talk therapy. Despite their widespread introduction and continued expansion, causal evidence on these programs' effectiveness is lacking. I estimate the impact of a Dutch program that introduced talk therapy provided by nurse practitioners at GP practices nationwide. The reform increased talk therapy uptake by 6 percentage points among individuals seeking care but also widened existing disparities in care utilization. The increased take-up of talk therapy did not significantly improve the health and employment outcomes of patients.

Suggested Citation

  • Prudon, Roger, 2026. "(Not) Talking Through Mental Health Problems: How Talk Therapy Impacts Healthcare Utilization, Health and Employment," IZA Discussion Papers 18773, IZA Network @ LISER.
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp18773
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Emma Sharland & Marta Rossa & Ted Dolby & Ekaterina Oparina & Rob Saunders & Daniel Ayoubkhani & Vahe Nafilyan & Klaudia Rzepnicka, 2025. "The effect of adult psychological therapies on employment and earnings: Evidence from England," CEP Discussion Papers dp2070, Centre for Economic Performance, LSE.
    2. Krekel, Christian & Srisuma, Sorawoot, 2024. "Talking Therapy: Impacts of a Nationwide Mental Health Service in England," IZA Discussion Papers 16839, IZA Network @ LISER.
    3. Albertini, Mattia & Bakx, Pieter & Mazzonna, Fabrizio, 2025. "Health and Labor Market Consequences of Low-Value Care: The Role of Practice Style," IZA Discussion Papers 17771, IZA Network @ LISER.
    4. Bradley T. Shapiro, 2022. "Promoting Wellness or Waste? Evidence from Antidepressant Advertising," American Economic Journal: Microeconomics, American Economic Association, vol. 14(2), pages 439-477, May.
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    JEL classification:

    • J08 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - General - - - Labor Economics Policies
    • I1 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Health
    • J22 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Time Allocation and Labor Supply

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