Medical Care Research and Review published a study examining the out-of-pocket costs associated with mental health services.  The study found that families with an individual with a mental illness typically had higher out-of-pocket spending than other families.  However, the authors note that the mental health treatment itself did not contribute greatly to the costs, and suggest that other medical conditions and lower incomes result in a higher financial burden of health care.

Zuvekas, S.H. and Selden, T.M.  (2010).  Mental healht and family out-of-pocket expenditure burdens.  Medical Care Research and Review, 67(2): 194-212.  http://mcr.sagepub.com/content/67/2/194.abstract

Authors: Samuel H. Zuvekas and Thomas M. Selden