“The Economic Impact of Depression Treatment in India: Evidence from Community-Based Provision of Pharmacotherapy”, 2024 (; backlinks; similar):
This study evaluates the impact of depression treatment on economic behavior in Karnataka, India.
We cross-randomize pharmacotherapy and livelihoods assistance among 1,000 depressed adults and evaluate impacts on depression severity, socioeconomic outcomes, and several potential pathways.
When combined, the interventions reduce depression severity, with benefits that persist after treatment concludes. Pharmacotherapy alone has a weaker effect that is only marginally statistically-significant and dissipates sooner. Depression treatment does not statistically-significantly increase earnings, consumption, or human capital investment in children.