The economic cost of schizophrenia could be almost half a billion a year, according to the authors of a new study on the condition. The study found that a six-month delay in treatment for the condition is resulting in an unemployment rate of 80% among those affected.

According to research led by Caragh Behan, head of awareness group Detect, there are almost 1,000 Irish people currently suffering from schizophrenia.

Co-author, UCD professor, and consultant psychiatrist Eadbhard O'Callaghan says delays in treatments only serve to drive up the costs to the taxpayer.

"There is a high prevalence in Ireland, but because of the stigma attached to it, schizophrenia is not spoken of very much, and yet it is the most common form of psychosis."

O'Callaghan added that, besides delays in receiving treatment, expenses are incurred as the condition affects sufferers at a young age. When broken down, direct costs to hospitals are in the region of a minimum of €120m, and indirect costs such as treatment after delays and community services are in the region of €340m.

At a conference last week in St John of God, Dublin, called 'Psychosis: Improving Outcome', O'Callaghan said: "Ireland cannot afford not to invest in mental illness."

He also revealed that in most western countries, psychosis costs between 2-4% of GNP, which would put costs in Ireland at almost €3bn.