ArticlePloS one2022
Can additional funding improve mental health outcomes? Evidence from a synthetic control analysis of California's millionaire tax.
Article in PloS one, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.
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Who cites it
5 citing papers in PubMed.
- Addressing Racial and Ethnic Disparities of Childhood Trauma, Grief, and Loss: Considerations for Mental Health and Educational Policy.Journal of racial and ethnic health disparities · 2026Review
- A Mixed-Methods Exploration of the Implementation of Policies That Earmarked Taxes for Behavioral Health.The Milbank quarterly · 2024Article
- A Tale of Two Taxes: Implementation of Earmarked Taxes for Behavioral Health Services in California and Washington State.Psychiatric services (Washington, D.C.) · 2024Article
- Earmarked Taxes for Mental Health Services in the United States: A Local and State Legal Mapping Study.The Milbank quarterly · 2023Article
- A policy implementation study of earmarked taxes for mental health services: study protocol.Implementation science communications · 2023Article
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Authors and funding
1 author.
Funding
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Abstract
California is the only one of its peers with a state-wide tax earmarked for mental health programs. The voter-approved levy applies to personal income above $1 million and has generated over $20 billion since 2005. But whether the additional funding improved population mental health remains unknown. This study applies the synthetic control method to the CDC's National Vital Statistics System data to determine how the tax affected suicide deaths in California. Findings show that the state's suicide mortality rate increased more gradually after the tax's implementation than it would have otherwise. By 2019, the cumulative impact was approximately 5,500 avoided deaths. Multiple robustness and sensitivity checks confirm that result. However, the effect did not appear immediately, nor was it present within all demographic groups. Nevertheless, additional revenue was associated with improved mental health in California. Other governments may likewise yield beneficial outcomes.
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