Why Investing In Mental Health Mixes Public Service With Huge Earnings Potential

Mental health was the hot-button topic this past week, as a school shooting in Florida left 17 people dead. As the Federal government urged mental health research and actions in the wake of the shooting, the proposed budget would also cut close to $700 million from the Substance Abuse And Mental Health Administration. 

The need for mental health programs opens the door for investors to make a difference, while also rounding out their portfolio. 

With many states lacking funds and resources, investors can fill those needs. 

Take the state of Virginia for instance. The state currently is the top spender on mental health state hospitals but is severely lacking in mental health community programs and services. Right now, their state mental health hospitals are overpacked, to the point that patients will be sleeping in cots lining the hallways. 

By 2023, the state will have 3 percent more patients than beds to house those patients. 

Here’s where investors can come into play. 

The state is looking to free up space in their mental health hospitals by sending patients back to their communities, living in homes and regular neighborhoods where they can still get their care. Virginia is looking to add $25 million to the budget to help facilitate this process. 

So an investor that owns some real estate can get the proper rezoning and hire individuals with mental health certifications to run these homes while bringing in residual income every month thanks to this influx of state funding. Using peer-to-peer lending or credit cards can help you capitalize on these investments. You’ll be able to get a great return on your investment while filling a tremendous need. 

Filling this need in mental health is similar to how investing in companies that make CPAP machines is lucrative since sleep apnea diagnoses are on the rise, with 25% of adults having this disorder. ResMed (RMD) is a great stock to buy, since they bring in $2 billion each year, providing services to these patients. 

Blockchain technology will also play a role in the current and future mental health push. 

Last month, the healthcare company Vital Hub announced the implementation of blockchain tech that will assist the mental health industry. This technology, known as WellLinc, will help with sophisticated record keeping and security. 

This is perfect timing since the use of blockchain in the medical industry is expected to hit $2.3 billion by the year 2021. 

Financial experts are also urging investors to take a close look at some bio-tech stocks that will play a huge role in the mental health push. 

Some must-grab stocks include Acadia Pharmaceuticals (ACAD), Sage Pharmaceuticals (SAGE), and CUR Neuralstem (CUR).

Teladoc (TDOC) is also a company to watch since they’ve revolutionized the medical industry with their video chat consultation services. In the past year alone, Teladoc patient visits grew by more than 50%.

As the mental health discussion continues, expect investment opportunities to increase.