[Services for persons with mental illness in Germany from the perspective of the health and social system: current...

The article provides an overview on the current state of service provision for people with psychiatric illnesses, financed by health-insurance companies, the rehabilitation and participatory systems, and the German Federal States. Over the last 20 years, service capacities have continually improved. Three areas that are in need of further development are highlighted here: the coordination of services for mentally ill persons with complex needs; the long-term placement of persons with severe mental illness and challenging behavior; and a growing shortage of specialists.

The mental health system in Germany is largely well to very well developed. Despite this, specific groups do not benefit from the available assistance, and these often end up as "long-term patients" in psychiatric clinics. Models for coordinated and outpatient-oriented service provision for persons with severe mental illness exist, but are only sporadic. Intensive and complex outreach services in particular are lacking, as are service concepts that are able to cross the boundaries of social security responsibilities. The shortage of specialists, which affects the whole mental health system, requires restructuring toward a more outpatient-care focus. The first tools for this exist within the health insurance-financed system. They should be used.