Rise in Unemployed Population Outside the Labor Market
In recent years, mental illnesses have become a significant health challenge in Germany, with approximately every fourth adult affected annually[1]. However, securing timely psychotherapy appointments remains a daunting task for many individuals, particularly those suffering from severe mental illnesses.
The German Foundation for Patient Protection and several patient advocates have been vocal about the need for faster offers for mentally ill individuals[1][2]. Stefanie Stoff-Ahnis, the deputy head of the top association of statutory health insurance funds in Germany (GKV-Spitzenverband), has stated that while there is no shortage of psychotherapy spots, finding a therapy spot remains a challenge for severely mentally ill individuals[1].
The primary cause of these long wait times can be traced back to a chronic shortage of available therapy places relative to demand, coupled with a lack of coordinated reporting of therapist capacities[1]. To address this issue, the GKV-Spitzenverband has proposed legal measures that include obligating psychotherapists to report their available capacities[1]. This reporting would enable a centralized system for distributing appointments, improving transparency and access to free therapy places, and reducing patients' waiting times.
Eugen Brysch, a board member, has emphasized that severely ill individuals need tailored, quick offers[1]. He attributes the increasing number of suicides to the scarcity of appointments with psychotherapists. In response, patient advocates propose a legal claim to suicide prevention in statutory health insurance, including short-term consultation hours, treatment spots, and mobile therapy[1].
The association suggests that an appropriate number of consultation hours and half of the treatment spots by psychotherapists should be reported to appointment service centers and exclusively allocated through them[1]. The GKV-Spitzenverband also demands that psychotherapists should be legally required to report available treatment capacities[1].
However, Brysch suggests that the legal instruments are not sufficient to hold the Association of Statutory Health Physicians accountable for their duty to provide care[1]. He calls for additional measures to ensure that the proposed regulations are enforced effectively.
In 2023, the mediation rate for such appointments was 46 percent, according to the association's figures[1]. Statutory health insurers are calling for faster appointment scheduling for affected individuals. Stoff-Ahnis states that severely mentally ill individuals require direct help and supportive orientation to find therapy spots[1]. The association has adopted a position paper on this issue.
The issue of long wait times for psychotherapy appointments in Germany is a complex one, with factors such as increasing mental health awareness and demand, high costs, and complexity of psychotherapy indirectly contributing to access difficulties[2]. Nevertheless, the proposed solutions aim to address the root cause of the issue and improve access to mental health care for all individuals in need.
References: [1] German Press Agency (2023). Waiting times for psychotherapy appointments in Germany. Retrieved from https://www.dpa.de/ [2] World Health Organization (2021). Mental health and psychosocial support for refugees and migrants. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/
Science and health-and-wellness sectors, including mental health, are addressing the pressing issue of long wait times for psychotherapy appointments in Germany, particularly for severely ill individuals. To alleviate this problem, the GKV-Spitzenverband is proposing legal measures such as mandatory reporting of psychotherapist capacities for a centralized system, improved transparency, and reduced waiting times.
