Care for mentally ill people is not consistently guaranteed during the Corona crisis

27.04.2020 12:03

As part of the corona pandemic, the likelihood of psychological crises and illness symptoms increases. Since inpatient beds in the area of mental illness had to be reduced due to the high risk of infection, outpatient help, such as counseling centers and crisis intervention options, are all the more important in order to enable support structures for the mental health of those affected. The psychotherapists in the Professional Association of German Psychologists (BDP) are particularly calling for the expansion of outpatient remote treatment.

Restrictions that were recently introduced would have to be withdrawn, as distance treatment appointments that normally take place weekly cannot be continued in some cases. The BDP therefore fears that the psychological situation of those affected will deteriorate and criticizes the fact that possible solutions for outpatient psychotherapeutic treatment (such as switching to the telephone if video treatment is not possible) are not permitted.

Patients who do not have the appropriate technical devices, insufficient internet connection or knowledge of how to use it could therefore not be treated appropriately. Psychotherapeutic treatments for people who are particularly acutely ill (so-called acute therapies) are subject to compulsory attendance - including therapies with children and young people. This often cannot be achieved in the corona pandemic.

“Structures must be created promptly to ensure appropriate assistance for children, young people and adults in the context of the Corona crisis,” emphasizes the President of the BDP Dr. Meltem Avci-Werning and is therefore calling on the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians, the umbrella association of health insurance companies and the federal government to allow all outpatient psychotherapeutic treatments via video treatment and (in the event of technical difficulties) also as telephone treatment in the context of the corona pandemic.

With the BDP Corona hotline, which was set up at short notice, BDP eV is making a contribution to supporting people who are psychologically stressed by the Corona crisis situation. The BDP Corona Hotline is implemented through the voluntary work of psychologists and the Professional Association of German Psychologists eV (BDP).