The government is making another 19 million available for psychotherapeutic or psychological support for children and young people. The money will go to the ‘Healthy out of the crisis’ project, which has created more than 8,000 places since April. Now another 10,000 children, youth and young adults need to be supported.
The project is coping with the consequences of the corona pandemic, which children and young people have experienced as a “huge cut”, according to Health Minister Johannes Rauch (Greens). According to studies, lockdowns and homeschooling have been a major psychological challenge for young people. With “Healthy from the Crisis” they would be helped quickly, unbureaucratically, effectively and above all for free. This is supported by the Professional Association of Austrian Psychologists (BÖP) and the Austrian Professional Association for Psychotherapy (ÖBVP).
So far, 5,700 therapies have been completed through the project and another 2,700 are nearing completion. Children and young people in need receive care or treatment in the vicinity of their place of residence within eleven days on average. They are cared for by experts up to the age of 21. Most of them were between 16 and 21 years old (45 percent), followed by 10 to 15 year olds (one third). 72 percent were girls.
“regular operation overwhelmed”
In short, the medical care for young people with mental illness is “worrying,” said ÖBVP chair Barbara Haid. Regular operations are overwhelmed. “Of course we know that health costs money. But disease takes life,” Haid said. Every child and young person has a right to a place in psychotherapy or psychological treatment, “regardless of where you live and how much money your parents have,” added Daniela Kern-Stoibl, executive director of the nationwide Open Youth Work Network. The project, which is funded by the Ministry of Health, could cover rural areas where therapists are rare.
The extra millions for psychologically stressed and sick children and youth are “relatively a small amount when you consider what non-treatment costs in the long run,” Rauch said. By June 2024, 10,000 new places for affected children and young people must be created. The number of previously involved practitioners is increased from 875 to 1,500. They currently offer the treatment in 17 languages.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
