Tuesday October 10 is World Mental Health Day. According to the Austrian Federal Association of Psychotherapists (ÖBVP), “there is still a lack of will or financial resources for comprehensive psychotherapeutic care.” The NEOS have now once again appealed to health insurers to cover the costs of psychotherapy.
“Especially in times of high inflation, no one should have to worry about whether they can afford treatment. Everyone has the right to psychological help and therefore to recovery against health insurance costs. After all, we have all been paying higher social security contributions for psychotherapy for more than thirty years – and yet we only receive a fraction of the treatment costs back from the health insurer,” explains NEOS health spokeswoman Fiona Fiedler.
No shortage of staff, but poor conditions
She referred to a corresponding petition presented to Health Minister Johannes Rauch (Greens) in June. The Austrian Federal Association of Psychotherapists pointed out in a broadcast on Monday that there are well-trained staff, but that too few psychotherapy places are financed by health insurers and that the general conditions are poor. Mental Health Day on Tuesday should be used to break taboos and reduce prejudice.
“It’s about empowering and encouraging people to talk about both their mental and physical problems. There is no health without mental health,” said ÖBVP President Barbara Haid.
Crises put pressure on the psyche
According to a recent survey by the European Commission, almost two in three people currently feel psychologically burdened by world events. Examples of this are the corona pandemic, the war in Ukraine and climate change. 62 percent said these events put ‘some’ or ‘great’ strain on their mental health. Within a year, almost half of all participants suffered from emotional and psychosocial problems.
However, more than half would not have sought professional help. Nine in ten respondents believe that mental and physical health are equally important and should be promoted. About 26,500 people aged 15 and over from 27 EU Member States were surveyed.
Source: Krone
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