Mental health care in Prague

Abstract

Aim. To describe principles and characteristics of mental health care in Prague. Method. Based on existing data, service provision, number of professionals working in services, funding arrangements, pathways intocare, user/carer involvement and specific issues are reported. Results. Mental health care in Prague has a special position in the Czech Republic. Prague has the longest tradition of psychiatrictreatment including the German Psychiatric Department of the Charles University. The density of services is higher, there are more extrainstitutional facilities and acute beds are located in general hospitals. Discussion. Whilst various issues of mental health care in Prague overlap with those in other European capitals, there also are some specific problems and features. After substantial political changes in early 90s, the prevailing institutional model of psychiatric care has started to be changed according to the Concept of Psychiatric Care prepared by the Czech Psychiatric Association and approved by the Ministry of Health. However, stigma connected with mental disturbances is still present and there are not enough financial resources and will to put these plans rapidly into the practice.