Mental health care in Prague.
OBJECTIVE
To describe principles and characteristics of mental health care in Prague.


METHODS
Based on existing data, service provision, number of professionals working in services, funding arrangements, pathways into care, 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 psychiatric treatment 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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Raboch
J
J
Psychiatric Department, 1st Medical School, Charles University Medical School, Prague, Czech Republic. raboch.jiri@vfn.cz
Wenigova
B
B
D002391:Catchment Area, Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002947:Cities; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D003419:Crisis Intervention / Q000379:methods; D018153:Czech Republic; D003631:Day Care, Medical / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006291:Health Policy / Q000639:trends; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000191:economics / Q000628:therapy*; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D012759:Sheltered Workshops; D019037:Urban Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*