Previous reforms for the mental health of children in Austria

Previous reforms for the mental health of children in Austria

Laimgrubengasse 10, 1060 Wien, Österreich - On February 28, 2025, the government program of the Austrian government was presented, which announces comprehensive reforms on the mental health of children and adolescents. The Austrian Society for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy (ÖGKJP) welcomes several forward-looking approaches that affect topics such as children's rights and child protection. A central point is the improvement in combating child abuse, including the necessary therapeutic and financial support measures for the victims who are to be developed together with child protection organizations. Psychosocial care also includes significant fluctuations, including a desired annual expansion of therapy offers by 25 million euros from 2026 and an additional increase of 50 million euros from 2027.

At the same time, comprehensive measures are to be carried out in education. This includes the reorganization of the school medical sector and the expansion of health teams, including school nurses. The focus is on the introduction of "rehabilitation classes" for students with serious behavioral problems and psychiatric diagnoses. In addition, it is intended to expand school social work and to introduce a legal claim to an 11th and 12th school year, as it becomes clear in the reports of blog.lebensbruecke.de

relevant development areas

The relevance of mental health in the development of children was also addressed. According to the blog about developmental areas, it can be seen that children learn and develop at their own pace. This applies in particular to the areas of language and motor skills that are closely linked. Instead of exerting pressure, parents should choose a relaxed approach to promote self -confidence and the intrinsic motivation of the children. An environment that enables creative development can significantly strengthen the resistance and individual talents of the children.

Overall, the government program shows many positive approaches to sustainably improve psychosocial care. Nevertheless, further engagements are required to put the clear needs of mentally ill children and adolescents at the center of the discussion and to expand training opportunities for specialists in child and adolescent psychiatry.