Freiburg's Social Policy in Crisis: Focus on Mental Health and Social Support

Coordinated Health Policy in Freiburg

In the second half of 2025 and in the following months, the city of Freiburg increasingly focused on coordinated solutions in health and social policy. The Local Health Conference (KGK) Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald/Freiburg plays a central role in this. It coordinates health promotion, prevention, medical care, nursing, and rehabilitation at the regional level. In 2025, several round tables were held, focusing, for example, on mental health in schools or heat protection in hospitals. These initiatives demonstrate how closely interconnected Freiburg's local health policy is.

The Freiburg Community Psychiatry Consortium (GPV)

The GPV is a key actor in the provision of social psychiatry in Freiburg and its surrounding area. With 38 members, including service providers, funding bodies, and representatives of those affected, the GPV is a strongly networked organization. It coordinates expert forums, working groups, and initiatives such as the Regional Crisis Service, which has offered telephone and outreach support since April 2025. In the first months after its founding, it already processed 670 calls — a clear sign of the demand for psychosocial crisis intervention.

The GPV collaborates closely with regional institutions such as the Employment Agency, the Office for Social Affairs, AOK, and the Job Center. Financially, the structure relies on municipal responsibility partnerships, foundations, and service providers, while sustained state funding is still pending. This highlights the dependency on regional resources and the need for nationwide support for psychiatric care.

The IBB Office: Support for Affected Individuals and Their Families

Another central element of Freiburg's social policy is the IBB office (Information, Counseling, and Complaints Office for Patient Advocates). This independent counseling center, which has existed since 2001, offers free and confidential support for people with mental illnesses and their families. Opening hours are deliberately tailored to the needs of the target groups, and counseling focuses on issues ranging from conflicts with guardians to legal assistance and self-help groups.

The IBB office is an example of the involvement of experience experts and family members in social policy. With a volunteer team and a clear structure, it serves as a valuable anchor in a complex care landscape. Counseling statistics show a steady increase in demand: from 15 people seeking advice in 2019 to 64 in 2025. This underscores the growing relevance of such initiatives in a society increasingly confronted with mental stress.

Challenges and Future Perspectives

Despite the many initiatives and structures, challenges remain. Funding for psychiatric care remains uncertain, and housing for vulnerable groups is still a problem. In addition, transitions between institutions need to be improved, and the demographic change imposes additional demands on the care structure.

In the future, Freiburg could score points in these areas with increased involvement at the state and federal levels. Long-term funding for the Regional Crisis Service and the IBB office would be a step in the right direction. Moreover, the city could serve as a model region for integrated social policy — not only in Germany, but also internationally.