Bielefeld's Psychiatry Advisory Board: Structure, Challenges, and Future Visions in March 2026

Structure and Composition of the Psychiatry Advisory Board

The Psychiatry Advisory Board is an important body in Bielefeld's health policy. It consists of 22 members who, in their role as citizen representatives, exert influence on psychiatric care. At the inaugural meeting on March 11, 2026, the members were introduced to their positions and sworn in. Özgür Aydin was elected as Chair with 13 votes, Heleen-Eva Blondeel (14 votes) and Nicola Steininger (11 votes) as Vice-Chairs.

The board's structure is designed to cover both professional and societal perspectives. Guests such as Prof. Martin Driessen and Prof. Udo Dannlowski, both from the University Clinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at EvKB, emphasized the importance of cooperation between politics, science, and practice.

Challenges in Psychiatric Care

Discussions in the board reflect the real problems facing psychiatry in Bielefeld. People with mental illness often suffer from additional physical illnesses, and diagnostics and treatment in adulthood have changed significantly in recent years – not least due to an increasing number of autism and ADHD diagnoses.

The University Clinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at EvKB is facing shortages, both in terms of space and personnel. There is a lack of nursing staff, and closed wards consume a large proportion of resources. In the future, the clinic will no longer be able to admit every emergency patient, which will lead to a stronger focus on outpatient care. The goal is to expand more day clinics and outpatient services to prevent emergencies and ensure the quality of care.

Topics and Goals for the Term 2025–2030

Within the meeting, clear focuses for the coming years were defined. The Psychiatry Advisory Board has agreed on the prioritization of topics, with three key areas to be prepared in working groups. These include:

• Influence on the revision of the PsychKG (Mental Health Nursing Insurance Act): A central task of the board is to engage in political developments and strive for improvements at the political level.
• Outpatient care situation for children and youth with mental illness: Early and well-coordinated support is particularly crucial for young people.
• Health goals for minors with mentally ill parents: A sensitive issue that often remains in the shadow, but has significant effects on the mental health of children.

Further topics such as the implementation of the Violence Protection Act, the introduction of an independent complaints body, and the support of homeless people with mental illness show that the board pursues broad goals.

Outlook and Areas of Action

The Psychiatry Advisory Board has not only restructured itself organizationally in the meeting, but has also defined clear areas of action. The upcoming revision of the PsychKG offers an opportunity to reorganize care structures. At the same time, it is important to advance outpatient care in order to relieve inpatient care.

Another focus is the integration of people with mental illness into the labor market and society. Cooperation with the Steering Group on Inclusion and other platforms is necessary. The planned working groups will develop concrete proposals that will influence the Regional Planning Conference 2026.

The aspirations of the board are high – and they are necessary. Mental health is a central component of public health policy, and Bielefeld has the Psychiatry Advisory Board as an instrument to act actively in this area.