One in Four People in Bavaria Diagnosed with Mental Health Disorders, Report Finds

The latest psychiatric report highlights alarming gaps in mental health care despite rising diagnoses and growing demand for treatment.

The second Bavarian psychiatric report reveals that 26% of the state's population, including over 300,000 children and adolescents, have been diagnosed with a mental health disorder.
Mental health conditions cost Bavaria an estimated €9 billion annually in direct expenses, with indirect costs from lost productivity far exceeding this figure.
Regional disparities and a critical shortage of mental health professionals have led to months-long wait times for therapy and inadequate care for non-urgent cases.
Depression, anxiety, and substance-related disorders are among the most common diagnoses, with social factors like poverty, unemployment, and crises such as the pandemic exacerbating mental health issues.
The report underscores the urgent need for improved prevention, better integration of care systems, and expanded treatment capacity to address the growing demand.