Burgenland's Mental Health Crisis Deepens as Child Psychiatrists Quit
Burgenland's Mental Health Crisis Deepens as Child Psychiatrists Quit
Burgenland's Mental Health Crisis Deepens as Child Psychiatrists Quit
Burgenland is facing a severe shortage of child and adolescent psychiatrists, leaving many young patients without proper care. The situation has worsened after key resignations and a long-standing freeze on new cases in the northern part of the state. A new strategy is now being developed to address the crisis. Over a year ago, the medical director of child and adolescent psychiatry in Burgenland halted new waitlist cases in the north due to a critical lack of specialist doctors. At present, only five child and adolescent psychiatrists serve the entire region, and the leadership role remains vacant. The former state coordinator, Brigitte Hackenberg, stepped down in protest over what she called an unsustainable care situation.
The state currently operates just three outpatient clinics for under-18s—located in Oberwart, Eisenstadt, and Neusiedl am See—but lacks essential services like day clinics and subacute inpatient units. A comprehensive strategy for child and adolescent mental health has yet to be established. Andreas Kollar recently took charge of the psychosocial services and child and adolescent psychiatry division at Soziale Dienste Burgenland (SDB). Social Affairs Minister Leonhard Schneemann praised him as a 'dream appointment' for the role. Kollar has emphasised the need for an attractive work environment with realistic workloads to recruit and keep specialists in the region. The Psychiatry Master Plan, being drafted by the Development and Planning Institute for Health (EPIG), is set to be unveiled next winter. It aims to define the precise number of child and adolescent psychiatrists required in Burgenland.
The ongoing shortages have forced delays in treatment and left key positions unfilled. With the new division head in place and a master plan on the way, Burgenland hopes to stabilise its child and adolescent psychiatric services. The success of these efforts will depend on addressing staffing gaps and expanding care infrastructure.