The psychiatric reform in Spain

Since the 1980's psychiatric care in Spain changed considerably (Reforma ps iquidtrica espanola). In the course of this reform, many positive results w ere achieved. An extensive community network of mental health centres was b uild up which resulted in the majority of psychiatric patients being integr ated in the Spanish general health care system and making a better organize d mental health care structure possible. New legislation also improved the care and civil rights of patients. An analysis of the experiences of the Sp anish psychiatric reform shows that the tendency to retain the old mental h ospitals, alongside the other institutions still exists. The process of dei nstitutionalization and the original aims of the psychiatric reform cannot only be satisfied by the closure of large psychiatric hospitals as during t he reform new aspects and problems as well the great complexity of the task have become apparent. This article together with the details of the Spanis h sources gives the German public a good overview of the developments in Sp anish psychiatry.