[Psychiatric Rehabilitation in the GDR against the Background of Soviet Influences]. / Die psychiatrische Rehabilitation in der DDR vor dem Hintergrund sowjetischer Einflüsse.

The study describes developments and local models of psychiatric rehabilitation in the GDR and the USSR. After the Second World War patient care was focused on hospitals. The Rodewisch Theses and the Brandenburg Theses as well as the "Conception to improve the patient care for mentally ill people after 1980" were important suggestions. The GDR primary literature review shows that soviet concepts were often received. The principles of stages, continuity and sectorization set the stage for success here and there. Transition units such as psychoneurological dispensaries, the occupational/protected workshops and assisted residences, therapeutic clubs, day and night hospitals were created. The occupational therapy was intended to facilitate the transition into the normal working. As a consequence, during the 1970s and 1980s in the GDR a high level of employment of mentally ill people in the economy could be achieved.

[Work Participation for People with Severe Mental Illnesses: A Challenge Yesterday and Today]. / Berufliche Teilhabe am Arbeitsleben von Menschen mit schweren psychischen Erkrankungen: gestern und heute eine Herausforderung.

Throughout its history, German psychiatry has been aware of the challenge it imposes to capacitate persons with severe mental disorders to participate in the job market. In the past, it was above all work therapy that was seen as an instrument to overcome this problem. The reform efforts of the Rodewisch Propositions can serve as an example. In Germany, social law legislation favored the classic rehabilitation sector to provide labor market participation benefits. Aiming at reintegrating patients in labor was not regarded a primary task of acute psychiatry. This approach should be altered to maintain the employability of mentally ill people and to prevent early retirement because of mental illnesses.