English summary

The Association

EXIT-sozial, Association for Mental Health Services, was founded in 1981 in Linz, Austria. The mission of the association is the improvement of the situation for persons challenged by mental health problems.
The association employs a staff of more than 100 persons, most of them being trained social workers, carers for the handicapped and psychologists.
Our mental health centers in the catchment areas of Linz-Urfahr, the townships of Eferding and Urfahr-Umgebung provide a variety of programs including crisis intervention, counseling, housing, vocational and recreation services.
An executive board presides over the association, whose chairman is Prof. Dr. Ewald Feyerer
The association is funded by the Upper Austrian Department of Social Services, hospital restructuring and de-hospitalization funds and as well as revenue from its vocational programs.
The business managers are Dietmar Dobretsberger and Evelin Meschnig.

History of the association Exit-sozial

Even today persons with psychosocial and behavior problems are discriminated against, segregated as "mentally ill" and marginalized from the rest of society.
The Italian psychiatrist and psychiatry critic Franco Basaglia was the most prominent European advocate of "open" community based mental health services.
In 1981 the Association for Psychiatric Aftercare (since 1997 EXIT-sozial) was founded based on the ideals of Franco Basaglia.
Motivated by Basaglia's experience the association opened the first halfway house for former psychiatric patients - the Franco Basaglia House in Linz-Urfahr - in Upper Austria. 
In the following years the psychiatric care in Austria was regionalized and patients were increasingly being released from large psychiatric institutions into outpatient mental health services.

The practical work with the clients

Based on the concept of democratic participation we attempt to comprehensively accompany our clients (instead of treating them) in the process of coping with psychological crises.
The Mental Health Centers offer counseling at the center as well as in the client’s home. Information about and referrals to other services are also provided. Open 24 hours a day, the Crisis Center, with the possibility for overnight stay, provides a safe, caring setting for people who have mental health problems.
The recreation services (clubs) offer a meeting place to people with challenging life experiences. Excursions, workshops and lectures complete the program.
In our residential homes and community living apartments clients can, with varying duration, find a way to a stable, autonomous life back in the community.
"The Laundry" and "Flora-Flur" provides clients with simple occupational tasks to help them to lead a stabile and independent life.
Our Mobile Care unit supports persons with mental health problems in their own homes.
You can find more information in German at our website www.exitsozial.at