German Psychologists Criticize Refugee Policy, Promote Professional Networking

The German Association of Psychologists (Berufsverband Deutscher Psychologinnen und Psychologen, BDP) has strongly criticized new asylum legislation that allows for the deportation of mentally ill refugees from Germany. The association refutes the lawmakers' assertion that mental health conditions, such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), do not constitute "serious illnesses" that would prevent deportation. Both BDP and other professional bodies, like the Federal Chamber of Psychotherapists (BPtK), deem the law "factually incorrect" and contribute to the stigmatization of individuals with mental health issues.

The association argues that the legislative stance, which questions the diagnosis of mental illnesses and labels them as "ostensible health reasons," subjects refugees to general suspicion. The BPtK stated that this perspective is "factually wrong" and "massively promotes the stigmatization of all mentally ill people in Germany." BDP emphasizes that assisting mentally ill refugees is a "meaningful investment." In February 2016, BDP Chairman Marcus Rautenberg visited Jordan to inspect refugee camps and aid projects.

Furthermore, BDP is offering practical information to healthcare professionals. The association has released a brochure detailing considerations for treating traumatized refugees, including guidance on residency status, cost coverage, and interpreter services. This information is directed at physicians, psychologists, and child and adolescent psychotherapists who treat or intend to treat refugees.

The Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KBV) is also supporting the networking of professionals to establish new practice models. They have published a guide advising doctors and psychotherapists on setting up, managing, and ensuring the quality of practice networks. The goal is to foster professional collaboration while maintaining individual practice autonomy.

Other BDP announcements from February 2016 include a decision on extrabudgetary reimbursement for sociotherapy for severely mentally ill patients and a study on the prevalence of sexual violence. The association also publishes a newsletter, "VPP aktuell," whose next issue will focus on war-related trauma and its psychotherapy treatment.