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Purpose The purpose of the study was to investigate the changes in psychosocial and psychiatric services in the German city of Leipzig during the COVID-19-pandemic. Methods A participatory, mixed-methods study was used involving a quantitative online survey and qualitative semi-structured interviews with professionals. Quantitative findings were reported with descriptive statistics, and thematic analysis was conducted for qualitative data. Results Fifty professionals from various mental health services participated in the survey and eleven professionals were interviewed. Quantitative findings showed that some services were closed intermittently and that there was a stiff increase in use of digital/telephonic service and a decrease in face-to-face services. Staff or funding did not change considerably during the pandemic. Psychosocial groups were suspended or reduced, while access to services became more difficult and professional training for staff was stopped. Thematic analysis of the interviews showed that professionals experienced different phases and levels of change during the pandemic, including changes on a structural level, on the users’ level, and on the staff’ level. Professionals particularly criticised the equivocality of COVID-19 regulations, a defective flow of information and lack of attention for mental healthcare in public policies. They also saw positive aspects, such as the capacity of users and the outpatient care system to adapt to the new situation. Conclusion This study suggests directions for policy and service development, such as communicating clearly in infection-control measures, fostering outpatient care and networks between services.

Zusammenfassung Ziel Erfassung COVID-19-Pandemie bedingter Veränderungen psychiatrischer und psychosozialer Angebote und Auswirkungen auf die Versorgung schwer psychisch erkrankter Menschen in zwei kontrastierenden Regionen. Methodik Entwicklung und Einsatz eines Online-Fragebogens (PandA-Psy) in Leipzig (N=50) und Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (N=126). Ergebnisse In der gemeindepsychiatrischen Versorgung der zwei Regionen wurden vergleichbare Veränderungen festgestellt. Diese betreffen vor allem Abnahme der Präsenzkontakte und Gruppenangebote, Zunahme von digitalen und telefonischen Angeboten sowie die zunehmende Belastungssituation der Mitarbeitenden. Unterschiede zwischen den Regionen werden diskutiert. Schlussfolgerung Anhand von PandA-Psy konnten für den urbanen und ländlichen Raum Veränderungen der psychiatrischen und psychosozialen Angebote durch die COVID-19-Pandemie abgebildet werden. Dabei wurden neben überwiegend negativen Konsequenzen der pandemischen Ausnahmesituation auch aus der Krise erwachsende Chancen detektiert.

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