Mental health services in Croatia

Abstract

The Republic of Croatia is in central Europe, on the Mediterranean. A large majority of its 4 440 000 inhabitants are Croats (89.6%). The main religion is Roman Catholicism (88%). Sixteen per cent of the population is aged over 65 years. Croatia was a part of Yugoslavia after the Second World War until 1991, when Croatia declared independence. Following the declaration, Croatia was attacked by the Yugoslav army and by Serbia and suffered a devastating war (1991–95). The transition had consequences for mental health, for example a dramatic rise in the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder, especially among soldiers. The majority of soldiers received appropriate psychiatric treatment; there has, however, been an increase in claims motivated by secondary gain, as a result of government policy.

Perceived Support for Recovery and Level of Functioning Among People With Severe Mental Illness in Central and Eastern Europe: An Observational Study

“…More specifically, the development of the treatment plan for service users was usually done by the treating psychiatrists, mainly focused on medication. Service users were not asked about their preferences and shared decision making ( 39 ) was only partially implemented in clinical care. Care did not focus on strengths of the service user.…”

Turning 18 in mental health services: a multicountry qualitative study of service user experiences and views

“…In the Netherlands, once a young person turns 18, the first 385 euros of costs made are paid by themselves as a mandatory deductible, an extra voluntary deductible can be added, and the chosen care package paid at a private insurance then determines the percentage and inclusion of certain forms of care that can be insured (Kroneman et al 2016). In Croatia, the health system is funded through contributions to the Croatian Health Insurance Fund, free of charge up to age 27 for students and otherwise up to age 18 (Ivezic et al, 2009;Mestrovic et al 2016). In all four countries, coverage often excludes treatment at private practices and sometimes or partly excludes medication.…”