Mental health issues account for one in five visits to the family doctor. In addition to costs, the situation often results in a lack of suitable solutions for those affected. Social prescribing plays a crucial role in assisting patients who struggle with loneliness, stress, or low social participation. The result of the pilot project: better psychosocial health and reduced pressure on primary care. The aim is to embed social prescribing in the Austrian healthcare system in the long term.
Many people have been in this situation before: they feel exhausted and depressed for weeks, go to their GP, but no medical cause can be found. Upon closer listening, it often becomes clear that the symptoms can have many different causes: for example, financial stress and the resulting anxiety, as well as social isolation and loneliness.
Social prescribing aims to address this issue and provide support with appropriate services. The person would be referred to regional support services to jointly draw up a plan and arrange appointments. In cases of financial stress and social isolation, for example, debt counselling and a cooking course would be organised to strengthen social contacts in the neighbourhood and restore a sense of self-efficacy.
What is social prescribing?
Social prescribing means that people experiencing loneliness, stress or a lack of social contact are referred to appropriate professionals or services that can help them find more support and a sense of community. These professionals talk to those affected and clarify their needs. They then accompany patients through the next steps, such as making appointments and attending initial meetings.
The UK as a role model: mental health already part of primary care
The social prescribing approach originated in the UK, where psychosocial health is already an integral part of primary care provided by general practitioners. France, Belgium, Canada and Ireland also offer services that refer patients to social and cultural programs as needed. Since 2021, the Austrian Ministry of Social Affairs and Health has been promoting pilot projects that aim to integrate social prescribing into primary care. Gesundheit Österreich GmbH (GÖG) is supporting the project by offering training courses, providing materials and organising networking meetings.
Greater stability in everyday life, mental well-being and social participation: pilot project proves successful
The results are positive: patients report a more stable everyday life, improved mental well-being and increased social participation. Specifically, parents of chronically ill children felt less alone, and people with mental health issues gained more security in their everyday lives through new social contacts. 93% of patients would recommend social prescribing to others.
Relief for the healthcare system through appropriate care for patients
The already strained healthcare system also benefits from social prescribing: doctors would have more time for their patients again. This is because psychosocial concerns would be handled directly by trained specialists.
The Leuchtturm Centre for Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine was part of the pilot project and sees social prescribing as an important part of family care. Modern medicine now places a greater emphasis on emotional stability, a shift from the traditional focus on physical health. Specialist Dr Regina Rath-Wacenovsky says:
‘We are aware of the interaction between the psyche and organ systems. Friendship, exercise, family support and a healthy diet are key factors influencing the health of our young patients. But how do you achieve this? How do I organise this service? How much does it cost and what support is available?’
According to the doctor, social prescribing is low-threshold and relaxed, so there is no room for shame or shyness. The costs of social prescribing are also low, and the savings in therapy and medication are high.
Target groups: economic difficulties, unstable living situations & few social contacts
The majority of individuals referred through a social prescribing program ranged in age from 30 to 60, with an average age of 43.4. More than half were unemployed due to health restrictions or retirement. The data clearly shows that social prescribing primarily targets people with economic difficulties, unstable living situations and a lack of social networks.
‘The experiences from the pilot projects show a high level of effectiveness – even for groups that are otherwise difficult to reach with health-promotion measures. Social prescribing combines medical care with social reality. The approach is promising and should be pursued further,’ says Herwig Ostermann, managing director of Gesundheit Österreich GmbH.
