The development of psychiatric reform in Slovenia.

The situation of mental health care in Slovenia is briefly reviewed. The reduction of beds in psychiatric hospitals has started already in the 1970s; a further decrease has occurred in the last few years. The number of admissions to these hospitals has increased recently, while hospitalizations have become shorter. On the other hand, the access to psychiatric outpatient facilities is becoming increasingly difficult. Under these circumstances, it is necessary to enhance community mental health care. Patients and families have great expectations about the new mental health legislation, which is supposed to be associated with a national mental health program.