Health Literacy und Empowerment für Menschen mit schweren psychischen Erkrankungen

Mental disorders are associated with an increased burden of disease. Furthermore, somatic illnesses represent an additional potential problem for people with mental illnesses, e.g., due to increased risk factors and diagnostic overshadowing. Nevertheless, people with mental disorders seek professional support late or not at all. Promoting health literacy and empowerment are important starting points for promoting health and reducing inequalities in healthcare for people with mental illnesses. In this article the concepts of health literacy and empowerment are outlined, the possibilities for promotion in practice and a case example are presented. Healthcare workers play an essential role in the promotion of health literacy and empowerment.