The Psychiatry Foundation

Psykiatrifonden, known in English as the Danish Mental Health Fund, is a Danish humanitarian, disease-fighting organization dedicated to preventing mental illness and improving conditions for people affected by mental illness. Its stated purpose is to increase knowledge about mental illness, counter prejudice and taboos, and offer counseling and support to individuals and relatives affected by mental illness. The organization also works to ensure that more people receive early and effective treatment. The foundation was established in 1996 by chief physician and former chairman Jes Gerlach in collaboration with Jens Elbirk. It has four stated focus areas: acceptance and understanding of mental illness, a better life with mental illness, greater coherence, and increased research. Since 2005, Her Royal Highness Queen Mary has been the patron of Psykiatrifonden. Psykiatrifonden operates a telephone and chat counseling service, reachable at 39 25 25 25, and runs public-awareness campaigns and storytelling initiatives featuring people living with mental illness. Its website highlights themes such as substance use and self-medication, and it advocates for better psychiatric care in Denmark, including responses to government action plans for children and young people. According to studies cited by the organization, 82 percent of Danes will receive treatment for mental illness during their lifetime. The foundation is based in Denmark and serves the Danish market. Its board is voluntary, while the director receives remuneration; in 2019 the remuneration for director Marianne Skjold Larsen amounted to DKK 1.07 million. Psychiatrist Torsten Bjørn Jacobsen took over the chairmanship in 2019 after chief physician Anne Lindhardt.

Psykiatrifonden was established in 1996 by chief physician and former chairman Jes Gerlach in collaboration with Jens Elbirk. The organization was founded as a humanitarian, disease-fighting entity with the aim of preventing mental illness and improving conditions for people affected by mental illness in Denmark. Over the years, the foundation has developed a public profile centered on advocacy, counseling, and anti-stigma work. It has set four focus areas: acceptance and understanding of mental illness, a better life with mental illness, greater coherence, and increased research. Since 2005, Her Royal Highness Queen Mary has served as the patron of Psykiatrifonden, lending royal support to its mission. Leadership has evolved over time. Chief physician Anne Lindhardt served as chairman before psychiatrist Torsten Bjørn Jacobsen took over the chairmanship in 2019. Marianne Skjold Larsen is the director of Psykiatrifonden. The board is voluntary, while the director receives remuneration; in 2019 the remuneration for director Marianne Skjold Larsen amounted to DKK 1.07 million. The foundation operates a telephone and chat counseling service and runs campaigns and storytelling initiatives that highlight the lived experiences of people with mental illness. Its website addresses themes such as substance use and self-medication, and it engages with public policy, including responding to government action plans for children and young people's mental health. According to studies cited by the organization, 82 percent of Danes will receive treatment for mental illness during their lifetime.

• 2019

  Psychiatrist Torsten Bjørn Jacobsen takes over the chairmanship after Anne Lindhardt.

• 2005

  Her Royal Highness Queen Mary becomes patron of Psykiatrifonden.

• 1996

  Psykiatrifonden is established by Jes Gerlach in collaboration with Jens Elbirk.

A humanitarian, disease-fighting organization focused on prevention, support, and advocacy for mental health in Denmark.

• Telephone counseling

  Counseling service reachable at 39 25 25 25.

• Chat counseling

  Online chat counseling service.

• Public awareness campaigns

  Campaigns to counter prejudice and taboos around mental illness.

• Research funding

  Support for increased research into mental illness.

1. 1Psykiatrifonden official websitepsykiatrifonden.dk
2. 2Psykiatrifonden - Wikipedia (Danish)da.wikipedia.org
3. 3The Psychiatry Foundation - Wikidatawikidata.org