Psychosocial interventions are essential tools in mental health care and rehabilitation. A range of interventions relevant to rehabilitation that are covered in a German DGPPN S3 guideline on psychosocial interventions are discussed.

Literature search and (mostly) systematic reviews were performed for a range of psychosocial interventions.

Milieu therapy (MT) includes measures that impinge on therapeutic milieu/atmosphere in joint professional/user groups in the course of treatment. MT provides a context in which psychosocial interventions can be implemented. There is evidence of its effectiveness in improving mental health outcomes. Peer involvement (PI) and peer support are supported by promising evidence as innovative interventions in mental health care. Findings on case management (CM) are inconsistent. There are difficulties in defining CM. CM strengths include treatment satisfaction and continuity of care. With respect to integration in the labour market for people with severe mental illness supported employment (SE) has been shown to be more effective in achieving job placement. A proportion of SE users fail to find jobs on the general labour market. Other types of work rehabilitation are required, and there is room for pre-vocational training interventions.

Psychosocial interventions are strong interventions. The strength of the evidence is varied. The use of psychosocial interventions rests on experience, evidence and ethics.

Psychosocial interventions are indispensable in building mental health care systems. Vocational interventions and residential services are mandatory. Peer involvement could help in moving mental health services forward.

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.