The present paper is based on a study of 50 non-randomized psychiatric patients who had left the hospital one year before. A semi-structured interview was used to acquire the data. Two types of data have been collected: objective and subjective. Objective data concern the diagnosis, marital status, living conditions, economic situation, educational and professional levels and medical care after hospitalization. As a whole living conditions were found to be very poor. Subjective data concern patients complaints, financial difficulties, their needs and their desire to get in contact with the community health center during hospitalisation. Most patients were in favour of starting after care just prior to discharge. All data are discussed. The most interesting finding is, that despite the many socio-economic hardships, the primary need expressed by the patients is a valuable personal relationship.