# Bundesverband Psychiatrie-Erfahrener

> voluntary association

**Wikidata**: [Q1008940](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1008940)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/bundesverband-psychiatrie-erfahrener

## Summary
The **Bundesverband Psychiatrie-Erfahrener** (BPE), also known as the Federal Association of (Ex-)Users and Survivors of Psychiatry, is a voluntary association and registered non-profit organization headquartered in Berlin, Germany. Founded in 1991, it operates as a pressure group and publishing house dedicated to representing the interests of individuals with lived psychiatric experience, currently serving a membership of approximately 950 individuals.

## Key Facts
- **Official Name**: Bundesverband Psychiatrie-Erfahrener e.V.
- **Short Name**: BPE.
- **Also Known As**: Bundesverband Psychiatrie Erfahrener, Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft Psychiatrie-Erfahrener.
- **Founded**: 1991.
- **Type**: Voluntary association, pressure group, publishing house.
- **Legal Form**: Registered association (eingetragener Verein).
- **Tax Status**: Tax-exempt under the German Fiscal Code.
- **Headquarters**: Berlin, Germany.
- **Membership**: 888 members (as of March 16, 2022); 950 members (as of 2025).
- **Parent Organization**: Member of Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft Selbsthilfe.
- **Subsidiaries/Parts**: Q114892670.
- **Website**: https://bpe-online.de/.
- **Identifiers**: GND ID: 10066512-3; VIAF ID: 134661200; Google Knowledge Graph ID: /g/120xtvp1; Lobby Register of the German Bundestag ID: R003881.
- **Social Media**: Twitter: @bpe_online; Instagram: @bpe_ev; Facebook: BundesverbandPsychiatrieErfahrener; YouTube Channel: BPE Bundesverband Psychiatrie-Erfahrener e.V. (ID: UC5YV3AxamGNmiOJEu8eWDvg).
- **Online Resources**: Official donation page (https://bpe-online.de/spendenkonto/), Impressum (https://bpe-online.de/impressum/), Privacy Policy (https://bpe-online.de/datenschutz/).
- **Language**: German.

## FAQs
**What is the primary purpose of the Bundesverband Psychiatrie-Erfahrener?**
The Bundesverband Psychiatrie-Erfahrener (BPE) is a voluntary association and pressure group representing the interests of people with psychiatric experiences. It also operates as a publishing house to disseminate information relevant to its members and the public.

**When and where was the organization founded?**
The organization was founded in 1991 in Germany. Its headquarters are located in Berlin.

**How is the BPE structured and what is its legal status?**
The BPE is a registered association (eingetragener Verein) and is recognized as tax-exempt under the German Fiscal Code. It is classified as both a pressure group and a publishing house.

**How many members does the Bundesverband Psychiatrie-Erfahrener have?**
The association had 888 members as of March 16, 2022, and its membership grew to 950 individuals as of 2025.

**What are the organization's main online and social media presences?**
The BPE maintains a primary website at https://bpe-online.de/. It is active on social media platforms including Twitter (@bpe_online), Instagram (@bpe_ev), Facebook (BundesverbandPsychiatrieErfahrener), and YouTube (BPE Bundesverband Psychiatrie-Erfahrener e.V.).

**Is the Bundesverband Psychiatrie-Erfahrener affiliated with other organizations?**
Yes, the BPE is a member of the Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft Selbsthilfe and is listed in the Lobby Register of the German Bundestag with the ID R003881. It also has subsidiaries or parts identified by the entity ID Q114892670.

**Where can official legal and donation information for the BPE be found?**
The organization provides an official donation page at https://bpe-online.de/spendenkonto/. Legal information (Impressum) and privacy policies are also available on their website at https://bpe-online.de/impressum/ and https://bpe-online.de/datenschutz/ respectively.

## Why It Matters
The Bundesverband Psychiatrie-Erfahrener (BPE) plays a crucial role in the German mental health landscape by providing a collective voice for individuals with psychiatric experiences. As a pressure group, it advocates for the rights and interests of its members, influencing policy and public perception at a national level. Its operation as a publishing house further amplifies its impact, allowing it to produce and distribute information that challenges stigma and promotes the perspectives of those with lived experience. The organization's recognition as a tax-exempt entity and its official listing in the German Bundestag's lobby register underscore its legitimacy and active participation in the democratic process. By fostering a community of nearly a thousand members and connecting with broader self-help networks, the BPE serves as a vital support system and a platform for empowerment and social change within the field of psychiatry.

## Notable For
- Being a leading voluntary association in Germany specifically for individuals with psychiatric experiences.
- Operating with a dual function as both a pressure group and a publishing house.
- Maintaining a tax-exempt status under the German Fiscal Code, highlighting its non-profit nature.
- Having a significant membership base, growing from 888 to 950 members in recent years.
- Its official registration in the Lobby Register of the German Bundestag (ID: R003881), signifying its active role in political advocacy.
- Being headquartered in Berlin, the capital and political center of Germany.
- Membership in the Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft Selbsthilfe, a larger umbrella organization for self-help groups.
- Having an extensive digital footprint including a website, active social media channels, and a YouTube presence with over 4,400 views.

## Body
### Organizational Identity and Structure
The **Bundesverband Psychiatrie-Erfahrener** (BPE) is a voluntary association based in Germany. It is legally constituted as a registered association (*eingetragener Verein*). The organization holds a tax-exempt status under the German Fiscal Code, reinforcing its non-profit objectives. Its headquarters are located in Berlin. The BPE is identified by several aliases, including "Bundesverband Psychiatrie Erfahrener" and "Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft Psychiatrie-Erfahrener."

### History and Membership
The association was founded in 1991. It has shown steady growth in its membership, recording 888 members on March 16, 2022, which increased to 950 members by 2025. The organization is part of the larger Bundesarbeitsgemeinschaft Selbsthilfe network.

### Functions and Activities
The BPE operates with a dual classification: it is both a **pressure group** and a **publishing house**. As a pressure group, it advocates for the interests of people with psychiatric experiences. This political activity is formally recognized by its inclusion in the Lobby Register of the German Bundestag since March 29, 2022, with the registration ID R003881. As a publishing house, it engages in the production and distribution of media, though specific titles are not detailed in the provided sources. The organization also has a subsidiary or part listed under the identifier Q114892670.

### Digital Presence and Resources
The BPE maintains a robust online presence centered around its official website, **https://bpe-online.de/**. The site is in German and hosts essential resources including an official donation page (https://bpe-online.de/spendenkonto/), legal information (Impressum) at https://bpe-online.de/impressum/, and a privacy policy at https://bpe-online.de/datenschutz/.

On social media, the organization is active as **@bpe_online** on Twitter (since December 1, 2015) and **@bpe_ev** on Instagram. Its Facebook page is designated as BundesverbandPsychiatrieErfahrener. The BPE also runs a YouTube channel, "BPE Bundesverband Psychiatrie-Erfahrener e.V." (ID: UC5YV3AxamGNmiOJEu8eWDvg), which started on September 2, 2020. The channel has 32 subscribers, 91 videos, and a total of 4,479 views as of February 26, 2023.

### Identifiers and External Links
The Bundesverband Psychiatrie-Erfahrener is cataloged in several major library and knowledge databases. Its identifiers include:
- **GND ID**: 10066512-3
- **VIAF ID**: 134661200
- **Google Knowledge Graph ID**: /g/120xtvp1

The organization has a single sitelink on Wikipedia, in the German language.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. Bundestag Lobby Register
3. German National Library
4. [Source](https://bpe-online.de/)
5. YouTube API
6. Source