What is 'public' about mental illness, and what is special about the societal mandate of public care for people with mental health issues compared to other physical illnesses? What roles do various actors such as health insurance companies, municipalities at the state or federal level, outpatient or inpatient services play in the prevention, care, and rehabilitation of people with mental illnesses? How can psychiatric care be improved in terms of patient orientation, access, coordination, and effectiveness? Where are the limitations, and how can they be overcome? This work provides a comprehensive overview of the management of psychiatric care and illustrates with concrete examples how the care is currently shaped and influenced by the various stakeholders (integrated care, social psychiatric networks, forensic treatment, quality assurance, or psychiatric reimbursement).