Introduction. Schizophrenia is a chronic disease which results in a relevant disability in social functioning of patients. The disease is characterized by a distinctive economic burden for patients, their families and entire society. Despite a compound clinical image of the disease, a complex and individualized therapy has more and more positive effects and influences cost effect of treatment process. Aim. The aim of the study was to compare schemes of non‑pharmacological therapy applied in hospitals in Kiel (Germany), Poznan (Poland) and in Lviv (Ukraine). Material and methods. The study was conducted from January 2011 to October 2013. On a basis of 158 hospital records schemes of non‑pharmacological therapy applied to patients in Poznan, Kiel and Lviv have been compared. Results. In all studied centres patients have been treated with non‑pharmacological therapy, however, changes between hospitals have been observed. In Poznan and Kiel, comparing to Lviv, applied therapy was more complex and systemized. Limitations stemmed from an existing system of functioning and funding of psychiatric care in Ukraine. Despite this fact, doctors from Lviv aimed to optimize the treatment process and such non‑pharmacological activities as daily co‑educational classrooms had a sufficient positive impact, what was also observed in Kiel. Conclusions. In all hospital centres schemes of non‑pharmacological therapy have been applied. Nevertheless, in Lviv non‑pharmacological activities were not as complex and systemized as in Kiel and Poznan. In a long run, it should be aimed to invest into a complex treatment since it indubitably improves the effectiveness of treatment.

Key words: schizophrenia, non‑pharmacological treatment, costs.