In the study reported here, we investigated factors associated with the economic situation in 1,131 patients in psychiatric care, belonging to different diagnostic groups (schizophrenia, major affective disorders, neurotic disorders and personality disorders). Thirty-nine per cent of all patients receiving treatment for psychiatric problems perceived their economic situation to be poor. Schizophrenic patients most often (67%) perceived their economic situation to be good. Patients with personality disorders most often (49%) perceived it to be poor. On logistic regression analysis of the study population, there was an independent association explaining a poor economic situation for reasons being unemployed or on sick leave (OR 2.70, 95 % confidence interval 2.02 - 3.60), having professional education (OR 1.73, 95 % confidence interval 1.31 - 2.28), smoking (OR 2.43, 95 % confidence interval 1.84 - 3.22) or Beck Depression Inventory score (OR 1.08, 95 % confidence interval 1.06 - 1.10). Those with poor economic situation were uncertain about their future and assessed received social support to be inadequate. Care providers often considered the psychiatric care of these individuals to be problematic. There were some differences between diagnostic groups and genders concerning associations between poor economic situation and education, age and smoking. In conclusion, associations between economic situation and mental well-being could be found in this cross-sectional study of psychiatric patients. However, we need prospective follow-up studies to better understand their clinical importance.