Jérôme Favrod, Chairman of the Scientific Committee of the Swiss Society of Social Psychiatry, Goumoens-la-Ville
This brief review offers a very quick summary of the results of research in social psychiatry based on my Web of Science 2024 alerts. I have divided the review by topic to make it easier to read, with a summary of the studies and their implications for practice. Swiss teams working in social psychiatry are highlighting innovative research into care, housing support, socio-professional integration and modern clinical practices. They also highlight a collective effort to reduce coercive practices, strengthen social inclusion and adapt interventions to the specific needs of patients and their families. This mini-review seeks to highlight the clinical, economic and political implications of research into social psychiatry.
Comparison of independent supported housing models with institutional housing for people with severe mental illness, showing significant improvements in quality of life and reduced costs with supported housing (Adamus, Motteli, Jager, & Richter, 2024) . This longitudinal study compares two housing approaches for people with severe mental disorders. In independent supported housing, participants live in self-contained flats with regular support provided by professionals. In institutional housing, individuals reside in facilities offering supervised care in a community setting. The results show that participants benefiting from independent supported housing report a better quality of life, greater satisfaction and a greater sense of autonomy than those living in institutions. Independent housing proved less costly in the long term, due to the reduced need for intensive care and more efficient use of resources. Residents of supported housing show greater psychological and social stability, thanks in particular to an environment that is closer to the ordinary way of life. The results support the idea that supported housing should be encouraged to promote the autonomy and integration of people with severe mental disorders. This requires personalised support to ensure the regular presence of carers to provide support tailored to the individual needs of residents, while avoiding excessive dependency. Policies promoting supported housing could reduce healthcare system expenditure while improving clinical and social outcomes.
A meta-analysis on the job preferences of people with mental disorders, showing a strong desire to work in competitive environments (Adamus, Richter, Sutor, Zuercher, & Moetteli, 2024) . This meta-analysis examines the occupational preferences of people with mental disorders. The results reveal that the majority of individuals wish to work in competitive rather than protected environments. These preferences are motivated by a need for autonomy, self-esteem and social integration. This highlights the importance of promoting strategies to facilitate access to the mainstream labour market.
Adapting programmes such as Individual Placement and Support for people with borderline personality disorder (Dunand, Golay, Bonsack, Spagnoli, & Pomini, 2024) . This qualitative study explores the adaptation of the IPS programme, which is aimed at vocational integration, for people with borderline personality disorder. The researchers identified necessary adjustments, such as increased support in managing emotions and interpersonal relationships and flexible interventions to respond to fluctuations in symptoms. The results show that IPS, when adapted, appears to be an effective strategy for this population, increasing their commitment and their chances of success.
Both studies highlight the strong desire of individuals with mental disorders to participate actively in mainstream employment, which goes beyond the sheltered environments often proposed. Flexibility and adaptation of support programmes, such as IPS, are essential to meet the specific needs of different populations (e.g. borderline personality disorder). This work shows the need to promote policies for occupational inclusion that strengthen individual skills while raising awareness among employers. It also seems useful to integrate therapeutic approaches into employment programmes to meet the emotional and relational needs of participants.
Impact of seclusion on the mental health of inpatients (Baggio, Kaiser, & Wullschleger, 2024) . This study explores the impact of seclusion on psychiatric inpatients. The results show significant negative consequences, in particular a worsening of the mental state of the patients concerned. These results call into question the effectiveness of seclusion as a therapeutic tool.
This study examines how the attitudes of professionals influence the perceptions of involuntarily hospitalised patients. The researchers identify participatory decision-making and the perception of fairness as key factors in reducing the feeling of coercion. Solutions such as improved communication processes and greater patient involvement in decision-making are proposed.
(Richter, 2024) . Richter analyses five criteria for legitimising coercive measures in psychiatry, such as therapeutic efficacy and the restoration of autonomy. None of these justifications finds empirical or ethical support. The author concludes that coercive interventions should be abandoned and replaced by an exclusively voluntary system.
All three studies point to negative impacts, both for patients (psychological sequelae, sense of injustice) and for the healthcare system (loss of confidence). The solutions proposed include a patient-centred approach, improved communication and the implementation of non-coercive strategies such as community care or active patient participation. This body of work rejects the traditional justifications for coercion, reinforcing the idea of a transition towards voluntary models of care that respect human rights.
Efforts to optimise care pathways for young people at high clinical risk of psychosis (Bailey et al., 2024) . Bailey et al (2024) examined initiatives to improve care pathways for young people identified as being at high risk of developing psychosis. The focus was on early access to specialist services and care coordination. These efforts have shown improved patient engagement and reduced delays to treatment.
Studies on gender differences and factors influencing recovery at three years after a first psychotic episode (Salvade et al., 2024) . This article explores gender differences and factors influencing recovery three years after a first psychotic episode. The results show that men and women have distinct trajectories, with specific needs in terms of care. These differences highlight the importance of developing therapeutic strategies adapted to gender.
Coping profiles of parents and siblings of people with schizophrenia (Plessis, Rexhaj, Golay, & Wilquin, 2024) . This study explores the coping strategies of parents and siblings of people with schizophrenia. The parents favoured emotional approaches, while the siblings adopted problem-solving strategies. Parents, who are often more involved, have higher levels of stress, highlighting the need for differentiated support programmes.
Challenges in supporting family carers and suggestions for practical improvements (Van, Rexhaj, Coloni-Terrapon, Alves, & Skuza, 2024) . The identified a significant gap between the support needed and that actually offered to family carers. Challenges include a lack of training, a high emotional and physical burden, and insufficient institutional support. The authors recommend educational workshops, increased access to psychological support, and better collaboration between carers and professionals.
Stand-up educational models to improve understanding of mental health problems (Bonsack et al., 2024) . This pilot study explores an innovative educational model based on stand-up principles, combining humour and emotional experiences to teach health professionals about mental health problems. The approach enhances emotional and cognitive understanding of mental disorders, improving participants’ ability to interpret patients’ experiences. The use of humour and interactive experiences increases learner engagement and promotes better retention of the concepts taught. Professionals who have undergone this training feel more comfortable discussing sensitive subjects with patients and colleagues.
Priorities for nursing research in Switzerland, highlighting global and local needs (Stadtmann et al., 2024) . This study, which I am reviewing from the perspective of social psychiatry, presents an update of the nursing research agenda in Switzerland, carried out through a participatory process involving professionals, patients and decision-makers. It identifies areas for research in the following fields:
This agenda also aims to promote interdisciplinary collaboration to address complex issues and actively involve patients in research projects to maximise their relevance.
These two studies focus on teaching methods and research areas that meet the current needs of professionals and patients. Stand-up and participatory consultations promote a better understanding of mental health issues and nursing priorities. This work highlights the need to integrate approaches specific to Switzerland, while taking account of global trends in health and training.
In conclusion, the 2024 harvest of scientific work in social psychiatry is of excellent quality. This is only a selection of the published work, which aims to show current trends. The articles are published in open access, which shows the value of sharing research results with the community.
Adamus, C., Motteli, S., Jager, M., & Richter, D. (2024). Independent Supported Housing vs institutional housing rehabilitation settings for non-homeless individuals with severe mental illness – longitudinal results from an observational study. Bmc Psychiatry, 24(1). doi:10.1186/s12888-024-05995-7
Adamus, C., Richter, D., Sutor, K., Zuercher, S. J., & Moetteli, S. (2024). Preference for Competitive Employment in People with Mental Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Proportions. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation. doi:10.1007/s10926-024-10192-0
Baggio, S., Kaiser, S., & Wullschleger, A. (2024). Effect of Seclusion on Mental Health Status in Hospitalized Psychiatric Populations: A Trial Emulation using Observational Data. Evaluation & the Health Professions, 47(1), 3-10. doi:10.1177/01632787231164489
Bailey, B., Solida, A., Andreou, C., Plessen, K. J., Conus, P., Mercapide, M., . . Armando, M. (2024). Pathways to care in youth and young adults at clinical high risk for psychosis in Switzerland: Current situation and clinical implementation of the PsyYoung project. Early Intervention in Psychiatry, 18(11), 960-967. doi:10.1111/eip.13540
Bonsack, C., Favrod, J., Berney, A., Sohrmann, M., Frobert, L., & Nguyen, A. (2024). Stand-up-comedy inspired experiential learning for connecting emotions and cognitions in healthcare education: A pilot study. Innovations in Education and Teaching International, 61(2), 385-397. doi:10.1080/14703297.2022.2159853
Cruz, G. V., Aboujaoude, E., Rochat, L., Bianchi-Demicheli, F., & Khazaal, Y. (2024). Online dating: predictors of problematic tinder use. Bmc Psychology, 12(1). doi:10.1186/s40359-024-01566-3
Dunand, N., Golay, P., Bonsack, C., Spagnoli, D., & Pomini, V. (2024). Good psychiatric management for borderline personality disorder: A qualitative study of its implementation in a supported employment team. Plos One, 19(3). doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0299514
Morandi, S., Silva, B., Pauli, G., Martinez, D., Bachelard, M., Bonsack, C., & Golay, P. (2024). How do decision making and fairness mediate the relationship between involuntary hospitalisation and perceived coercion among psychiatric inpatients? Journal of Psychiatric Research, 173, 98-103. doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2024.03.017
Plessis, L., Rexhaj, S., Golay, P., & Wilquin, H. (2024). Coping profiles of family caregivers of people with schizophrenia: differentiations between parent and sibling caregivers. Journal of Mental Health, 33(2), 244-252. doi:10.1080/09638237.2022.2156986
Richter, D. (2024). Coercive Measures in Psychiatry Can Hardly Be Justified in Principle Any Longer-Ethico-Legal Requirements Versus Empirical Research Data and Conceptual Issues. Journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing. doi:10.1111/jpm.13129
Salvade, A., Golay, P., Abrahamyan, L., Bonnarel, V., Solida, A., Alameda, L., . . Conus, P. (2024). Gender differences in first episode psychosis: Some arguments to develop gender specific treatment strategies. Schizophrenia Research, 271, 300-308. doi:10.1016/j.schres.2024.07.046
Stadtmann, M. P., Bischofberger, I., Balice-Bourgois, C., Bianchi, M., Burr, C., Fierz, K., . . Zigan, N. (2024). Setting new priorities for nursing research: The updated Swiss Nursing Research Agenda-a systematic, participative approach. International Nursing Review, 71(3). doi:10.1111/inr.12937
Van, K. L., Rexhaj, S., Coloni-Terrapon, C., Alves, M., & Skuza, K. (2024). Informal caregivers in adult psychiatry: Is there a (mis)match between the support needed and the support offered? Sante Publique, 36(2). doi:10.3917/spub.242.0045