As a first glimpse into the second phase of the “Rethinking Schizophrenia’ project, this brief policy report provides an introduction to the ‘Optimising the Schizophrenia Care Pathway’ project, as well as the resulting policy recommendations.

This report, a collaborative effort from the European Brain Council (EBC) and the European Psychiatric Association (EPA), builds directly on the previous ‘Beyond the Voices’ Policy Report released in March 2024 and examines the care pathway of schizophrenia.

About Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia, a paradigmatic psychotic disorder, remains one of the most complex mental health conditions to manage. With typical onset in late teens and early adolescence, it profoundly impacts the lives of young people and their families across Europe. The burden of schizophrenia extends far beyond clinical symptoms, encompassing significant disruptions of social relationships, education, and employment. Data from the Global Burden of Disease Study highlights its status as one of the top 20 causes of years lived with disability worldwide (Lancet Psychiatry, 2024). Among those affected, 70%–90% encounter employment challenges and stable housing remains an unmet need for many (Gowda et al, 2022). Despite significant advances in treatment, the pathways to effective care remain fraught with barriers and difficult-to treat symptoms, such as persistent negative symptoms and cognitive deficits, still pose a therapeutic challenge and significantly interfere with functional recovery.

About the Rethinking Schizophrenia Second Phase

By collecting information from over 200 health practitioners, this project conducted an in-depth analysis of patient care pathways across nine European countries (Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Spain and the UK), aiming to define specific strategies to advance the prevention and treatment of schizophrenia. Results highlight the urgent need for a more coordinated and multidisciplinary care approach to schizophrenia care, which fed into these policy recommendations of the report.

Three key priorities are highlighted for enhancing schizophrenia care:

• Early assessment and intervention

The healthcare system faces critical challenges in providing timely and effective care, with fragmentation, regional resource disparities and persistent stigma creating significant barriers to mental health treatment. These systemic issues demand immediate attention to reduce the duration of untreated psychosis, improve clinical neuropsychological assessments, and develop more integrated, patient-centred care approaches.

• Continuity of care and shared decision-making

The survey underscores the critical importance of continuity of care in managing schizophrenia, highlighting how poor coordination during transitions between care settings can disrupt treatment and support. It also emphasises the vital role of shared decision-making, stressing the need to actively involve patients and their families in management plans to foster trust, improve adherence and enhance outcomes.

• A recovery approach in the treatment journey

Recovery in schizophrenia extends beyond symptom relief to focus on quality of life, social inclusion and personal empowerment through a biopsychosocial approach. By integrating second-generation antipsychotics with tailored psychosocial interventions such as cognitive-behavioural therapy, vocational training and family support, this paradigm shift aims to address the disorder’s complexities, promote functional recovery, and improve overall well-being. Further efforts are needed to embed these principles into routine care.

The full report, including the research study, will be released soon. Follow us on our social media and sign up to receive our newsletter to stay up to date with the latest news!

This project was supported with a grant from Boehringer Ingelheim. The company was not involved in the research nor in the drafting of the report. All outputs are nonpromotional and not specific to any treatment or therapy.