Today is World Schizophrenia Day! We take this opportunity to highlight Phase 3 of our ongoing Rethinking Schizophrenia project, which assesses how individual countries can turn policy recommendations into actionable solutions.
Phase 3 of the Rethinking Schizophrenia Care Pathway project, titled “Country Profiles – the Reality Check,” will take place from 2025 to 2026 and aims to translate research-driven recommendations into actionable policy changes at both European and national levels. Building on the findings from earlier phases, this stage will develop detailed country-specific profiles using a standardised template, examining healthcare infrastructure, early intervention services, psychosocial rehabilitation, and the integration of mental health and social care. The project will emphasise a brain health approach, highlighting the critical need to address not only clinical treatment but also the social and environmental factors—such as poverty, discrimination, and housing instability—that contribute to schizophrenia risk and outcomes. Beginning with a pilot roundtable in Warsaw (Poland) during the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, this project aims to foster policy engagement, share best practices, and promote a whole-of-government commitment to prevention and integrated care. This phase will further spotlight country-specific profiles for Denmark and Germany. By focusing on youth and early intervention, and advocating for a biopsychosocial model, Phase 3 aims to shift the paradigm in schizophrenia care, ensuring better outcomes and improved quality of life for patients across Europe.
Join us in Warsaw (Poland) on Thursday 5 June 2025 for the roundtable Beyond Mental Health: A Brain Health Approach to Schizophrenia Prevention and Care! The discussions will explore how early intervention, innovative treatments and social policy reforms can reshape schizophrenia care across Europe. The event will be held under the patronage of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union and the Polish Psychiatric Association.
The aim of the roundtable is to discuss and present country-specific findings, illustrating barriers and best practices in implementing comprehensive care pathways in Poland. Experts will discuss youth-focused key policy recommendations, including early detection programs, access to innovative pharmacological and psychosocial treatments, integrated care models and digital health solutions. The roundtable will highlight the importance of addressing the quality care for child and adolescent health with a focus on brain health – the case of schizophrenia.
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.