How to change the system of mental health care?

In the Czech Republic, large mental health care institutions still exist as a relic from 18th century and serve as a primary provider of care for people who face psychological issues. Currently, there is a mostly one-sided... [ view full abstract ]

In the Czech Republic, large mental health care institutions still exist as a relic from 18th century and serve as a primary provider of care for people who face psychological issues. Currently, there is a mostly one-sided emphasis on pharmacological therapy for people who suffer from psychotic disorders, despite existing large pool of opposing information, favoring psychological approaches. Therefore, systematic review of all psychotherapeutic approaches to first-episode psychosis (FEP) was conducted, comparing them with pharmacological interventions in terms of effectiveness. The results support indispensability of psychotherapeutic approaches in FEP treatment in terms of recovery, and show pharmacotherapy might be in some cases even detrimental. A table of recovery preconditions which constitute optimal approach to FEP will be presented.

Deeper roots of currently prevailing medical discourse, based on 17th century materialistic paradigm, were identified and will be discussed in contrast with holistic paradigm, which builds on findings from quantum physics. The main argument is that our prevailing view of reality is outdated, therefore the nature of psychosis is misunderstood and classical approach to psychosis treatment is dysfunctional. Reasons of reluctance to change the way of treatment might be hidden deep in collective unconscious, as a confrontation with content from psychotic experiences threatens our current understanding of ourselves. Misunderstanding of nature of consciousness as such, denial of spirituality, fear and existence of taboos (including death, mystical experiences and sex) in current psychiatry will be discussed.

How to change the current state of mental health care provision and provide a healthy alternative, which respects the whole imaginable breadth of human experience? We will present our endeavour: Project SPOLU („Together“) which grew into largest psychology students´organization, sending hundreds of students to volunteer into psychiatric hospitals across the whole country. Let´s discuss what each one of us can do to make the system better!