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ISPS in Helsinki, June 2024

Photos by Jens Roved

ISPS in Helsinki, June 2024

Photos by Jens Roved

ISPS in Helsinki, June 2024

Photos by Jens Roved

ISPS in Perugia, September 2022

​photos from the ISPS 2022 congress in Perugia, by Jens Roved

ISPS in Perugia, September 2022

​photos from the ISPS 2022 congress in Perugia, by Jens Roved

ISPS in Perugia, September 2022

​photos from the ISPS 2022 congress in Perugia, by Jens Roved

ISPS in Perugia, September 2022

​photos from the ISPS 2022 congress in Perugia, by Jens Roved

ISPS in Perugia, September 2022

​photos from the ISPS 2022 congress in Perugia, by Jens Roved

A big thank you to the local organising committee of ISPS 2024 Helsinki for a great conference!
The 24th International Conference of the ISPS will be held in Lausanne, Switzerland, 6th-8th July 2026. Save the date - More news coming soon.

ISPS Statement about Euthanasia (27th November 2024)
 
ISPS (the International Society for Psychological and Social Approaches to Psychosis) wants to alert the world to the dangerous evolution of allowing euthanasia or assisted suicide for unbearable mental suffering caused by psychiatric conditions. This raises complex medical, ethical, and societal/political questions that cannot be considered in isolation.

Psychiatric conditions are complex and dynamic, with the potential for change and improvement always present. A strong wish to die is often the result of despair and tunnel vision, not an irreversible prognosis. The role of caregivers is to counter this despair by maintaining hope, openness to alternatives, and a warm, continuous dialogue to understand the underlying issues. Giving up hope undermines the psychiatric profession.

In countries where euthanasia is legal, it places medical professionals in an impossible position – required to both protect life and facilitate death. This contradicts the Hippocratic oath and devalues the daily struggles and life-sustaining efforts of patients and mental health workers. Euthanasia sends a “death message” to the community, going against the basic human connection and solidarity.

Suicide and euthanasia have a profound impact on the person’s close environment. Autonomy is only possible in connection with others – “real autonomy” does not exist in isolation. Assisted suicide places sole responsibility on one person and leaves loved ones in guilt. Evidence shows no reduction in actual suicide rates in countries where euthanasia is legal.

There are concerning societal/political implications as well. The presence of euthanasia as an option can create subtle or overt pressure on vulnerable patients to choose death. It shifts societal values, normalizing the idea that life is negotiable and no longer inherently valuable. This echoes the past misuse of psychiatry for eugenics and the devaluation of certain lives.

In many countries, years of underinvestment in mental health have limited the choices and support available, leading people to despair. Every person has a human right to good mental health care, not a “right” to euthanasia. Given the stigma surrounding mental illness, the state must not change the ethical code to allow doctors to facilitate harm.

As the founder of the hospice movement, Cicely Saunders said, “if nothing can be done, there is still a lot to do.” Maintaining this core principle of preserving life and human dignity is the kernel question at hand.

An ISPS webinar is being planned on this topic, to facilitate discussion on this important topic. More news coming soon.

ISPS Executive Committee
Ongoing Fundraiser

Are you able to support the fundraiser today?
The fund is to support –in particular – the participation of people with lived experience, their family members, students, and/or people living in developing countries.

We hope to raise enough funds to enable several people to take part in ISPS 2026 in Lausanne, who would not otherwise be able to do so for financial reasons.

Suggested donation:

$5 – $50 (according to your means)
Every little amount given to support the fund helps and is much appreciated

Please add the note “ISPS 2026” when donating

You can donate here

Thank you!

Welcome to ISPS

ISPS is an international organization promoting psychological and social treatments for persons with psychosis (a term which includes persons diagnosed with "schizophrenia"). We are committed to advancing education, training and knowledge of mental health professionals in the treatment and prevention of psychotic mental disorders. We seek to achieve the best possible outcomes for service user/survivors of psychosis by engaging in meaningful partnership with health professionals, people with lived experience, family members and carers.

The ISPS Charter of Good Practice in Psychological Therapies for People Experiencing Psychosis

ISPS: Our mission,
history and what we do

ISPS Publications

There are now over 30 books in the ISPS collection and several others are "in the pipeline"