The term “Slow Psychiatry” was invented by the American psychiatrist Sandra Steingard. It arose in the context of her “Open Dialogue” work, and was inspired by the Italian “Slow Food” movement in the 1980s, which was a protest against the industrialization of what we eat and how we eat it. Today’s psychiatry, and mental health in general, are largely dehumanized fields, which are owned and governed by technocrats and bureaucrats. This leaves therapies devoid of values, and focused on “sticking-plaster” remedies and returning “sick people” to the neoliberal jungle. There is no time or interest to understand the pain and suffering, to listen to personal stories, or to know their contexts. Numbers and metrics – symptom questionnaire scores, prevalence rates, hospital beds, employment rates and disability benefits – have become more important than relationships between us, connecting people with each other, and nurturing as a vital part of healing. In the 5th International Meeting and associated events you will hear challenging but well-evidenced critiques of the mainstream mental health system. You will engage in debates and experiential work that will challenge your current view, or expand on your current ideas. The International Mental Health Meeting can be attended in person or online. Various events will take place from Monday 15th to Saturday 20th of April – join us in building a dialogic, democratic and relational mental health system that is respectful of human rights.

Keynote speakers

-Democratic drug treatment in mental health: principles and practise, by Joanna Moncrieff, Division of Psychiatry, University College London

-Why the medical model of Psychosis is so unhelpful, by John Read, University of East London

-How to Create Compassionate and Relational Mental Health Services, by Russel Razzaque, North East London NHS Foundation Trust (Online)

Workshops

- Psychodance - Ana Cruz and Gonzalo Negrera

- Psychedelic-assisted therapy - João Ribeiro and João da Fonseca

Registration: https://congress2024.fundacaords.org/registration/

CALL FOR ABSTRACTS
DEADLINE: 01st of February 2024

https://congress2024.fundacaords.org/cfa/

LLE - Living Learning Experience 15th, 16th and 17th April 2024 | Rio Moment´s – Country House Paiva Valley (Porto)

The Living Learning Experience is a 3-day intensive experiential residential training course. It takes place entirely in groups, and is run as a structured programme of activities in a democratic and non-hierarchical framework. Participants explore the experience of working closely with others, and learn how to use relationships effectively in clinical practice. During the course participants have the opportunity to:
-Take part in community meetings, small, large and work groups, and other activities involved in a residential community
-Meet with colleagues and share work experience
-Think about how they relate to others, and safely experiment with new ways of thinking and behaving

INDTC-RP Conference Relational Practice Around the World: Why it is important today 20th

April 2024 (Porto - Portugal) The INDTC-RP Conference can be attended in person or online.

How to register: https://registration.indtc.org/

Contact: [email protected]

https://congress2024.fundacaords.org/