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The following is a summary of “Co-creation for the development and implementation of a competence centre for mental health in Eastern Switzerland: a participatory approach,” published in the March 2025 issue of BMC Psychiatry by Rohner et al. 

Mental health conditions are a major global concern. A competence center in Switzerland can enhance services with innovative and comprehensive care. 

Researchers conducted a retrospective study on the participatory development of a competence center in Eastern Switzerland to enhance mental health care. 

They used a participatory design and co-creation approach, engaging all stakeholders as equals. A key stakeholder group (N = 10) included people with lived experience, health professionals, researchers, educators, and decision-makers. About 4 conceptualization meetings were conducted between March 2020 and June 2021 using participatory methods and tools for collaborative engagement. 

The results showed that the participatory process created a framework for a competence center based on stakeholder needs. The 3 key areas for impact were identified: academic teaching for future health professionals, further education for current professionals, and a research agenda to enhance mental health care in Eastern Switzerland. 

Investigators developed an inclusive, practice-oriented framework for a competence center at the intersection of research, education, and practice. They demonstrated that a participatory approach supports evidence-based training, innovative care models, policy advocacy, and best practices in mental health. 

Source: bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12888-025-06703-9