Psychological well-being
Mental well-being in Switzerland and among the youth
In recent years, Switzerland has faced a significant increase in mental health issues. The growing number of individuals experiencing mental disorders continues to rise each year, making it important to reflect on possible solutions to ensure the mental well-being of the population.
+ 16%
Increase of 16% in 2021 in outpatient psychiatric treatments provided in hospitals
74%
Of the Swiss population, 90% believes that mental well-being is as important as physical well-being
48%
Of the Swiss population, 90% believes that mental well-being is as important as physical well-being
Challenges of youth mental well-being
The mental well-being of young people might be threatened by various factors, including anxiety related to social and academic expectations, stress from an excessive workload, and technological dependence, especially on social media and video games. Educating about anxiety and stress management strategies, as well as promoting a balanced use of technology, is essential to preserve the mental health of young people in a modern context.
See also the local project on digital awareness
University Psychological Counseling Centers
USI in Ascolto is a free service provided by  Università della Svizzera italiana (USI) that offers individual support to students, faculty, and administrative staff. Promoted by Servizio Pari Opportunità , it focuses on welcoming and listening to the personal, relational, or social challenges that members of the USI community may face. Counseling sessions guide individuals in understanding their difficulties and developing strategies to overcome them.
SUPSI provides a counseling and psychological support service for the community, offering assistance on personal, relational, and professional issues related to the university environment. This service ensures a welcoming, non-judgmental, and completely confidential environment.
Franklin offers its students psychological support in several languages through the health and wellness coordinator, who facilitates appointments and referrals to specialists. University counselling is available with a qualified clinical psychologist.
Access to Psychotherapy in Switzerland
The Swiss Federal Council has made a significant decision to simplify access to psychotherapy for those facing mental health issues. This step forward aims to make access to psychotherapy services more accessible, reducing supply difficulties for children, adolescents, and adults in crisis situations.
The new prescription-based approach promises faster access compared to previous systems. For each medical prescription, a maximum of 15 sessions is allowed, covered by basic health insurance.
Documents related to mental health in Switzerland
Online psychological support services
Young4HelpChat is an active and successful project. The counseling chat is managed by young people between the ages of 15 and 25 and offers free and anonymous support. Thanks to this anonymous chat, Young Help Chat aims to reduce the embarrassment that can arise when discussing personal problems.
SafeZone provides free and anonymous online counseling on addiction for those directly involved, family members, friends, professionals, and those interested. Developed in collaboration with the Federal Office of Public Health and Infodrog, the Safezone service offers the opportunity to request counseling, access frequently asked questions, and ask questions publicly.
Aepsy is committed to providing effective support based on authentic trust between users and therapists. Through a rigorous selection process and an advanced algorithm, qualified experts are matched to individuals’ specific needs to ensure swift and targeted support, both online and in person. With access from any location and at any time, Aepsy facilitates the search and booking of certified Swiss psychologists and psychotherapists, also offering in-person sessions when necessary. The platform ensures the confidentiality of conversations through encryption and is accessible to everyone.
Guida Psicologi is an online portal where users can access an extensive list of psychologists and psychotherapists, categorized and divided by city and specialization.
In-person psychological support: hospitals, clinics, and associations
Ente ospedaliero del Canton Ticino is a state-owned company that manages public hospitals, focusing its mission on providing quality healthcare services with particular attention to psychological aspects. It offers specialized counseling for psychiatric and psychological disorders concurrent with somatic disorders, emergency interventions for acute psychiatric issues, and supportive therapies during hospitalization and on an outpatient basis. Additionally, it contributes to the training of physicians and healthcare staff in psychiatry and medical psychology, promoting research in the field of psychosocial medicine.
Organizzazione Sociopsichiatrica Cantonale represents the state entity of  Ticino that coordinates all public facilities for the management of psychiatric patients. The central services of the OSC (Cantonal Psychiatric Services) organize and supervise medical, care, and rehabilitation activities for psychiatric patients. Among the services offered are those dedicated to minors, such as medical-psychological services and psycho-educational centers, while for adults and the elderly, there are day centers, psychosocial services, psychiatry and medical psychology services, in addition to the cantonal psychiatric clinic. The OSC also manages a documentation and research center focused on psychiatric statistics.
Clinica Psiche boasts a team of numerous mental health professionals, including psychiatrists and psychotherapists, dedicated to treating mental disorders in individuals of all ages, from early childhood to old age. Individual attention to each patient is ensured through the formation of specialized micro-teams.
The medical practice Rete Operativa is an organization that provides services in the psychosocial and medical-psychological field.
Associazione Mise was founded in 2006 as a non-profit organization, aims to connect students seeking academic assistance with university or high school students willing to provide remedial lessons throughout the year. The main goal of these courses is to reinforce skills acquired during the year, introduce new concepts, and provide study strategies, while also offering the opportunity to make new friends.
Associazione TI rispetto aims to primarily raise awareness and understanding on issues such as bullying and cyberbullying. Additionally, it addresses topics like technological dependencies by promoting an educational approach to the media used. Its mission is to provide a platform that offers information, support, and guidance to anyone in need, without age limits. Moreover, the association is committed to promoting pro-social behaviors through various activities and implementing prevention and education programs.
Mastermind is a student association dedicated to promoting the personal growth of students, supporting them in improving their skills, and aiding in the transition from university life to the professional world, all with a particular focus on individual well-being.
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ACE Swiss Events is an association for the communication of events for students and other types of gatherings.
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Cultura e salute is an association born from a collaboration between the Culture Division of the City of Lugano and the IBSA Foundation. The association aims to enhance artistic and cultural practices that contribute to the improvement of individual and collective physical and mental well-being. The initiative seeks to create a closer interaction between the cultural and health sectors to humanize care, improve societal well-being, and contribute to the quality of life through the use of arts and culture.
