What is it about?
Persons who suffer from severe and persisting mental illness and a persistent death wish (chronic suicidality and/or psychiatric euthanasia request) report lowered levels of meaning, hope, empowerment and higher levels of suicidal ideation and dysfunctioning compared to 20 other groups of persons with severe mental illness. Reakiro is a walk-in, care and expertise centre in Belgium tailoring mental healthcare for this population, based on presence, existential, palliative and recovery-oriented care principles. Care users evaluate this innovative model as helping.
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Why is it important?
Care needs of persons with severe and persisting mental illness are often overlooked in care and research. This study acknowledges their suffering and shows a promising way of reaching them with diligent care.
Perspectives
This publication can increase knowledge and reduce mental health stigma. Educating ourselves about complex and heterogenic mental health issues is not optional, it's necessary to develop attuned and highly specialized care.
Thijs Vanhie
Associatie KU Leuven
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Persons suffering from severe and persistent mental illness with a persistent death wish: A cross-sectional study of the Reakiro care model, PLOS Mental Health, December 2025, PLOS,
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmen.0000486.
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