Introducing the new culture section of BJPsych Bulletin

Abstract

SummaryThis editorial launches the new culture section in the journal. Without any unchallengeable definition of ‘culture’, potential contributors may consider submissions under four headings: the arts and humanities relating to practice; regulatory culture; becoming a cultured practitioner; and psychiatry's cultural context. A new article type, ‘Cultural reflections’, has been created, and submissions may reflect any appropriate methodology, including those from the arts. Peer review (from methodologies outside psychiatry if appropriate) will assure quality. Our objectives are to establish BJPsych Bulletin as the ‘journal of record’ for cultural studies relevant to psychiatric service delivery and demonstrate equivalent quality between them and scientific studies.

EDIFY (Eating Disorders: Delineating Illness and Recovery Trajectories to Inform Personalised Prevention and Early Intervention in Young People): project outline

“…This involves a rapprochement and interchange between arts and humanities on the one hand and psychiatry, psychology and neuroscience on the other. 26 Through adopting such a transdisciplinary, holistic approach, EDIFY aims to transform eating disorder detection, prevention, treatment and services, with the potential for step change in policy and practice for young people with eating disorders. Ultimately, our ambition is that EDIFY's research developments will reshape the public and professional understanding of eating disorders to be more informed, inclusive and hopeful.…”

Art and psychiatry in the 21st century: here's to more messy – and magical – entanglements

“…Art – like culture or baldness 2 – escapes easy definition. But can art help to raise the visibility of mental processes – literally and metaphorically – and reveal new insights into them?…”

“…We are at an exciting juncture of multiplicity, fluidity and new possibilities with regard to culture, art and psychiatry. BJPsych Bulletin 's entry into the conversation with a new culture section 2 is belated. This will be critical, particularly amid a volatile world in a period of multiple crises, and amid a projected upsurge in mental illnesses globally as an aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.…”