Swiss Association of Psychiatric Trainees: Svpa-Asmap-Asap

01/08/2025

Winner of the EFPT StandOut Award, the Leadership Working Group is thrilled to announce the fourth edition of the "Growing a Psychiatrist course, a Personal and Professional Development Program" 🗣️🧠🌷designed specifically for young psychiatrists!

Dive into the Content! 💫
This 12-week program is structured into three transformative modules:
1. Focus on Self: Prioritize what matters, achieve your goals, and stand firm on your boundaries.
2. Part of a Team: Enhance communication, promote ideas, and discover team roles and group dynamics.
3. Paying it Forward: Develop leadership and coaching skills, and take the first steps to becoming a coach and facilitator.

Each session is designed to empower you both personally and professionally.

Applications open on the 1st of August. If you have any questions please contact leadership-wg@efpt.eu.

Get ready to grow! 🌱
EFPT - European Federation of Psychiatric Trainees

16/07/2025

⏳ Up to One Year of Delay: FMH Title Approvals on Hold ⏳

FMH title recognitions are currently subject to severe delays at ISFM-SIWF, in some cases up to 12 months. These ongoing administrative issues are disrupting the training paths and future careers of psychiatric trainees in Switzerland.

SVPA-ASMAP-ASAP is actively mobilised and in close contact with VSAO-ASMAC, SGPP-SSPP, ISFM-SIWF and the FMH, advocating for the rights of psychiatry trainees and demanding urgent structural solutions.

📄 In our latest article, you'll find:
• A clear explanation of what’s happening
• Our ongoing advocacy efforts on your behalf
• What you can concretely do right now

🔗 https://svpa-asmap.ch/information-on-the-current-isfm-siwf-delays/

We will continue to keep you informed, stay tuned and stay empowered.

23/06/2025

🇨🇭 Swiss Delegation at the EFPT Forum in Maastricht 🇳🇱

From 10 to 14 June, we joined the European Federation of Psychiatric Trainees (EFPT) Forum, the main annual meeting that brings together psychiatry trainees from across Europe to discuss current topics in training. This year’s edition, held in Maastricht, focused on the role of trainees in leadership and shaping training programs.

Our Swiss delegation came back proud and inspired, with a few highlights to share: a couple of awards🏅including for leadership and the photo challenge, a well-received poster presentation on our national training system, and the exciting news that SVPA-ASMAP-ASAP will co-organize the next EFPT ❄️ Winter Event!

Beyond the formal program, the Forum was a great chance to connect, exchange ideas, and represent Swiss diversity during International Night.

Huge thanks to the local organizing committee and all the amazing trainees who made this Forum truly special!
EFPT - European Federation of Psychiatric Trainees

13/05/2025

We’re excited to announce SVPA-ASMAP-ASAP’s active role in the SGPP-SSPP Congress 2025, taking place Sept 18–19 in Basel! This year’s theme: “Psyche, Human, Brain: Psychiatry at the Center” — with many keynotes and workshops 🧠✨

We’re proud to be co-organizing the official Pre-Congress — Residents’ Day — on Sept 17 at UPK Basel! 📅 This free event is designed by and for psychiatry trainees, featuring hands-on workshops, talks on ADHD, ethics, psychedelics, and a thought-provoking panel discussion 🗣️

Let’s connect 💪 See you in Basel! 🇨🇭

Link to full article: https://svpa-asmap.ch/looking-ahead-sspp-congress-and-residents-day-2025-in-basel/

11/05/2025

From April 5-8, 2025, SVPA-ASMAP-ASAP proudly participated in the European Psychiatric Association (EPA) Congress in Madrid, themed
"Towards Real-World Solutions in Mental Health." Our members engaged in symposia, workshops, and poster presentations, contributing clinical and research insights. We reconnected with colleagues from the European Federation of Psychiatric Trainees (EFPT) and participated in early-career discussions organized by the EPA Early Career Section. This event was a valuable opportunity for professional exchange and strengthening ties with European associations. We look forward to seeing our colleagues at the next edition in Prague in 2026! 🇨🇭🤝 🇪🇺

Link to full article:
https://svpa-asmap.ch/svpa-asmap-asap-at-epa-2025-in-madrid/

30/12/2024

Dr. Edgar Céléreau already holds a rich experience in psychiatry and neurology as a trainee and is currently involved in a MD-PhD program in psychiatric neuroscience, under a scholarship of the University of Lausanne.
In the ALPFF (the French-speaking Association of Swiss psychiatric trainees) as co-president and in the Lausanne MD-PhD association, he uses his enthusiasm and outspokenness for the promotion of academic career for medical students and residents. Driven by a bold vision of joining neuroscience and the psychodynamic understanding to map the complexities of the human mind, his clear understanding of the institutions and talent for mediation makes him a perfect advocate for academic psychiatry.
We are happy to have him join the SVPA-ASMAP board this year as Vice-president, where he is already busy helping organize the next Pre-congress for psychiatric trainees!

24/11/2024

💡 European Federation of Psychiatric Trainees (EFPT) Collaboration! 💡

The EFPT Leadership Working Group is thrilled to announce our 2nd webinar of the year:

📅 Date: 11th December 2024
🕖 Time: 7 PM CET
🎯 Title: Working with Psychiatric Nurses – Lead or Lose Your Sanity

Join us for an engaging discussion featuring:
🗣 Mr. Julien Martinez – Advanced Practice Nurse and PhD candidate at the CHU Clermont-Ferrand Psychiatric and Forensic Unit, France
🗣 Dr. Sofia Aragão – Psychiatry Resident at CHUV Lausanne University Hospital, Switzerland, Committee member SVPA-ASMAP and ALPPF

This session will dive into the intricate dynamics of collaboration between doctors and nurses in psychiatry. Through open dialogue and the exchange of unique perspectives, we aim to:
✅ Enhance teamwork
✅ Improve patient care
✅ Address the challenges specific to mental health settings

Join us on zoom for this amazing webinar!

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84156009213?pwd=0cGk4JUHmIP3wdNYzrjV2V7tPMoAVx.1

17/11/2024

SVPA-ASMAP-ASAP at Medifuture 2024: Last week, our committee proudly represented psychiatry at Medifuture, the career congress organized by VSAO-ASMAC in Bern🇨🇭. We showcased psychiatry’s training pathway, shared insights with students and young doctors, and connected with other specialties at this vibrant event ✨Highlights included interactive stands, inspiring presentations, and even a contest that gave students a “taste” of psychiatry! 🥸Medifuture is more than a career fair—it’s a space for candid conversations, networking, and exploring diverse career paths in Swiss medicine. SVPA-ASMAP-ASAP is proud to be part of this dynamic medical community. To all future trainees: we’re here to support your journey to the title. Let’s keep building the future of mental health together! 💪

12/11/2024

Dr. Widiane Laoun is a 2nd year psychiatry resident currently working at CHUV, Lausanne.
Originally from Lebanon and having grown up and studied in Romania, graduating finally at the Lebanese American University, she stands out for her incredible adaptability and communicative optimism. Driven by her love of people and dedication to the community , she has been involved in youth organisations and students associations since her teenage years.
She is co-author of "Roadmap to psychiatry", a concise and easy to understand textbook for medical students and beginner psychiatrists, currently under revision for a 2nd edition.
Now happily installed in Switzerland, learning and enjoying more and more psychiatry and psychotherapy, with a preference for Cognitive and Behavioral Therapy, she is responsible for the social events of the ALPPF and an enthusiastic new board member of SVPA-ASMAP.

11/11/2024

Dr. Sofia Aragão, General Secretary of SVPA-ASMAP-ASAP

Originally from Portugal, Sofia Aragão's natural curiosity was a driving force in shaping a rich and diverse medical training. After studying at the University of Santiago de Compostela in Spain, completed by a year in Brazil, she started her career in Internal Medicine in Switzerland before finally discovering her true calling in Psychiatry, specifically Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. She is currently in her fourth year of specialization in CHUV, the Lausanne University Hospital. Alongside her medical career, Sofia is a dedicated advocate for mental health. As an active member of the VSAO-ASMAC committee in the canton of Vaud, she brings a forward-thinking vision to the table. In October 2024, she stepped into her role as General Secretary of SVPA-ASMAP. Known for her dynamic approach, Sofia is recognized for her collaborative energy and ability to inspire those around her.

08/10/2024

The SVPA-ASMAP-ASAP Board members got together this week-end in Lausanne for the annual retreat and General Assembly 🇨🇭This week-end was the opportunity to review the achievements of the year, align our vision for the coming term and learn together through workshops and an inspiring visit to the museum of Outsider Art (Collection de l’Art Brut)🖼️

A new board with 10 members was elected and is ready to take on this year’s many projects ! We are particularly proud to have increased the Romandie’s representation in the board.

We will strive in the coming year to continue bringing support and information to psychiatric trainees across Switzerland, in all 3 languages, and support our career development. In doing so, we hope Switzerland and the people in need of psychiatric care will be provided with well-rounded, well-trained and supportive psychiatrists for many years!

Check our new website SVPA-ASMAP.ch to keep in touch and get access to useful ressources for your training! 💪 👩‍⚕️👨🏽‍⚕️👩🏼‍⚕️👩🏽‍⚕️👨‍⚕️👨🏽‍⚕️💪🌍

01/10/2024

🖋️Dear SVPA-ASMAP-ASAP members,

Another year has passed, and we are delighted to invite you to our annual General Assembly on the 6th of October in Lausanne. We understand that attending in person might be challenging for some, so for those who cannot join us on-site, we will provide an online link accessible through our website and social media channels.

The General Assembly is a key opportunity for psychiatric trainees from across Switzerland to come together, discuss how we can enhance our training and working conditions, and share our passion for our profession. This year has been filled with significant events for our association, and we have achieved objectives that would not have been possible without our collective efforts. The Residents’ Day at our national congress for adult psychiatry is just one example of what we can accomplish together.

If you haven't yet, we encourage you to visit our new website, where you will find more information about our activities, as well as all the details you need regarding your training:
https://svpa-asmap.ch

We firmly believe that by continuing to work together, we can further improve both our association and our training. Your support is therefore crucial! You can find more information and the participation link for the online meeting in the attachment.

We look forward to seeing many of you, whether in person or virtually, on Sunday, 6th October at 10 am.

Wishing you a wonderful week,

Yours sincerely,

Filippo Toni, President
Violette Corre, General Secretary

The SVPA-ASMAP-ASAP-SAPT is the Swiss Association of Psychiatric Trainees and was founded in September 2009. Aims of the association are to improve psychiatric training in Switzerland, to create personal and professional networks and to represent trainee positions in relevant other organizations, su...