The University Psychiatric Clinics Basel (UPK) are among the leading psychiatric clinics in Switzerland, with around 1,200 employees. As part of the public healthcare system of Basel-Stadt, they provide high-quality psychiatric and psychotherapeutic care for adults, children and adolescents.

UPK are recognised throughout Switzerland as pioneers of open psychiatry. In recognition of this approach, the Clinic for Adults received the «Innovation Qualité»-award from the FMH (Swiss Medical Association), which highlights projects that advance the quality of the Swiss healthcare system.

The four specialised clinics – the Clinic for Adults (UPKE), the Children and Adolescent Clinic (UPKKJ), the Forensic Clinic (UPKF) and the Private Clinic (UPKP) – together provide more than 300 inpatient beds, as well as a wide range of outpatient and day-clinic services. UPK are also strongly established in the field of home treatment.

High Patient Satisfaction and Awards
The Handelszeitung ranked UPK as the best psychiatric clinic in German-speaking Switzerland among 280 hospitals. With a five-star rating, UPK are also among the highest-rated EFQM-certified hospitals in the country.

Patients have consistently given excellent feedback for treatment quality over many years. This is reflected in the annual patient satisfaction surveys conducted by the ANQ in adult psychiatry.

Strong in Research, Teaching and Training
Thanks to their close affiliation with the University of Basel, UPK are well connected in the fields of research, diagnostics, treatment and care, and benefit from a broad scientific foundation. The clinics develop innovative therapeutic approaches and offer a full spectrum of inpatient, day-clinic, outpatient and outreach services.

Numerous internationally renowned researchers at UPK conduct research into topics including psychosis, depression, the gut-brain axis, eating disorders, resilience, chronobiology, long covid, addiction disorders, forensic psychiatry, psychedelic-assisted therapy, and the mental health of children and adolescents. UPK are recognised both nationally and internationally for their expertise.

UPK support not only the next generation of academics, but also young professionals in nursing, medicine and administration. Around 110 young people are currently completing their apprenticeships at UPK.

Information and Public Engagement
UPK specialists are actively engaged in sharing their knowledge with the public. They publish academic and non-fiction books such as Das Basler Trackkonzept (Psychiatrie), Resilienz (Kohlhammer), Die Illusion der Vernunft (Ullstein), and Tiergestützte Interventionen in der Psychiatrie (Psychiatrie), and regularly participate in lectures and public discussions.

Through the «Mensch.Psyche»-event series, UPK host public events twice a year focusing on socially relevant topics related to mental health. In 2026, UPK also launched the gender-specific podcast «Frau.Psyche». Through these initiatives, UPK and their experts strengthen dialogue with the wider community and help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health.

New Services for a Changing Society
UPK continuously develop their services in response to social change and emerging needs. One example is the Early Intervention Day Clinic (FIT), a specialised programme for adolescents and young adults aged 15 to 25. It supports individuals with depression, anxiety disorders, emotional regulation difficulties, early psychotic disorders or unclear diagnoses.

UPK have also expanded the partial inpatient parent-child programme (ELKI), which supports families with children aged four to ten, where psychological stress within the family plays a central role.

Additional specialised centres on the UPK campus include the Crisis Intervention Unit (KIS) and the Outpatient Addiction Service (SAM). Another important point of contact is the UPK walk-in outpatient-clinic on Kornhausgasse in the centre of Basel.

In summer 2026, UPK plan to launch «ansprechbar», a low-threshold peer support service for young people in Basel. An evening clinic for working adults is also in development.

In autumn 2026, UPK Basel will celebrate their 140th anniversary – and will remain committed to making an important contribution to the mental health and recovery of people in Basel and the surrounding region in the years ahead.

Nathan Keiser, CEO

Further information can be found in the press release (in German) and the 2025 financial report (in German).