Department R3 is the only specialist inpatient juvenile forensic psychiatry unit in Switzerland. It provides 11 treatment places for adolescents of all genders. The unit also admits adolescents for inpatient forensic psychiatric assessments, as well as for crisis intervention following transfer from youth prison units or secure treatment facilities across Switzerland.

In addition to specialist forensic psychiatric and psychological treatment, everyday life on the ward provides an important opportunity to develop social skills in a structured and supportive environment. Patients are encouraged to build on their strengths, address areas of difficulty and develop healthier ways of thinking and behaving. To ensure continuity of care, each adolescent is assigned a lead therapist (either a doctor or psychologist) together with a member of the nursing or social pedagogy team on admission. These professionals remain their main points of contact throughout their stay.

Young people are encouraged to take an active role in shaping daily life on the ward and to gradually develop greater responsibility for their own decisions and behaviour. They are supported by a multidisciplinary team that includes specialists in child and adolescent psychiatry, nursing, social education, psychology, occupational therapy, and a range of therapeutic disciplines.

Outpatient services are provided by the Clinic for Forensics by the The Child and Adolescent Forensic Outpatient Clinic (JAM). The clinic specialises in the assessment, forensic evaluation and outpatient treatment of children, adolescents and young adults who have offended or who present with significant behavioural or social difficulties.

More information about our departments of the Forensic Clinic can be found in German here.