In psychiatry, sexual health often remains a taboo subject. At Vinatier, Sexotopia helps to inform, reassure and reduce risky behavior…
“I wanted to offer a space where sexuality would not be taboo, where words could circulate with respect and kindness.” At the origin of the psychoeducational program Sexotopia, developed with nursing colleagues, Barbara Durand, nurse at the Pinel Rehabilitation Center (Le Vinatier Psychiatrie universitaire Lyon métropole), evokes several observations: “In psychiatry, it is most often impossible for a resident, a user, to discuss their sexuality, which leads to emotional distress, a feeling of shame, risky behavior, and unanswered questions. However, the appearance of a psychological disorder complicates relationships with others: withdrawal, loss of self-esteem, cognitive problems, etc. These difficulties are exported into the expression of sexuality, the ability to listen and understand. of the sexuality of the other. The psychological disorder can also induce behavioral disorders, which lead to endangerment and sexual risk-taking. Furthermore, drug treatments cause sexual disorders, which can lead to poor therapeutic compliance or even cessation of treatment. All its consequences impact quality of life and weaken recovery. »
Since 2021, the psychoeducational program Sexotopia has therefore been offered in order to improve the user’s quality of life by promoting a better understanding of their emotional, intimate and sexual life. This is a multi-diagnosis workshop (schizophrenic disorder, mood disorder, autism spectrum disorder, etc.), led by a pair of caregivers, for people supported on an outpatient basis and in the process of recovery (non-sectorized). The program takes place in sessions of 8 weekly sessions lasting 3 hours (interspersed with a 10-minute break). It is aimed at mixed and closed groups of 10 participants. Sexual health, fulfillment, pleasure, meeting, consent, sexual disorders, psychological disorders and treatments, sexually transmitted diseases, contraception, risky behavior: in the form of discussion-debates, each session addresses one or more themes, with various educational tools (role plays, use of images and videos, drawings, work in subgroups, etc.). It ends with a question-and-answer game on the knowledge acquired and a satisfaction questionnaire. After 6 sessions, Sexotopia is widely acclaimed by users: 97% of them say they are satisfied and 100% recommend it to other patients.
Presented at the 2024 Psychiatry Care Team Awards, this project was voted “favorite” by the Jury.
• Contact: B. Durand, IDE, Psychoeducation Rehabilitation Center for users and families (UPP-CRP), [email protected]
