Lettre d'appui du Pr. Stijn Vanheule

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Support for The 388: A Letter of Endorsement

 Dear M. Lionel Carmant,

As a professor of clinical psychology at Ghent University (Belgium), I am writing to express my strong support for the continued operation and preservation of The 388 (Center for the Psychoanalytic Treatment of Young Adult Psychotics) in Quebec City. I join a growing number of professionals worldwide who are deeply concerned about the closure of this institution, which would have significant repercussions not only for the many individuals who rely on its innovative services but also the field of mental health care more broadly.

The 388 is a pioneering and internationally respected institution. It has developed a unique and innovative approach to the treatment of psychosis, which, by the accounts of external reviewers, is remarkable in its quality of care and its clinical success. The comprehensive and holistic model of treatment it offers is rare and invaluable. So, too, is the rigor with which all aspects of this treatment are informed by psychoanalytic perspectives and designed to support each patient’s progress through individual psychoanalytic therapy, which is at the core of this treatment. This approach has proven to be both safe and effective for a patient population that often faces significant challenges in accessing meaningful treatment and achieving positive outcomes.

Having dedicated my career to the study of psychosis, I have always been deeply interested in approaches that promote recovery and social inclusion. In this context, I visited Le 388 twice. On both occasions, I was impressed by the rigor and outcomes of the center’s functioning. In my view, it is a pioneering institution and serves as an international example of how innovative care can be realized. Beyond its immediate impact on the local community, The 388 serves as a model for mental health innovation with implications that extend far beyond Quebec. Its integration of diverse treatment modalities provides a valuable framework for addressing complexmental health conditions, particularly in a time when the field is recognizing the importance of complementing biomedical approaches with psychosocial interventions. Losing this institution would mean losing a vital source of inspiration and learning for mental health professionals worldwide.

I urge you and other decision-makers to consider the broader implications of this closure and to explore alternative solutions that would allow The 388 to continue its important work. Preserving this institution is not merely about maintaining the status quo in Quebec—it is about safeguarding a unique and highly effective approach to mental health care that has proven its worth through years of dedicated service, and that stands to play a vital role in the development of new solutions for complex mental health problems in the future.

Thank you for your attention to this critical matter. Should you require further information or wish to discuss this endorsement, please feel free to contact me.

 Sincerely,

 Prof. Dr. Stijn Vanheule