[Professional commitment and work in psychiatry]. / L'engagement professionnel et le travail en psychiatrie.

The practice of care in a psychiatric service, whether outpatient or inpatient, appears more than ever to be a personal commitment. How can we conceive it despite the difficulties of the profession, which make new professionals hesitate to join it? There is now open talk of a "crisis in psychiatry", of professionals leaving the profession. However, many observers and caregivers manage to give meaning to this demanding profession, at the crossroads between disciplines and institutions. The activity is constantly evolving, shaped as much by the advent of multiple theoretical frameworks as by societal movements. The number of people using this discipline, which is now also called "mental health" care, is constantly increasing, while at the same time all the players are struggling to recruit professionals. However, patients who have become users can testify to the quality of the caregivers.

[Psychiatric care secure units and sexuality of patients.] / Institution psychiatrique fermée et sexualité des patients.

The desire for emotional and/or sexual relations, although universally felt, is not freely expressed because it's usually shaped by modesty, taboos, the norms and values of the surroundings and of the cultural environment of the people who feel such a desire. It is even constrained, or repressed, by certain laws. This complexity can be significantly increased by the existence of mental health disorders requiring psychiatric care in secure units. Certain notions must be taken into account, such as the relative freedom of patients, compliance with rules, discernment, informed consent, the vulnerability of potential partners, the impact of treatments, etc.