Meeting abstract

https://doi.org/10.24869/spsih.2026.322

Psychoeducational Workshops Within the RIPEPP Program at the University Psychiatric Hospital Sveti Ivan

Katarina Matić ; University Psychiatric Hospital Sveti Ivan, Jankomir 11, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, Crkvena ulica 21, 31000 Osijek, Croatia *
Sven Molnar ; University Psychiatric Hospital Sveti Ivan, Jankomir 11, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, Crkvena ulica 21, 31000 Osijek, Croatia
Ivana Bakija ; University Psychiatric Hospital Sveti Ivan, Jankomir 11, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, Crkvena ulica 21, 31000 Osijek, Croatia; University of Dubrovnik, Branitelja Dubrovnika 41, 20000 Dubrovnik, Croatia
Antonia Vuk ; University Psychiatric Hospital Sveti Ivan, Jankomir 11, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Tin Matoš ; University Psychiatric Hospital Sveti Ivan, Jankomir 11, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Jadranka Hübler ; University Psychiatric Hospital Sveti Ivan, Jankomir 11, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Vanessa Đogaš ; University Psychiatric Hospital Sveti Ivan, Jankomir 11, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Katja Šikac Satti ; University Psychiatric Hospital Sveti Ivan, Jankomir 11, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Irena Pavlović ; University Psychiatric Hospital Sveti Ivan, Jankomir 11, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Majda Grah ; University Psychiatric Hospital Sveti Ivan, Jankomir 11, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health, Crkvena ulica 21, 31000 Osijek, Croatia; University of Applied Health Sciences Zagreb, Mlinarska ulica 38, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia

* Corresponding author.

Abstract

The Early Intervention Program for First-Episode
Psychotic Disorders (In Croatian: Program rane intervencije
kod prvih epizoda psihotičnih poremećaja,
RIPEPP) has been implemented at the “Sveti
Ivan” Psychiatric Hospital for the past 21 years
with the aim of early detection, treatment, and
rehabilitation of individuals who have experienced
a first episode of a psychotic disorder. It
is considered one of the pioneering early intervention
programs for psychotic disorders in Croatia.
The program is based on a contemporary approach
that emphasizes the importance of timely intervention in order to reduce the consequences
of the disorder and increase the possibilities of recovery,
improve quality of life, as well as patients’
social inclusion and long-term recovery. Psychoeducation
workshops are part of the comprehensive
treatment approach within RIPEPP, which,
in addition to psychoeducation, includes group
psychotherapy for patients, group psychotherapy
for family members, psychosocial interventions,
and rehabilitation activities. One of the most important
components of RIPEPP are psychoeducation
workshops intended for patients and their
family members. The workshops are structured
across the academic year in a cycle of 15 sessions
during which participants gain knowledge about
the nature of psychotic disorders, possible causes,
symptoms, treatment methods, pathways to recovery,
and the importance of regular medication
adherence. Particular emphasis is placed on early
recognition of warning signs of deterioration
and relapse prevention. The workshops are led
by trained professionals, primarily psychiatrists
with training in cognitive-behavioral therapy, and
are conducted in an interactive format through
lectures, discussions, and the exchange of experiences
among participants. Involving family
members is considered extremely important, as
an informed and supportive environment significantly
contributes to more successful treatment
and recovery of a person with a psychotic disorder.
The paper includes a description of the workshops
and their implementation scheme.

Keywords

cognitive-behavioral therapy; quality of life; recovery; psychoeducation; psychotic disorders

Hrčak ID:

353015

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/353015

Publication date:

15.6.2026.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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