Caring with the Humanities

Integrating the Humanities into Psychiatric Care: A Curriculum Proposal for an Introductory Course for Mental Health Professionals

Abstract

This article presents the design and pedagogical rationale of Caring with the Humanities, a short course aimed at integrating humanities into psychiatric training. Grounded in philosophy, anthropology, and sociology, the course addresses four key axes: the conceptual foundations of psychiatric diagnoses, the caregiver-patient relationship, the ethical and power dimensions of clinical encounters, and the potential iatrogenic effects of psychiatric institutions. Drawing on thinkers such as Foucault, Goffman, Becker, and Hacking, the curriculum promotes epistemological decentring and reflective practice. It follows the FAIR pedagogical principles (Feedback, Activity, Individualisation, Relevance) and includes participatory modules, such as a diagnostic simulation to highlight interpretive divergences and the constructed nature of psychiatric categories. Through mixed-methods evaluation, including follow-up after three months, the course aims to cultivate humility, critical thinking, and culturally sensitive care. In doing so, it argues that the humanities are not a luxury but an essential dimension of good psychiatric practice.