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About this journal
The British Journal of Psychiatry
  • ISSN: 0007-1250 (Print), 1472-1465 (Online)
  • Frequency: 12 issues per year

The British Journal of Psychiatry (BJPsych) is a leading international peer-reviewed journal, covering all branches of psychiatry with a particular emphasis on the clinical aspects of each topic. Published monthly on behalf of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, the journal is committed to improving the prevention, investigation, diagnosis, treatment, and care of mental illness, as well as the promotion of mental health globally. In addition to authoritative original research articles from around the world, the journal publishes editorials, review articles, commentaries on contentious articles, a comprehensive book review section and a lively, well-informed correspondence column. BJPsych is essential reading for psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, and all professionals with an interest in mental health.

Digital archives

Digital archives are available for this journal, providing instant online access to a repository of high-quality digitised historical content. For more information, please see the Cambridge journals digital archive.

The British Journal of Psychiatry was originally founded in 1853 as the Asylum Journal and was known as the Journal of Mental Science from 1858 to 1963. The complete archive of contents between 1855 and 2000 has been digitised.

Content preservation

Cambridge University Press publications are deposited in the following digital archives to guarantee long-term digital preservation:

  • CLOCKSS (journals) 
  • Portico (journals and books)

Focus 

The British Journal of Psychiatry (BJPsych) is a leading international peer-reviewed journal, covering all branches of psychiatry with a particular emphasis on the clinical aspects of each topic.

Mission

The journal is committed to improving the prevention, investigation, diagnosis, treatment, and care of mental illness, as well as the promotion of mental health globally.

Audience

The journal is essential reading for psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, and all professionals with an interest in mental health. The print version of BJPsych is sent to all members of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, which includes most psychiatrists working in the UK. There is also a substantial international subscriber base.

Ownership & Management

The journal is owned and managed by the Royal College of Psychiatrists and published monthly by Cambridge University Press on behalf of the College. The College grants editorial freedom and independence to the Editor-in-Chief of BJPsych.

Revenue Sources

Both the Royal College of Psychiatrists and Cambridge University Press are not-for-profit organisations, committed to fulfilling their respective objectives of securing the best outcomes for people with mental illness, learning difficulties and developmental disorders and advancing learning, knowledge and research worldwide .

BJPsych receives revenue to ensure we can maintain the highest publishing quality and standards. Revenue sources include: individual and institutional subscriptions; advertising; sales of reprints, rights and royalties; and open access fees. For details on how we avoid charging subscribers for content that has been made Open Access through the payment of an Article Processing Charge ('double dipping'), please see our transparent pricing policy. Please find information about our advertising procedures and guidelines here .

Press and Embargoes

Upon acceptance, BJPsych articles may be selected for press release by the author's institution, the RCPsych media team (press@rcpsych.ac.uk), or CUP media team (societymarketing@cambridge.org). The press release will be distributed under strict embargo, usually with advance access to the full article. Those registered to receive our press releases understand that the embargo is a strict one, and that no information about the article can be published or broadcast until the embargo has lifted. Journalists can contact the authors for comment or further details before the embargo date.

Disclaimer

BJPsych is not responsible for statements made by contributors. Unless so stated, material in this journal does not necessarily reflect the views of the Editor-in-Chief or the Royal College of Psychiatrists. The publishers are not responsible for any error of omission or fact.

  • On the cover
  • Cover picture

    Artists work several days a week at the supported art studio above Outsider Art Gallery in the Hermitage Amsterdam. This studio and gallery were set up in 2016 for people with mental and learning disabilities by care organization Cordaan, Museum Hermitage Amsterdam and Museum of the Mind Haarlem.

    Cordaan has various initiatives to involve its residents and clients in art and culture.

    With the Art & Care programme, we use music, dance, theatre, poetry, literature, heritage and visual arts to improve the quality of life of residents and to connect participants to society.

    The focus is not so much on the disabilities, limitations and possible disorders of a person but rather on the ‘sane’ and vital part that all people have: development and celebration of artistic talent, connection with society through art.

    Ben Becker (Amsterdam, 1971)

    Ben Becker has been affiliated with the Outsider Art Studios since 2019. His artwork shows a fascination for visual language and typography. International soccer clubs such as Ajax and FC Barcelona have his particular interest besides the epic space opera Star Wars and other subjects. The strong, colourful and rhythmic lines and composition make his paintings an adventure to watch.

    In his painting ‘Welcome to the Amsterdam jungle’ several animals are depicted: a snake, a bird and a grasshopper. The head in the middle is an indigenous person from the jungle, with makeup and feathers. Ben says: ‘Animals are beautiful and I like them. I wanted to paint something with animals and indigenous people. I depicted the coat of arms of Amsterdam because the painting is made in Amsterdam and I was born in Amsterdam. I don't want to paint only one subject because I like variety. When I was a young adult I attended a graphical school where I learnt how to make technical drawings. I started to make drawings for myself in sketch books. The care workers who help me at home saw my drawings and said I should do something with that. So that's how I came to the studio, where I paint now three days a week. I want to keep on developing myself. When I paint I feel relaxed and inspired. All sorts of thoughts pop up in my mind, but I also take inspiration from books.’

    We are always looking for interesting and visually appealing images for the cover of the Journal and would welcome suggestions or pictures, which should be sent to Dr Allan Beveridge, British Journal of Psychiatry, 21 Prescot Street, London, E1 8BB, UK or bjp@rcpsych.ac.uk.