RCPsych Wales is pleased to support the Welsh Language Commissioner’s (Use your Welsh) campaign which is running between 24 November and 5 December 2025.
The annual campaign is an opportunity for organisations of all kinds across Wales to promote their Welsh language services. The campaign also encourages Welsh speakers to use the language in their everyday lives.
The Welsh language – “Cymraeg” – belongs to everyone. When people experience ill-health, it is vital that they’re able to access care and support in the language that best meets their needs. This includes access to health services through the medium of Welsh.
Over the past year, we have established a new partnership with the , enabling a group of psychiatrists to enrol in free taster courses tailored for medics. We’re grateful to the team at Learn Welsh North Wales for their support and for inspiring our members to continue on their language journey.
RCPsych Wales Vice Chair, Dr Izabella Jurewicz, said:
“I joined the taster course, not quite sure what to expect. Having lived in Wales for many years, I was intrigued to learn something about the language. When my Welsh tiwtor (tutor) suggested reading all the Welsh signs in the hospital, I felt the scales fall from my eyes. There is so much Welsh language out there, it is not that difficult to familiarise yourself with. I think the pace of the course was very good and there was enough repetition to build my skills. The tiwtors were fun and very encouraging. The course covered common phrases that a seiciatrydd (psychiatrist) would need to put a Welsh speaker at ease and the content was tailored to our needs. Diolch (thank you) for offering this opportunity.”
Alongside this, the Welsh Government and National Centre launched the (Welcome Course) earlier this year. This is a course that is specifically targeted develop the Welsh language skills of the health and social care workforce, and we are proud to promote it.
There hasn’t been a better opportunity to start learning and start using your Cymraeg!
Over the next year, we are looking forward to further expanding the Welsh language services we already offer to our members, with a view to gaining (Welsh Offer) accreditation by the Welsh Language Commissioenr.
A broad range of mental health information resources are already available on our website. This includes resources on:
- Autism and mental health
- Gambling disorder
- Sleeping well
- Depression
- Self-harm
- Psychosis
- Schizophrenia
- Cognitive behavioural therapy
For further information, please contact:
- Email: dafydd.huw@rcpsych.ac.uk
- Web: /wales
- Contact Name: Dafydd Huw
- Twitter:
- Out-of-hours contact number: 02922 33 1080