10th Helmut Remschmidt Research Seminar (HRRS) held in Germany
7-12 September 2025 | Kloster Irsee, Germany
Empowering child and adolescent mental health through evidence-based approaches
Introduction and Background
The 10th Helmut Remschmidt Research Seminar (HRRS) was held at Kloster Irsee near Munich in Germany from 7-12 September 2025. Twenty three fellows from 16 countries across the globe were joined by six mentors for a one-week residential research training workshop. As in all previous years, the HRRS 2025 was a powerful experience for all participants with one saying “it was one of the best decisions of my career to apply for the HRRS!”
The research seminars were conceptualized by Prof Helmut Remschmidt, one of the founding fathers of Germany Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. Helmut felt that there was a need for intensive training opportunities for emerging child & adolescent mental health professionals. First in Germany and then at a European level, Helmut created the basic structure of the week-long residential programme. In 2007 the IACAPAP Executive Committee adopted the model at an international level and named the programme the ‘Helmut Remschmidt Research Seminar’ in recognition of Helmut’s contributions to IACAPAP over many decades.
The HRRS Format
The basic ‘recipe’ of the HRRS has remained the same over all of the last 10 seminars: The group comes together on Sunday afternoon for an introductory session and dinner to start the networking and group engagement process. In the mornings, mentors lead talks on topics of relevance to the needs of each group. After lunch, mentors and mentees work in small groups to discuss the individual research projects of mentees. Mid-week usually includes an excursion to a local historical place.
One-to-one mentoring has become another powerful element of the HRRS. Apart from research-focused work, many social activities and informal discussions take place over meals, during walks and at the Gala Dinner. On Fridays, after a final morning session and final small-group review, a conclusion session brings the programme to an end.
The 10th Anniversary Seminar in Germany
2025 represented the 10th HRRS and it was therefore fitting for it to take place in Germany. As per Helmut’s ‘vision’ to host the seminars in remote locations away from the hussle and bussle of cities and distractions, the HRRS 2025 was held in the Monastery of Irsee, outside Munich.
The programme was coordinated by Prof Petrus de Vries (South Africa) and Prof Christina Schwenck (Germany). From over 150 applications, just over ten fellows were selected from Europe, and a similar number from the rest of the world, including South Africa, India, Brazil, Cambodia, UK and USA.
Highlights and Feedback
A particular highlight of the week was the fact that Prof Remschmidt was able to join the programme for the first few days. The HRRS programme booklet for 2025 can be seen here.
Over the years formal feedback has always shown high ratings for all elements of the programme. However, it is often the qualitative comments of participants that truly rcaptures the value of the HRRS – one HRRS fellow said: “to me it was one of the most enriching experiences I had, both professionally and personally”. Another said “the HRRS exceeded all my expectations and also was exactly what I needed, even though I did not know that it was what I needed”.
Prof Helmut Remschmidt with HRRS coordinators Christina Schwenck and Petrus de Vries, and Bruno Falissard who has been a mentor at all 10 HRRS to date.
We thank Prof Helmut Remschmidt for the vision and inspiration for the HRRS and thank the IACAPAP Executive Committee for keeping the spirit of the programme alive.
The HRRS 2025 team in front of Kloster Irsee.