In 2023, the Council of the College and the Board of Trustees supported the proposal to move to a model where members ‘opt in’ to receiving print copies of all College journals.

Before 2023, the model required members to ‘opt out’ of print. Under this model, approximately 320,000 printed copies of the journals were distributed to College members every year, and membership survey data indicated that a number of members received copies they did not want. 

The move to an ‘opt-in to print’ system ensures only those wanting print copies receive them, and requiring members to opt-in again every year encourages ongoing review of reading preferences.

There are two main drivers for moving to an opt-in model:

1. Financial

   Publishing is going through a significant change, and, crudely, there is a shift from a reader-pay to an author-pay business model across the industry. This transition means there is a period of uncertainty for financial forecasting and income streams for many professional journals. By reducing the number of print-copies we send out can help manage and mitigate these uncertainties.

2. Environment and sustainability

   In 2019, the carbon footprint of printing and distributing the college journals was estimated to be 614 metric tons of CO2 (607 from the paper involved and an additional 7 created by surface and air distribution). Despite creating the option of members to opt-out of print copies in 2020, this has only resulted in just over a 10% reduction of carbon footprint.

Creating the option for members to opt-out of print copies in 2020 resulted in just over a 10% reduction of carbon footprint, so more needed to be done.

How have we maintained member value under the new model?

We do not want to diminish the value of the journals as part of the membership package.

As part of these changes, BJPsych Advances in print is now available to full members at no extra cost (whereas previously it was only available via an additional £80 subscription).

By moving to opt-in, we are asking members to think about how they best engage with and absorb the valuable content within the journals and apply it to clinical practice.

How does opt-in work?

Online access to the whole portfolio is included in membership and that is not changing.

You can also 'opt in' to receive up to two of the three print journals (The British Journal of Psychiatry, BJPsych Bulletin and BJPsych Advances – please note that BJPsych International moved to a digital-only format at the beginning of 2025). If you would like to receive the third journal that option is available for an additional charge of £56 per year via Cambridge University Press, our publishing partner. Please contact the Customer Services team via telephone: +44 [0]1223 326070 or email: journals@cambridge.org

In addition to the above changes, you are now eligible for a member discount to the publication charges for BJPsych Open.

Other grades of membership

The changes above apply to RCPsych Members, Fellows, Specialist Associates, Affiliates and International Associates.

Pre-Membership Psychiatric Trainees (PMPTs) continue to have online access to all the College journals included in their membership and printed copies are now available via Cambridge University Press for £56 per journal per year. If PMPTs wish to subscribe to print copies, they can contact the Customer Services team via telephone: +44 [0]1223 326070 or email: journals@cambridge.org

Student Associates and Foundation Doctor Associates continue to have online access to all College Journals included in their membership.