Norwegian Psychiatric Association
Website: www.norskpsykiatriskforening.no

The Norwegian Psychiatric Association is a specialist association within the Norwegian Medical Association.

• Who can join?
  • Members of the Norwegian Medical Association who are training to become, or already are, psychiatrists. We are currently, in June 2007, some 1400 members.
  
  
• What are the tasks of the association?
  • To raise awareness of the importance of psychiatry in the society
  • To promote the development of psychiatry both in practice and scientifically
  • To secure the professional interest and development of the members
  • To assist the members with advise in matters of psychiatry and policy
  • To promote cooperation and communication between the members
  • To work towards more cooperation with other professions and patient associations
  • To bring to light the speciality’s biological, psychological and cultural foundations
  • To work for improved and optimal mental health care for psychiatric patients throughout their lives
  • To promote the interests of our patients and the profession, reduce prejudices and work against stigmatisation of this vulnerable patient group
  
  
• How does the association work?
  • The association comprises leader and eight board members. They are elected at the annual meeting where all members have the right to vote.
  • The association also works through the speciality committee and the working committee for psychotherapy
  • The speciality committee
    • Monitors the rules and regulations for becoming a psychiatrist
    • Arranges compulsory courses for trainees
    • Evaluates and recommends for the Norwegian Medical Association who can be recognised as a qualified psychiatrist and approves new wards as suitable for trainees
  • The working committee for psychotherapy
    • Suggests and recommends new supervisors in psychotherapy for the Norwegian Medical Association
    • Initiated and overlooks further training in family therapy, group psychotherapy and cognitive therapy
  
  
• The association can also establish working groups in areas that needs extra attention.
  • The working groups can be permanent or more on a need be basis. Mandate and members of the groups are decided upon at the annual meeting.
  • The association is in constant dialogue with the relevant authorities (Medical Association, Ministry of Health and other relevant bodies)
  • The association is an important body entitled to comment and a supplier of terms towards the Norwegian Medical Association and other official authorities
  • The associations most important contact with its members is at the annual meeting
  • The board is also staying in touch with the members at courses, seminars and regional meetings the association is arranging.
  
  
• Publications
  • “Psykiateren” (“The Psychiatrist”) four times a year both in paper version and online pdf-file
  
  
• History
  • The Norwegian Psychiatric Association was founded on the 12th of September 1907 and we are celebrating our 100th anniversary in September 2007.