Evidence-based treatments are available for all psychiatric disorders. However, it is imperative to translate academic research into clinical practice as research papers often present a challenge for clinicians in interpreting results due to their technical nature and the time pressure when working on the front lines of patient care.

WPA has teamed up with valued partner and member society, the University of Melbourne, to develop a compact, six-month diploma program that provides affordable quality psychiatry training to healthcare professionals in developing as well as developed countries. This course is designed to provide healthcare practitioners with the most up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills to administer quality care to patients with mental illness. 

Following publication of WPA’s recommended training framework for psychiatrists in 2017, the WPA provides accreditation for the curricula of those member societies whose training programs meet the recommended requirements.

ESPRI is a WPA program set up to provide seed funds to jump start innovative and promising programs in low- and middle-income countries (LAMIC).  Each year, WPA awards $15,000 to three projects ($5k per project).  These funds should be matched with funds the applicants have been able to secure through other national and/or international organisations, including academia, governments, NGOs, and/or industry.

80% of psychiatric expertise is currently concentrated in 30% of countries in the world.  However, it is in the remaining 70% of countries without this expertise that 80% of mental health needs and burden are concentrated.  The WPA Volunteer Program aims to redress this imbalance by drawing volunteers from high income countries to provide training and education where it is needed most.

The WPA Committee on Education and Scientific Publications is going to launch a Global Study on Psychiatric Training, to explore the structure and quality of psychiatry teaching to medical students in many countries around the world, by examining the integration of and the emphasis on psychiatry within undergraduate medical curricula. This will include whether psychiatry is mandatory in the curriculum, the duration of clinical placements, and the range of subspecialties covered. Additionally, the study will evaluate current challenges and offer potential improvements in psychiatry training, including the availability of qualified trainers, examination formats, and opportunities for international collaboration and resource development. The study will also address how the WPA can best help countries improve psychiatry training for medical students. Ultimately, it will help us all as we work to address global mental health needs and disparities by providing effective educational strategies that take regional contexts into account, while trying to reduce stigma and attract more medical students to psychiatry.

The World Psychiatric Association (WPA) evaluates educational activities for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and assigns CPD points based on international standards. Points are awarded according to criteria such as content quality, learning objectives, and participant engagement.