WPA Review Q4 2022

Dear Friends,

Welcome to the fourth edition of our World Psychiatric Association's (WPA) eNewsletter – WPA Review. With this last eNewsletter of 2022, it gives me the ideal opportunity to reflect on the second year of my presidency, review the events that have occurred and share our achievements. As with my first year, this one has been equally challenging with many challenges to overcome and various events around the world leaving a profound impact on all aspects of our daily lives, and the well-being of our patients, colleagues, families and that of the whole society.

The World Psychiatric Association (WPA), as everyone, has been severely impacted by the after-effects of the pandemic, the war in Ukraine and the consequential cost of living crisis. All of our stakeholders and components (Committees, Sections, Board, members, Member Societies, and staff etc.) have had to adapt their activities, learn to work in new ways and seek innovative ways to generate funds. Throughout it all, WPA remained committed to its cause and has globally supported mental health topics around the world

On a more positive note, we were incredibly thankful that we were able to hold our long-awaited 22nd World Congress of Psychiatry (WCP) that took place in Bangkok in early August. This was our first in-person Congress in two years, and in collaboration with the Psychiatric Association of Thailand (supported by the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Thailand and the Department of Mental Health, Thailand) and the Organising and Scientific Committees, we welcomed more than 2370 registered participants from 100 different countries. All participants were able to enjoy a diverse programme of content with 209 sessions, 600 speakers and 980 ePosters all focused on this year's theme "Psychiatry 2022: The need for empathy and action". I am very proud and grateful for the dedicated and exceptional commitment of all those involved that made this Congress successful.

You will see by reading this year’s annual report that we have also been busy with a number of other activities as per the priorities set out in my 2020-2023 Action Plan. These include:

Our day-to-day work continues and WPA has also been busy this past quarter with a number of projects. Our Action Plan 2020-2023 Working Groups have continued to meet and work together to fulfil their terms of reference. I am pleased to see the progress they have been making and the activities they have and are organising.

Online activities continue to be an important focus for us with a list of ongoing and completed projects, such as:

We continue to use our website and social channels to communicate and promote our activities, resources and work.
WPA Scientific Sections have been updating their web pages to ensure their Section's information is up-to-date and engaging. You can view the pages here.
During 2022, the WPA Educational Portal team have added a number or new modules to the platform. During 2022, WPA has been uploading a series of learning modules and webinars coving a variety of subjects including: Management of Schizophrenia - Part 1, War in Europe, Recent Advances in the Treatment of Depression, Recent Advances in Bipolar Disorder Treatment, Advances in Pharmacological Treatment, Addictive Disorders learning resource, and Transcultural Psychiatry and Mental Health of Forcibly Displaced People, Refugees and Migrants, to name but a few. For the full list of latest additions, visit the Portal itself to view the wealth of resources that are available to you.
We have completed the "Meet the Leaders" interview series on our website and social channels.
In October 2022, were pleased to launch a new educational project – the “WPA e-Journal Club”. Past copies of the WPA eJournal can be read here.

When thinking about my final year of presidency, I wish all of us much strength as we continue to face challenges following the pandemic and Ukraine conflict, and their consequential impact on mental health. I am always motivated and inspired by the commitment and hard work I see from my fellow professionals when dealing with such difficult situations I look forward with enthusiasm and confidence, convinced that we will be able to transform new challenges into opportunities and fulfil the WPA’s triennium’s goals Thank you all for the ongoing support.

Best wishes,
Afzal

Prof. Afzal Javed
WPA President

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