Welcome!

Together with our valued member partners, the Psychiatric Association of Thailand, and supported by the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Thailand, WPA looks forward to welcoming you to the 20^th WPA World Congress of Psychiatry, ‘Psychiatry in a troubled world’ in Bangkok, Thailand, 14-17 October 2020.

This Congress not only marks the 20^th Anniversary of the first World Congress held in 1950, it also celebrates the evolution and growth of the WPA over the last 70 years.  As a triennial Congress, the meeting will include the WPA General Assembly at which elections for WPA officers will take place.

We are particularly excited to be hosting such a significant event in Asia.  The diversity of the region encourages diversity in the program, with opportunities to explore how we work in scarce resource versus high income settings, and how we can share best practice across settings of all kinds across the world.  We will review the 2017-2020 Action Plan and delve into its themes of collaboration, reaching those living with adversity, and the rich and varying ways in which the role of psychiatrist can be legitimately expressed.  We will investigate how the time-honoured approaches and the newest techniques in psychiatry – including those in psychotherapies, neuromodulation, pharmacology, digital technologies and social therapies – can be used practically to support people affected by mental ill-health, their families and friends and community groups. These groups will join researchers and mental health professionals to consider advocacy, planning and policymaking across sectors to promote the advancement of psychiatry and mental health in all countries.

Bustling Bangkok couldn’t provide a better backdrop for this milestone event.  A city of contrasts, diversity abounds, from humble street stalls to luxury malls, from historic tuk-tuks to the modern Skytrain, and from sacred temples to its vibrant nightlife – Bangkok is the most visited city in the world for good reason.  Join colleagues and thought leaders from across the globe for learning, sharing and networking.

We look forward to seeing you in Bangkok in 2020!

Helen Herrman, Australia

WPA President

Kiattibhoom Vongrachit

Director General, Department of Mental Health, Thailand

Chawanun Charnsil

President of the Psychiatric Association of Thailand