Dr Vinay Kumar is the President of the Indian Psychiatric Society.[2]Deepika Padukone is the brand ambassador.[3]
Founding
In 1929, Col. Berkeley Hill founded the Indian Association for Mental Hygiene, affiliated with the National Council for Mental Health Hygiene in Great Britain. The Association ceased to function after yew years.[1]
Later, Dr Banarasi Das campaigned for the Indian division of the Royal Medico-Psychological Association. The division was formed in 1939 and functioned till 1947.[1]
On 7th January 1947, during the 34th Indian Science Congress, the founding members decided to dissolve the Indian division of the Royal Medico-Psychological Association and establish the Indian Psychiatric Society.[1]Ajita Chakraborty was elected president of the society in 1976,[4] thereby becoming the first woman to serve as president of the society.[5]
Objectives
Indian Psychiatric Society aims to promote and advance the field of Psychiatry. The Society promotes research in the field of psychiatry and mental health. It formulates and advises on the standard of education and training for those involved in psychiatry and mental health.[6]
The Society promotes the prevention and treatment of psychiatric disorders and improves the general mental health of people. It raises awareness about mental health, including mental health matters concerning the Country. The society safeguards the interest of psychiatrists and fellow professionals in India.[6]
Eastern Journal of Psychiatry is a peer-reviewedmedical journal published by the East Zone of the Indian Psychiatric Society.[7]
Indian Journal of Behavioral Sciences
Indian Journal of Behavioral Sciences is a peer-reviewedmedical journal published by the Central Zone of the Indian Psychiatric Society.[7]
Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine
Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine is a peer-reviewedmedical journal published by the South Zone of the Indian Psychiatric Society.[7]
Journal of Mental Health and Human Behaviour
Journal of Mental Health and Human Behaviour is a peer-reviewedmedical journal published by the North Zone of the Indian Psychiatric Society.[7]
Positions
LGBTQA
Rebuttal of Former President
On 19 January 2014, Dr Indira Sharma, the former President of the Indian Psychiatric Society, expressed her opinion that homosexuality is unnatural. The Times of India reported that towards the end of her term as the President, Dr Indira Sharma voiced similar views in an Indian Psychiatric Society panel discussing the re-criminalisation of homosexuality in India.[8]
President Dr T V Asokan and General Secretary Dr N N Raju issued a joint statement clarifying the official position of the Society that homosexuality is not a psychiatric disorder. The joint statement pointed out the lack of evidence to support the view that homosexuality is unnatural.[9][10]
On 11th June 2020, pointing to the 2nd July 2018 Positional Statement, the Indian Psychiatric Society reiterated that homosexuality is not a psychiatric disorder. Conversion Therapies are based on the erroneous premise that sexual orientations are diseases. The Society pointed out the lack of evidence to support the efficiency of the Conversion Therapies. The statement disapproved of the Conversion Therapies and urged mental health professionals to refrain from providing such services.[12]
Support for Marriage Equality
As the Supreme Court of India was hearing cases on marriage equality, the Indian Psychiatric Society issued a statement supporting marriage equality on 9th April 2023. The Society reiterated that LGBTQA identities are natural variations within the range of human sexuality. Stating that there is no evidence to support the exclusion of LGBTQA people from marriage, the Society cautioned that discrimination leads to mental health issues.[13][14]
During her term as the President of the Indian Psychiatric Society, Dr Indira Sharma suggested early marriage as a way to curb sexual crimes. The statement caused Indian psychiatrists to oppose her view. The members raised concerns about uploading her speech on the Society's official website, as required by the rules. Dr T S Sathyanarayana Rao, the editor of the Indian Journal of Psychiatry, suggested that the Society examine a written article supporting her claims before uploading her speech. Dr Indira Sharma insisted the difference of opinion should be respected.[15]
Homosexuality is Unnatural
In the days following the end of Dr Indira Sharma's term as the president of the Indian Psychiatric Society, the Times of India interviewed her about the views she expressed during the panel discussion on the decision of the Supreme Court to overturn the ruling of Delhi High Court and re-criminalise homosexuality. She confirmed the reports that she believes homosexuality is unnatural. Following her interview, the current President and General Secretary of the Society issued a joint statement clarifying the official position of the Society. The Statement said there is no evidence to support the claims that homosexuality is a psychiatric disorder.[8][9][10]