The Indian Psychiatric Society (IPS) is the oldest professional association of psychiatrists in India. Founded during the 34th Indian Science Congress, IPS replaced the Indian division of the Royal Medico-Psychological Association.
Dr Vinay Kumar is the President of the Indian Psychiatric Society. Deepika Padukone is the brand ambassador.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Organisations
Publication
Indian Journal of Psychiatry
On behalf of the Indian Psychiatric Society, Medknow Publications publishes a monthly peer-reviewed open-access medical journal Indian Journal of Psychiatry. The current editor of the journal is Dr Om Prakash Singh.
Eastern Journal of Psychiatry
Eastern Journal of Psychiatry is a peer-reviewed medical journal published by the East Zone of the Indian Psychiatric Society.
Indian Journal of Behavioral Sciences
Indian Journal of Behavioral Sciences is a peer-reviewed medical journal published by the Central Zone of the Indian Psychiatric Society.
Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine
Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine is a peer-reviewed medical journal published by the South Zone of the Indian Psychiatric Society.
Journal of Mental Health and Human Behaviour
Journal of Mental Health and Human Behaviour is a peer-reviewed medical journal published by the North Zone of the Indian Psychiatric Society.
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.
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.
Support for Decriminalisation
As the Supreme Court of India was hearing a case about decriminalising homosexuality, the Indian Psychiatric Society issued a statement supporting the decriminalisation on 2nd July 2018.
The Society pointed out that American Psychiatric Association removed homosexuality from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders in 1973. The World Health Organisation removed homosexuality from the International Classification of Diseases in 1992. The Society stated that homosexuality is a natural variation of human sexuality. The Society pointed out the lack of scientific evidence to support conversion therapy and the evidence that conversion therapy leads to stigmatisation and low-self esteem.
Opposition to Conversion Therapy
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.