The World Association of Social Psychiatry Council: Its Role and Relevance with Reminiscences from Past Presidents

Social Psychiatry as a discipline is integral to the advancement of medicine and psychiatry. The relationship between the individual and the social group is a central theme to it. The World Association of Social Psychiatry (WASP) was founded in 1964. During the last 60 years, the WASP had 15 Past Presidents. The WASP Council is composed of past presidents of the WASP and the Council advises the President of the WASP and through him the General assembly. The WASP Council has functioned effectively for the last several years and was able to provide valuable guidance and support to the President and Executive Committee. The Council has always taken a keen interest in the affairs of the association. The current Council has six Past Presidents and all of them have shared their reminiscences here. This paper offers a valuable glimpse into the evolution of social psychiatry during the last 60 years and bears testimony to the growth and influence of WASP during these years.