Stamping the message: psychiatric themes in philately.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this article is to examine the representation of psychiatric themes within medical philately (stamps) over a recent seven-year period.


METHODS
Examination of all stamps issued from 1 January 2002 to 31 December 2009 worldwide took place using the World Association for the Development of Philately Numbering System (WNS) on the Universal Postal Union website.


RESULTS
During the study period, 596 stamps with medical themes were issued around the world. Common psychiatric themes included: psychoactive substance use, recreational drug messages, 'anti-tobacco' and human emotions. Notable people, the World Psychiatry Congress and intellectual disability also featured prominently.


CONCLUSIONS
Philately may have a role in anti-stigma campaigns within psychiatry. The highest number of medical stamps have psychiatric themes, yet this potential resource may not be currently utilised to maximal benefit. Philately is being adapted to the electronic age of communication.
Adult Mental Health, Eastern Health, Box Hill, VIC, Australia and Department of Psychiatry, University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka. asirir2000@yahoo.com
Asiri
A
Rodrigo
Jennifer
J
Majoor
D006801:Humans; D008512:Medicine in the Arts; D010678:Philately / Q000639:trends*; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000639:trends*