title: The role of a Psychiatric Society: Aligning our aims to needs of the community.
abstract: Psychiatric Societies and Associations have variegated roles and functions. They provide their members an academic resource and a place for social networking. They also have responsibilities to the profession and to the community they serve. The nature of work they conduct should be aligned to the needs of all stakeholders. Only when there is such harmonious working will the community respect the fraternity and the Association. We, therefore, need to respond to the need of the hour, which in the current time is prevention of suicide in children and adolescents and facilitation of continuing professional development for our members.
authors.affiliation: BPS President, 2010-2011. Professor (Additional), Department of Psychiatry, Topiwala National Medical College and BYL Nair Charitable Hospital, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India - 400 008.
authors.forename: Henal R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Shah
keywords: Continuing professional development; Society roles; Suicide prevention
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