About the College
In autumn 2013, the College will relocate its headquarters from 17
Belgrave Square to a new bulding in Prescot Street, E1. Our
21 Prescot Street blog explains how the
relocation process is progressing.
What we do
The Royal College of Psychiatrists is the professional and
educational body for psychiatrists in the United Kingdom. We
aim to:
Set standards and promote excellence in psychiatry and mental
healthcare
The Royal College of Psychiatrists is committed to improving
the understanding of psychiatry and mental health. We want there to
be a greater understanding of the interaction between mental and
physical health and the social and cultural context in which people
live. We are at the forefront in setting and achieving the highest
standards through education, training and research. We lead the way
in developing excellence and promoting best practice in mental
health services. We promote research and publish the results in our
world-class psychiatric journals.
Lead, represent and support psychiatrists
The College actively promotes psychiatry as a career. College
structures are robust and provide dedicated support to our members
and associates. Nationally and internationally, the College has a
vital role in representing the expertise of the psychiatric
profession to governments and other agencies. This is key to
promoting best practice in mental health.
Work with service users, carers and their
organisations
We collaborate with key players in the mental health field and
are champions for improvements in the quality of mental healthcare
throughout all sectors of society. Public education is at the heart
of our activities and is an essential component of our
website.
As well as running its membership examination
(MRCPsych), the College organises scientific and clinical
conferences and lectures and continuing professional development
activities. The College publishes books, reports and educational
material for professionals and the general public. It also
publishes the British Journal of
Psychiatry, The
Psychiatrist, Advances in
Psychiatric Treatment and International
Psychiatry, all of which are now available on-line.
The Royal College of Psychiatrists has been in existence in some
form since 1841. First as the "Association of Medical Officers of
Asylums and Hospitals for the Insane" (later changed to the Medico
Psychological Association) then, in 1926 receiving its Royal
Charter to become the "Royal Medico Psychological Association, and
finally, in 1971 receiving a Supplemental Charter to become the
"Royal College of Psychiatrists" we know today.