What we do
The Royal College of Psychiatrists is the professional and
educational body for psychiatrists in the United Kingdom and the
Republic of Ireland. 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), and
visiting and approving hospitals for training purposes, 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,
Psychiatric Bulletin, 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.