About Us
Welcome to the SAARC Psychiatric Federation (SPF)
The SAARC Psychiatric Federation (SPF) is the premier regional alliance of mental health professionals across South Asia. Established in 2004, SPF brings together the national psychiatric associations of the eight SAARC member nations: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
Representing nearly a quarter of the world’s population, we are united by a singular mission: to advance psychiatric science, eliminate mental health stigma, and ensure equitable access to quality mental healthcare across South Asia.
Our Vision
To build a mentally resilient South Asia where psychiatric care is accessible, stigma-free, and seamlessly integrated into universal healthcare systems.
Our Mission
• Bridge the Treatment Gap: Mobilize regional resources to integrate mental health services into primary healthcare networks, reaching rural and underserved communities.
• Foster Regional Collaboration: Provide a unified platform for cross-border research, sharing clinical breakthroughs, and developing unified training standards tailored to South Asian socio-cultural contexts.
• Advocate for Policy Reform: Engage with regional governments to elevate mental health on public health agendas and secure higher budgetary allocations.
• Combat Stigma: Drive community-led awareness campaigns to dismantle cultural taboos surrounding mental illness.
Core Pillars of Our Work
🌐 Regional & Global Networking
We bridge local psychiatric bodies with global organizations. As a key regional entity, SPF collaborates closely with the World Psychiatric Association (WPA) and the Asian Federation of Psychiatric Associations (AFPA) to align South Asian mental health strategies with global standards.
📚 Academic & Research Excellence
We foster continuous medical education through our official peer-reviewed publication, the Journal of SAARC Psychiatric Federation (JSPF) . The journal highlights localized research on community psychiatry, cultural psychiatry, and disaster mental health.
🤝 Disaster & Crisis Psychiatry
South Asia is highly vulnerable to natural and humanitarian crises. SPF coordinates regional task forces to provide immediate psychological first aid, trauma-informed care, and long-term rehabilitation frameworks during regional emergencies.
Member Associations
Our strength lies in our collaborative network of national bodies, including:
• Afghan Psychiatric Association
• Bangladesh Association of Psychiatrists
• Bhutan Medical and Health Council (Psychiatry Wing)
• Indian Psychiatric Society
• Maldivian Medical Association (Psychiatry Chapter)
• Psychiatrists' Association of Nepal
• Pakistan Psychiatric Society
• Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists
Executive Leadership
The SAARC Psychiatric Federation (SPF) executive leadership is headed by Prof. Shehan Williams of Sri Lanka, who assumed the role of President. The governing body consists of representatives across South Asian nations who steer regional psychiatric advocacy, research, and collaborative initiatives.
🏢 Committee Structure• Country Representation: The Executive Committee incorporates two appointed members from each of the eight SAARC nations.
• Specialized Subcommittees: The leadership oversees 19 designated subcommittees focusing on core areas like Geriatric Psychiatry, Child & Adolescent Mental Health, and Postgraduate Psychiatric Education.
• Standing Boards: Dedicated standing wings are maintained for global academic coordination, continuous medical education (CME), and regional cross-border research.
Welcome to the SAARC Psychiatric Federation (SPF)
The SAARC Psychiatric Federation (SPF) is the premier regional alliance of mental health professionals across South Asia. Established in 2004, SPF brings together the national psychiatric associations of the eight SAARC member nations: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
Representing nearly a quarter of the world’s population, we are united by a singular mission: to advance psychiatric science, eliminate mental health stigma, and ensure equitable access to quality mental healthcare across South Asia.
Our Vision
To build a mentally resilient South Asia where psychiatric care is accessible, stigma-free, and seamlessly integrated into universal healthcare systems.
Our Mission
• Bridge the Treatment Gap: Mobilize regional resources to integrate mental health services into primary healthcare networks, reaching rural and underserved communities.
• Foster Regional Collaboration: Provide a unified platform for cross-border research, sharing clinical breakthroughs, and developing unified training standards tailored to South Asian socio-cultural contexts.
• Advocate for Policy Reform: Engage with regional governments to elevate mental health on public health agendas and secure higher budgetary allocations.
• Combat Stigma: Drive community-led awareness campaigns to dismantle cultural taboos surrounding mental illness.
Core Pillars of Our Work
🌐 Regional & Global Networking
We bridge local psychiatric bodies with global organizations. As a key regional entity, SPF collaborates closely with the World Psychiatric Association (WPA) and the Asian Federation of Psychiatric Associations (AFPA) to align South Asian mental health strategies with global standards.
📚 Academic & Research Excellence
We foster continuous medical education through our official peer-reviewed publication, the Journal of SAARC Psychiatric Federation (JSPF) . The journal highlights localized research on community psychiatry, cultural psychiatry, and disaster mental health.
🤝 Disaster & Crisis Psychiatry
South Asia is highly vulnerable to natural and humanitarian crises. SPF coordinates regional task forces to provide immediate psychological first aid, trauma-informed care, and long-term rehabilitation frameworks during regional emergencies.
Member Associations
Our strength lies in our collaborative network of national bodies, including:
• Afghan Psychiatric Association
• Bangladesh Association of Psychiatrists
• Bhutan Medical and Health Council (Psychiatry Wing)
• Indian Psychiatric Society
• Maldivian Medical Association (Psychiatry Chapter)
• Psychiatrists' Association of Nepal
• Pakistan Psychiatric Society
• Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists
Executive Leadership
The SAARC Psychiatric Federation (SPF) executive leadership is headed by Prof. Shehan Williams of Sri Lanka, who assumed the role of President. The governing body consists of representatives across South Asian nations who steer regional psychiatric advocacy, research, and collaborative initiatives.
🏢 Committee Structure
• Country Representation: The Executive Committee incorporates two appointed members from each of the eight SAARC nations.
• Specialized Subcommittees: The leadership oversees 19 designated subcommittees focusing on core areas like Geriatric Psychiatry, Child & Adolescent Mental Health, and Postgraduate Psychiatric Education.
• Standing Boards: Dedicated standing wings are maintained for global academic coordination, continuous medical education (CME), and regional cross-border research.