The Background

Mental health intervention is incomplete without taking into account, the influences and impact of psychosocial contexts of those living with mental disorders. Psychiatric Social Work takes cognizance of the experiences and contexts of people to provide a comprehensive understanding and analysis of their mental health and behavioral issues. A Psychiatric Social Worker is an integral part of a mental health care team and has a lot to contribute in the promotion of mental health and prevention and treatment of mental disturbances & illnesses at different levels.

APSWP is an association of Psychiatric Social Workers in India. APSWP upholds solidarity among Psychiatric Social Work professionals to protect and promote their professional interests, standards of professionalism to achieve the best at all times in this constantly changing world with time tested ethics that make us feel proud. APSWP evolved out of the long felt need for an exclusive group to take up the cause of the profession and the professionals.

Aims and Objectives of the Association

1. To promote and advance the profession of psychiatric social work and align professional development with thought, direction, and ethics
2. To contribute towards quality enhancement and build knowledge, skills, research, practice and training
3. To uphold and establish professional standards and safeguards in the interests of the Psychiatric Social Workers in the country, through advisory and instruments, to enhance the standards of education, practice, research, advocacy and policy
4. To represent and contribute at national, state and local level, on matters related to the profession and on mental health cognate with the subjects under the domain of Psychiatric Social Work
5. To promote and advocate for the rights and the betterment of the end-user of Psychiatric Social Work interventions and services

To sum up,
The association plans to take up activities that work towards advancement of psychiatric social work, enhance quality and build knowledge, skills, research, practice and training; uphold and establish professional standards and safeguards; represent and contribute at the national, state and local level on matters related to the profession of Psychiatric Social Work, mental health and well being; to promote and advocate for the rights and betterment of the end-user of Psychiatric Social Work intervention and services.

The current office bearers of the APSWP are:

Dr. Sobhana, LGBRIMH, Tezpur, Assam – President
Dr. Ketki Ranade, TISS, Mumbai – Vice President
Dr. E. Aravind Raj, NIMHANS, Bangalore – General Secretary
Dr. Renjith R Pillai, PGI, Chandigarh – Joint Secretary
Dr. Jobin Tom, IMHANS, Calicut, Kerala – Treasurer