About the European Psychiatric Association Section of Epidemiology and Social Psychiatry
Welcome to the EPA Section of Epidemiology & Social Psychiatry.
Our section is one of the oldest and most active Sections of the European Psychiatric Association , and our biennial conferences attract attendees from all over Europe and beyond. We have existed as a Section for over 40 years, and in 2022 will celebrate our 20th biennial Congress in Cambridge, UK, on the theme Public Mental Health Re-Imagined: A Roadmap Towards Global Equity. We are looking forward to reconnecting with longstanding friends and colleagues as we emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic, and meeting new friends and colleagues for the first time.
Our Congresses are known for attracting researchers at all levels in their career, from students and trainees through to distinguished Professors and Emeritus Professors. They are also known for fostering a friendly and collegiate atmosphere, showcasing the very best research in psychiatric epidemiology, social psychiatry and public mental health. We welcome participation from all professions involved in research and clinical work in these fields, including participation by people with lived experience of mental health problems and their carers.
We believe that psychiatric epidemiology and social psychiatry provide a rigorous basis for advancing knowledge on preventing and treating mental health disorders and problems from a population health and societal perspective. These tools allow us to advance understanding of the burden and etiology of mental health issues, and inform prevention, mental health service, treatment and prognostic models of care.
We encourage and promote research into a broad range of topics from social psychiatry and the epidemiology of mental health. Social psychiatry is focused on the social causes and consequences of mental disorders as well as social networks of patients, and service planning. Psychiatric epidemiology covers a broad range of topics including both basic and applied research.
Who we are
We have an official Academic Board, run by our Chair, Professor Arnstein Mykletun, co-Chair, Prof Christine Kuehner, General Secretary, Marie-Pierre Strippoli and councillors Professor Martin Preisig and Professor James Kirkbride.
We also convene a Local Organising Committee for each conference, as well as a Scientific Committee.
The Local Organising Committee for our 20th Congress in Cambridge, UK, 8-10 September, 2022 is chaired by Professor James B. Kirkbride (UCL, UK). Full details of the Committee can be found on our congress home page.