Cooperation with the World Psychiatric Association (WPA), the European Psychiatric Association (EPA), and the Psychiatric Association for Eastern Europe and the Balkans (PAEEB)

The Serbian Psychiatric Association (SPA) is a full member of the WPA and EPA, actively contributing to international academic and professional exchange in the field of psychiatry. Since its founding, UPS presidents have participated as official delegates in all congresses of the World Psychiatric Association and the European Psychiatric Association.
A particularly significant contribution to international cooperation was made by Academician Prof. Dr. Dušica Lečić Toševski, honorary president of SPA, who served as the WPA Zonal Representative and a member of the WPA Executive Committee from 2005 to 2011 She was also the secretary and later the chair of the WPA Section on Preventive Psychiatry, deputy chair of the WPA Task Force, and a member of several WPA sections. Her contributions have been recognized through her title as honorary president of PAEEB.
UPS members are actively involved in EPA as members of the Council and the Education Committee, as well as various association sections. Additionally, they have participated in research on ethical issues in psychiatry across European countries in collaboration with EPA. Furthermore, EPA has supported SPA events, enhancing both their quality and international cooperation.

Cooperation with the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations (UN), and Non-Governmental Organizations

UPS closely collaborates with international organizations, including the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), and the World Health Organization (WHO). This cooperation includes several significant initiatives, such as:

• “Schools Without Violence” Project (UNICEF) – aimed at preventing violence and child abuse, with the goal of creating safer educational environments.
• Programs for the prevention of mental disorders and the promotion of mental health (WHO) – including the education of professionals, harmonization of mental health care systems in the region, development of community-based mental health care models, and the destigmatization of people with mental disorders.