Special Interest Group

Our organisation has previously undertaken initiatives to establish special interest groups within IACAPAP; however, these endeavours have proven to be short-lived and unsustainable. Currently, we are revisiting the establishment of standing special interest groups as a peer-to-peer educational and capacity-building mechanism, with the objective of fostering more enduring and impactful groups, preferably led by dedicated members.  

Special interest groups in child and adolescent psychiatry focus on specific areas within child and adolescent psychiatry, allowing professionals to delve deeper into research, treatment, and advocacy for these unique populations and concerns.  

Special interest groups in child and adolescent psychiatry play a crucial role in the following: 

1. Advancing research and knowledge in specific areas  
2. Developing and disseminating best practices and guidelines  
3. Providing education and training for professionals  
4. Advocating for policies and programs supporting children's mental health  
5. Facilitating networking and collaboration among experts  
6. Promoting awareness and reducing stigma around mental health issues  
7. Informing healthcare policy and decision-making  
8. Supporting clinical practice and quality improvement  
9. Fostering international collaboration and knowledge sharing  
10. Enhancing patient care and outcomes through specialised expertise  
     

As an association dedicated to child and adolescent psychiatry, our specialized interest groups are capable of fostering innovation and advancement in the areas of diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Furthermore, these groups can enhance access to specialized care and services while addressing the distinct challenges and needs present within the discipline.  

Should these Special Interest Groups (SIGs) be established and fortified, they will be positioned to collaborate closely with professional organizations, academic institutions, and government entities in pursuit of their objectives. Furthermore, these SIGs offer a platform for professionals to exchange knowledge, engage in collaboration, and further the advancement of the field of child and adolescent psychiatry. 

An outline of the process for setting up a SIG has been created as guide for individuals/ groups willing to set up a SIG:

• Submitting a proposal (in Word or PDF format) with a CV. The proposal shall include but not be limited to the following. Submission by email to IACAPAP Secretary General through the IACAPAP Executive Officer (info@iacapap.org).
  • Please describe the SIG referencing, citing some research that has been done in this field, a description of what you intend to discuss and achieve, etc.
  • The SIG Promoter/Coordinator must demonstrate some evidence that there are members of IACAPAP interested in being a part of this SIG. A minimum of at least 10 members is recommended.
• Once it’s approved by the Bureau, the SIG coordinator shall submit an article about the SIG and publish it in the IACAPAP Bulletin, and may be followed by a dedicated lunch & learn webinar (45 – 60 minutes) where possible with support from the IACAPAP Executive Officer. By organising these two activities, we hope it will help further generate interest of IACAPAP members to join and participate in the SIG.
• After completing the two activities mentioned, the SIG will be eligible to present a symposium at the upcoming IACAPAP Congress.

Please note that interest groups may evolve over time, and new ones may emerge as the field advances. We encourage members to be on the watch for the call for submissions of proposals for SIGs in the next few weeks.

If you have any questions, please contact us at info@iacapap.org.