World Health Organization: Revision of ICD-10 Mental and Behavioural Disorders

IUPsyS is psychology’s international organization in Official Relations with the WHO and these were renewed in January 2014.   In this capacity IUPsyS was appointed to the International Advisory Group (IAG) for the Revision of ICD-10 Mental and Behavioural Disorders in 2006 and Secretary General, Dr Ann Watts, currently represents the Union on the IAG. Psychology’s contributions to the development of ICD-11 remain a key IUPsyS strategic priority.  To support this important initiative the IUPsyS has seconded psychologist Dr Geoff Reed to the WHO to serve as Senior Project Officer for the Mental and Behavioural Disorders component of the ICD-10 revision.  In this capacity Dr Reed reports to the Director of the WHO Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Dr Shekhar Saxeena, and Dr Pierre Ritchie, Co-Main Representative (Psychology) to WHO.  Dr Reed’s work at WHO has been suported by major grants  from the American Psychological Association (APA) to IUPsyS (2008-12; 2013-14;2015-6).  The Agreement for the 2015-16 grant was signed in Paris in July by IUPsyS Secretary General, Dr Ann Watts, and APA CEO, Dr Norman Anderson.  Institutional support for the revision process has also been provided by, for example, the University of Ottawa.

The IUPsyS has coordinated the involvement of National Members in the ICD-10 revision project.  This has included the recruitment of individual psychologists for focal activities and the participation of thousands of psychologists world-wide in ICD surveys, formative and evaluative field trials, and related activities.  In this regard, the IUPsyS is inviting psychologists to register for the WHO Global Clinical Practice Network.  By joining this network you will be part of an international and multidisciplinary group of mental health and primary care professionals from all parts of the world who will provide important input on the ICD-11.  This will help ensure it’s clinical utility across a range of contexts and cultures.  To find out more about the WHO Global Clinical Practice Network and to register for it please follow this link: http://www.globalclinicalpractice.net. Please find attached the WHO-IUPsyS Global Clinical Practice Network Invitation Letter.