Liz and post-president Jim Boehnlein, 2012 Annual Meeting in New York
Photo credit: John Onate

We’re busy here, actively preparing for the 2015 annual meeting which is less than five months away.  Based on those all important evaluations that we’re always asked to complete, we’ve modified the program structure a bit.  Instead of keynote speakers, and in keeping with the global theme of the meeting, this year we will be having three plenary panels, one each day, on clinical and practice issues, funding issues and the role of non-government organizations (NGOs), and one on socio-cultural issues in global mental health.

We also will be introducing a number of interactive workshops.  Some of the workshop topics include Cultural Adaptation of Psychotherapeutic Interventions, Design, Curriculum and Implementation of Training Programs in Global Mental Health, and Cross Cultural Instrument Development and Adaptation, to name just a few.  And of course we will have our usual symposia.  Please visit www.psychiatryandculture.org to view the entire program, register and book your hotel room. Early bird registration is open now. We have not raised the registration fees this year and, in fact, have reduced them for trainees. While you’re at the website, don’t forget to pay your dues for 2015.  They are due by the end of January, but we’re happy to accept your money now if that works better for you.

The program format isn’t the only thing that’s changing.  Administratively we’re shoring up a few things, too.  Sticking with the annual meeting for another line or two, the number of participants in each workshop will be limited and pre-registration will be required.  Reservations will be accepted on a first come, first served basis, a great incentive for registering early.  This is a meeting you won’t want to miss.  The program appears on Annual Meeting page.

Speaking of dues, we’re actually going to be sending out invoices for the first time this year.  They will go to all current members as well as those who have belonged in the preceding two years but whose memberships have lapsed.  Of course new members are always welcome at any time.

Many thanks to the member volunteers who are helping to make things happen on many fronts, especially the website re-development and mentorship program.  Cheers to each and every one of you.

Finally, we’re planning to sell ads in our program book this year.  If you would like to place one, please contact me for information on sizes and prices.  And if anyone has suggestions about potential corporate sponsors, please don’t keep them a secret.

The rest of this newsletter is chock full of the many other activities that are going on within SSPC.  There also is an article on Providence, a real sleeper city, for those of you who are unfamiliar with it, so I’ll sign off now with best wishes to each of you for happy and safe holidays and a healthy and happy new year.

Warm regards.
Liz