Translate this page into:
Indian Psychiatric Society West Bengal State Branch: A Year of Academic and Organizational Activities (2025–2026)
-
Received: ,
Accepted: ,
How to cite this article: Garg S. Indian Psychiatric Society West Bengal State Branch: A Year of Academic and Organizational Activities (2025– 2026). Bengal J Psychiatry. 2026;31:1-4. doi: 10.25259/BJPSY_9_2026
Abstract
The year 2025–2026 was marked by significant academic, organizational, and outreach activities undertaken by the Indian Psychiatric Society, West Bengal State Branch (IPS WBSB). Alongside strengthening governance and administrative processes, the branch organized major scientific conferences, continuing medical education programs, workshops, trainee development initiatives, research training activities, and public awareness programs. Our homage also to our stalwart Dr. Dinen Banerjee, whom we lost this year. This report presents a chronological account of the major activities undertaken during the year and highlights the contribution of the branch towards psychiatric education, professional development, and mental health advocacy.
Keywords
Conference report
Continuing medical education
IPS WBSB
Mental health advocacy
Professional development
Psychiatry
INTRODUCTION
The Indian Psychiatric Society, West Bengal State Branch, has traditionally remained one of the most active state branches of the Indian Psychiatric Society. During 2025–2026, the branch continued its efforts towards strengthening psychiatric education, encouraging research, supporting young psychiatrists, and promoting mental health awareness. The year was also notable for several organizational developments that enhanced transparency, governance, and publication activities.
Organizational strengthening
One of the major achievements during the reporting period was the successful completion of the long-pending process of updating the registration of the society. Annual statutory returns were filed up to date, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. The branch was also registered on NGO Darpan. Financial operations were streamlined through the restructuring of banking arrangements and the opening of new current accounts. Another important development was the collaboration with Scientific Scholar to improve the quality and visibility of the branch journal and facilitate future indexing efforts.
Academic and professional activities
PSYCON 2025 (1–3 August 2025)
The annual state conference was held at Haldia on the theme 'Interface of Psychiatry and Medicine'. The conference featured scientific sessions by distinguished faculty members and addressed contemporary developments relevant to psychiatric practice. The program also included UG and PG quizzes, awareness activities for local physicians, publication of a Bengali-language mental health awareness booklet, and sporting events for members [Figure 1].
Postgraduate development program (15 August 2025)
More than one hundred delegates attended this program designed to support academic development and professional growth among psychiatry trainees.
Research methods workshop (22–23 August 2025)
Organized jointly with Tata Medical Center, Kolkata, the workshop provided practical training in literature search, reference management, study design, and statistics. Participants identified lack of resources, inadequate research training, and time constraints as major barriers to research.
Mental health awareness program (29 August 2025)
An awareness program was conducted at Surya Sen College, Siliguri, to promote mental health literacy and suicide prevention among students and members of the community.
MIDCIPS 2025 (30–31 August 2025)
The conference was organized on the theme 'Breaking the Silence – Talking about Suicide'. The scientific program included lectures, symposia, free papers, and e-posters and attracted more than 500 registrations [Figure 2].
Workshop on transactional analysis (19–20 September 2025)
Conducted in collaboration with the Department of Psychiatry, Calcutta National Medical College and Hospital, the workshop focused on communication skills, psychotherapy concepts, and practical applications of transactional analysis [Figure 3].
Continuing Medical Education (CME) on dementia (20 September 2025)
Held to observe World Alzheimer’s Day, the CME addressed challenges in dementia care, sleep-related issues in dementia, and emerging therapeutic approaches [Figure 4].
Ug quiz 2025 (23 September 2025)
Medical students from across the state participated in the annual quiz competition. The winners subsequently represented West Bengal at the zonal level.
World Mental Health Day Program (10 October 2025)
Observed jointly with East Zone Indian Psychiatric Society (IPS) and Conference of the Eastern Zonal Branch of the Indian Psychiatric Society (CEZIPS) activities, the program focused on the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Act and its relevance to workplace mental health and professional practice.
CEZIPS 2025 golden jubilee conference (30 October–1 November 2025)
Hosted in Kolkata, the conference theme was 'Charting Psychiatry Across Civilizations, Communities, and Cells'. The event featured plenary lectures, workshops, symposiums, free papers, and a special felicitation program honoring senior leaders of the profession [Figure 5].
CME on long-acting injectable antipsychotics (15 November 2025)
Case-based discussions and panel deliberations explored the role of long-acting injectable antipsychotics in modern psychiatric practice.
CME on sleep (23 November 2025)
Organized in collaboration with Command Hospital, Kolkata, the multidisciplinary program addressed sleep physiology, sleep disorders, polysomnography, and contemporary therapeutic approaches. Paper and poster presentations were also included.
Program on POCSO Act (18 April 2026)
The program brought together psychiatrists, legal experts, and child-rights professionals to discuss implementation challenges, mandatory reporting, ethical issues, and prevention of re-traumatization within the framework of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
DISCUSSION
The activities conducted during the year reflect the multidimensional role of the Indian Psychiatric Society, West Bengal State Branch (IPS WBSB). Major conferences provided opportunities for scientific exchange, while CME programs addressed important areas of clinical practice. Research training initiatives strengthened academic capacity, and awareness programs extended the branch’s engagement beyond professional circles. Equally important were the organizational reforms that enhanced governance and administrative efficiency.
CONCLUSION
The year 2025–2026 was characterized by sustained academic activity, institutional strengthening, and community engagement. The successful organization of conferences, workshops, CMEs, and outreach programs demonstrates the continued commitment of IPS WBSB towards advancing psychiatric education and mental healthcare. These achievements were made possible through the collective efforts of our dynamic team which includes Dr Rima Mukherji (President), Dr Muktananda Kundu (Vice President), Dr Subrata Naskar (Treasurer), Dr Subir Bhattacharjee (Editor) and Dr Aratrika Sen, Dr Mahua Jana Dubey, Dr Nilanjan Chandra, Dr Anish Kumar Dawn, Dr Imon Paul, Dr Saurabh Sankar Kundu (EC Members) and myself Dr Sanjay Garg (Secretary) along with Dr Aniruddha Deb and Dr Kaustav Chakraborty (Ex Officio) and the wider membership of the society.
Ethical approval:
Institutional Review Board approval is not required.
Declaration of patient consent:
Patient’s consent not required as there are no patients in this study.
Conflicts of interest:
There are no conflicts of interest.
Use of artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted technology for manuscript preparation:
The authors confirm that there was no use of artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted technology for assisting in the writing or editing of the manuscript, and no images were manipulated using AI.
Financial support and sponsorship: Nil.