The Royal College of Psychiatrists is the main professional organisation of psychiatrists in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, responsible for representing and certifying psychiatrists, psychiatric training and providing high quality public information about mental health problems.
It has been in existence in some form since 1841. First as the "Association of Medical Officers of Asylums and Hospitals for the Insane" (later changed to the Medico Psychological Association) then, in 1926 it received its Royal Charter to become the "Royal Medico Psychological Association, and finally, in 1971 receiving a Supplemental Charter to become the "Royal College of Psychiatrists"
In addition to publishing many books and producing several journals, the College produces information about mental health problems for the public.
Its offices are located at 17 Belgrave Square, in London.
Several grades of membership are available. Members use the postnomial letters MRCPsych. One of the more senior is International Associateship, which is awarded to a senior psychiatrist upon the nomination of two of their peers, and a revision of the College's Education, Training and Standards Committee for the psychiatrists accomplishments. Specifically, International Associateship may be awarded to psychiatrists with at least five years’ experience in psychiatry, who do not hold the MRCPsych, but who hold a specialist qualification in psychiatry recognizable by the college and who reside outside the UK and Ireland. International Associateships must be proposed and seconded by two full Members or Fellows of the College.
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