News Release

Elsevier launches Asian Journal of Psychiatry

Official journal of the Asian Federation of Psychiatric Associations

Business Announcement

Elsevier

AMSTERDAM, 22 September 2008 – Elsevier is pleased to announce the launch of a new journal, in collaboration with the Asian Federation of Psychiatric Associations (AFPA), entitled Asian Journal of Psychiatry. (http://www.ajp.elsevier.com).

The Asian Journal of Psychiatry is the official journal of the Asian Federation of Psychiatric Associations (AFPA), representing psychiatry in over 40 countries within Asian continent. It is to be the premier voice of psychiatric research and development in the Asian continent from Turkey to Kathmandu and the article regions to the southern most tip of Asia. The journal seeks to bridge a knowledge gap in the application and transfer of research findings and clinical practice throughout Asia to and from the rest of the world.

The journal will be officially launched on Tuesday, 23 September, during the XIV World Congress of Psychiatry, held in Prague (Czech Republic) from 20 – 25 September 2008 (http://www.wpa-prague2008.cz) by Professor Mario Maj, Naples University, Italy - the incoming President of the World Psychiatric Association, followed by distinguished members of the international editorial team, presidents and board members of national societies.

The focus of this peer-reviewed journal will be on psychiatric research pertinent to Asia produced either within or outside the continent. Potential submissions may also include pre-clinical, clinical, service system and policy development research relevant to psychiatry. Manuscripts highlighting social-cultural diversity of the region pertaining mental health are also welcome. Authors are invited to submit their work to the Asian Journal of Psychiatry through the online submission and review system - http://ees.elsevier.com/ajp

The first issue includes an Asian perspective report on the psychosocial responses to disaster, outlining the psychosocial intervention efforts from nine Asian nations when confronted with large-scale natural catastrophic events, such as the Indian Ocean Tsunami, India, 2004. The article includes reports from situations where local services have some capacity to respond as well as those where services are destroyed or overwhelmed. The first issue is available for free online at www.sciencedirect.com

"Mental disorders are among the most disabling of health problems worldwide. While effective treatments are available for many of these disorders, much remains to be learnt," said the Editor-in-Chief, Professor Matcheri Keshavan, "There is a strong need to accumulate and disseminate evidence based literature on psychiatric disorders, especially as it pertains to the Asian continent, where three fifth of the world population lives. There is currently a dearth for journals of high quality that address this need. The Asian Journal of Psychiatry, hopes to fill that important need, and will be a platform for new and clinically relevant research and education."

Dr. Russell D'Souza Chair Managing Board of the Asian Federation of Psychiatric Associations explained the role of the new Journal, "Mental health problems appear to be increasing in developing and developed nations of Asia. Resources are outstripped by magnitude of mental illness. What is critically needed are evidence based, cost effective diagnosis, treatment and preventive approaches to major mental disorders. Expanding the scientific knowledge about psychiatric disorders and new diagnostic and therapeutic modalities will improve global mental health."

"It gives us great pleasure to announce the launch of the Asian Journal of Psychiatry which will contribute to the development of mental health disorders in the Asian society. It fills a critical need in a continent where more than 450 million people are reported to suffer from mental and neurological disorders," noted Lisa M. Colson, Elsevier Publishing Editor for Psychiatry journals, "The Journal has an excellent team of experts with great enthusiasm, passion and dedication to its success. The Asian Journal of Psychiatry is particularly unique in its unilateral approach to Asia and Asian researchers, enhancing psychiatric research and development on the Asian continent. Congratulations to the Editorial Team of the Asian Journal of Psychiatry, the Asian Federation of Psychiatric Associations and all those involved with this very first issue."

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About the Asian Federation of Psychiatric Associations (AFPA)

The AFPA evolved from the aspirations of countless number of Asian psychiatrists for over a century who strived to create the meeting place of Asian psychiatrists. It was officially launched at the 13th WPA Congress held in Cairo in 2005. Although the AFPA is still a very young organization, it is already very active in supporting training programs in countries with limited resources, promoting collaborative research across countries and mobilizing resources at times of disasters.

About Elsevier Society Publishing

Elsevier is committed to building unique, long-lasting relationships to help societies achieve their publishing goals and provide value-added member services. Elsevier partners with more than 500 international learned societies, professional associations and research institutes.

About Elsevier

Elsevier is a world-leading publisher of scientific, technical and medical information products and services. Working in partnership with the global science and health communities, Elsevier's 7,000 employees in over 70 offices worldwide publish more than 2,000 journals and 1,900 new books per year, in addition to offering a suite of innovative electronic products, such as ScienceDirect (http://www.sciencedirect.com/), MD Consult (http://www.mdconsult.com/), Scopus (http://www.info.scopus.com/), bibliographic databases, and online reference works.

Elsevier (http://www.elsevier.com/) is a global business headquartered in Amsterdam, The Netherlands and has offices worldwide. Elsevier is part of Reed Elsevier Group plc (http://www.reedelsevier.com/), a world-leading publisher and information provider. Operating in the science and medical, legal, education and business-to-business sectors, Reed Elsevier provides high-quality and flexible information solutions to users, with increasing emphasis on the Internet as a means of delivery. Reed Elsevier's ticker symbols are REN (Euronext Amsterdam), REL (London Stock Exchange), RUK and ENL (New York Stock Exchange).


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