The Singapore
Psychiatric Association (SPA), the first professional body
of psychiatrists was formed in 1980. At that time, there
were about 25 practising psychiatrists in Singapore. The
inauguration AGM was held in the old Woodbridge Hospital.
The formation of SPA was given impetus so that Singapore
could be a founding member of the ASEAN Federation of Psychiatry
and Mental Health which was formed in 1981. Soon after SPA
opened its associate membership to other mental health workers
i.e. nurses, psychologists, occupational therapists and
medical social workers etc, who had been a great support
to its activities and programmes in the early years.
