The social responsibility of psychiatry

Abstract

Playwright George Bernard Shaw and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill had a somewhat friendly rivalry. In a famous exchange Shaw wrote: “Dear Churchill, I am enclosing two tickets for the first night of my new play, trust you will come and bring a friend… if you find one,” to which Sir Winston replied: “Dear Shaw, I cannot possibly attend the first performance, but will try to attend the second… if there is one.” Although this is not a play, it is indeed the second time my country has been honored to host this world summit. It is quite a distinction! As some of you may recall, in 1971 Mexico hosted the V Congress of the World Psychiatric Association (WPA).