Psychiatry for the person and its ethical perspectives

Abstract

Every medical (and psychiatric) act is or should be an ethical act. This is consistent with the fundamental aspirations of the medical and health field, from Hippocratic and similar ancient philosophical perspectives to recent developments in public and clinical policies. Ethical concerns have been priority institutional commitments since the beginnings of the World Psychiatric Association (WPA). In line with the above, the WPA established in 2005 an Institutional Program on Psychiatry for the Person. This editorial summarises the precedents, goals, structure and activities of this WPA initiative and outlines some of its ethical perspectives.