Dear Member Societies,

This morning, the World Psychiatric Association (WPA) launched its much-anticipated 2024 Medical Student Essay Competition, a WPA Presidential initiative with the support of the United Nations Secretariat – Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Division for Sustainable Development Goals.

Medical students worldwide are invited to submit an essay [of 3000 words or less] by May 15 on this year's theme of "Improving Mental Health in the Global World Using the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)."

The WPA hopes this challenge will inspire medical students to explore innovative approaches and solutions that align with the UN's comprehensive set of goals for sustainable development.

WPA President Danuta Wasserman would like this announcement to reach as many medical students as possible, and she hopes you can help achieve that by sharing it with your networks and members of your professional organizations. The WPA looks forward to showcasing the promise of the next generation of medical doctors.

The competition webpage and the announcement can be found on the WPA website at the links below:
https://www.wpanet.org/medical-students-essay-comp-24
https://www.wpanet.org/post/wpa-launches-2024-medical-student-essay-competition-focused-on-mental-health-and-united-nations-sust

All Finalists and the full text of their essays will be showcased on the WPA website, spotlighting both the authors and their ideas, and the winning essay will also be translated into all six World Health Organization (WHO) official languages. Moreover, the winner will be acknowledged at the 24th World Congress of Psychiatry in Mexico City (WCP 2024). To facilitate their participation in the congress, their registration fee will be waived and a Travel Award of up to $1500 USD will be granted to cover travel and accommodation expenses.

Thank you very much for your assistance.


Danuta Wasserman M.D., Ph.D.
Professor of Psychiatry and Suicidology
Karolinska Institutet (KI), Stockholm, Sweden

Head and Founder of NASP
National Centre for Suicide Research and Prevention of Mental Ill-Health at KI

Director, WHO Collaborating Centre
Research, Methods Development, Training in Suicide Prevention

President of the WPA
World Psychiatric Association