World Congress of Psychiatry underway in Prague

The 14th World Congress of Psychiatry began in Prague on Saturday. The Congress, held every three years, is taking place for the first time in a post-communist country. More than 6,000 psychiatrists from around the world are attending the event; they will deliver around 3,000 contributions in 19 sections. Prague Mayor Pavel Bém, who is a psychiatrist, is scheduled to speak on Monday. Besides general topics, the Congress will also focus on some controversial issues related to homosexuality, hypochondria, and various atypical psychoses.

Outside the Prague Congress Centre, around 500 people with ties to the Church of Scientology protested on Saturday the use of psychiatric medication and psychiatry in general.