Dr Anis Ahmed

Summary

Drawing on leadership roles in RCPsych’s Volunteering & International Psychiatry Special Interest Group (VIpSIG) ,Diaspora Groups, the Forensic Faculty, and the Special Committee for Human Rights, I am dedicated to transforming workforce wellbeing and member support. I will drive innovation, elevate psychiatrist profiles, and advance impactful mental health advocacy.

My statement in full

This statement will soon be available in Welsh.

I am honoured to stand for the position of Registrar of the Royal College of Psychiatrists. My diverse experience as Chair of the Volunteering and International Psychiatrists Special Interests Group (VIPSIG), an executive member of the RCPsych Forensic Faculty, a member of the RCPsych Special Committee for Human Rights, and Clinical Lead in Psychiatry at Aston Medical School has uniquely equipped me for this role.

🌱 Workforce Wellbeing & Member Support

✅ Burnout/Moral Injury: In VIPSIG, I have led training programmes that prepare psychiatrists for volunteering in conflict zones and humanitarian settings, effectively addressing moral injury and burnout.

✅ Career Support: In my role as President of the British Bangladeshi Psychiatrists Association (BBPA), I have expanded peer support networks to assist psychiatrists from diverse backgrounds in navigating their career challenges

📜 Policy & Advocacy for Psychiatrists

✅ International Collaboration: I initiated discussions with UN Volunteers to create global opportunities for psychiatrists, positioning RCPsych as a leader in international mental health.

✅ Local Collaboration: I organised BBPA’s Annual Conference on Mental Health & the Criminal Justice System, featuring MPs and judges while advocating for meaningful policy change in UK.

✅ Enforced Disappearances: Taken new initiative to address the mental health toll on victims of enforced disappearances, contributing to global policy development as part of therapeutic justice. My work elevates the position of psychiatrists globally and positively impacts lives by developing support structures for those affected by political persecution and state violence.

🏛️ Membership Engagement & Community Outreach

✅ Expanded Volunteering Opportunities: I significantly increased volunteering opportunities, enhancing member engagement in international initiatives that enable psychiatrists to contribute meaningfully worldwide.

✅ Annual Video Pitch Competition: I initiated popular competition as a platform for members to showcase innovative mental health volunteering ideas, promoting global collaboration among psychiatrists.

✅ Micro Volunteering Innovation: I am supporting a local NGO in Birmingham to run a mobile mental health literacy unit by providing VIPSIG volunteers for awareness sessions in underserved communities, significantly enhancing public engagement and awareness of mental health issues.

🗣️ Why these matter for the Registrar Role ?

All these initiatives have been achieved without a formal College position—driven purely by my commitment to psychiatry and supporting colleagues. As Registrar, I will have the official mandate and resources to:

✅ Strengthen workforce wellbeing by enhancing mentoring, coaching, and PSS, ensuring psychiatrists receive meaningful support.

✅ Maximize policy impact, ensuring RCPsych’s statements influence government, NHS workforce planning, and funding decisions.

✅ Expand membership engagement, ensuring equity, inclusion, and active representation for all members

✅ Advance AI, telepsychiatry, sustainability and digital psychiatry initiatives to prepare psychiatrists for the future.

Psychiatry is evolving, and we need a strong, credible, and experienced voice to advocate for us all. My voluntary work has demonstrated my commitment and ability to deliver impactful change.If elected, I will continue this work on a larger, more structured scale, ensuring that every member of RCPsych benefits. I would be honoured to serve as your Registrar and work with you to shape the future of our College.