About us

The Occupational Psychiatry Special Interest Group (OPSIG) aims to raise awareness of the value of occupational psychiatry within, and outside of, the College and to encourage appropriate research on the subject.

It acts as a forum for psychiatrists interested in occupational psychiatry to share ideas, dilemmas and research ideas.

The SIG maintains good working relationships with the Society of Occupational Medicine, the Faculty of Occupational Medicine and the Division of Occupational Psychology at the British Psychological Society.

Find out more about the committee's members and meetings.

Upcoming events

Future events will be listed here, and on the main College events page.

Past events

OPSIG Webinar | Teachers’ mental health and the hazards of a profession; occupational psychiatry for the education sector

Monday 16 September 2024, 3PM - 5PM

Occupational Psychiatry in practice: fitness for work, from the Armed Forces to Formula 1, and what you need to know

Monday 18 March 2024, 3.30pm - 6.30pm (including a drinks reception after the talks)

Pilots as patients and fitness to fly; the unique challenges of aviation psychiatry

Wednesday 5 July 2023, 3.30pm - 6.30pm (including a drinks reception after the talks)

How might doctors’ health affect their ability to safely deliver high quality, effective, care?

Thursday 26 January 2023, 3pm-4.30pm – online webinar

OPSIG Evening Talk July 2022: Organisational justice and chronic embitterment; where does the role of the healthcare professional start and end

Tuesday 5 July 2022, 4pm-7.15 pm at the Royal College of Psychiatrists, 21 Prescot Street, London, E1 8BB

Detection of Malingering in Clinical Practice Evening Meeting

Thursday 5 September 2019, 5:30pm-8:30pm at the Royal College of Psychiatrists, 21 Prescot Street, London, E1 8BB

Please see programme for further details.

Please see the below presentation by Dr Derek Tracy and related papers:

When is a death threat a real threat? – 8 December 2020

You can watch a recording of the event if you were unable to attend on the day.

This talk is of relevance to Occupational Psychiatrists, Occupational Physicians and all health-care staff working in Occupational Medicine who may have to assess the mental health of their patients who report harassment, bullying, feeling threatened or insecure in the workplace. However, the topic should also be of interest to all psychiatric and occupational health trainees and to general adult psychiatrists, including those who work in a forensic setting.

Speaker: Philip Grindell is the founder and CEO of Defuse Global, a Threat Management Consultancy that eliminates the anxiety, fear and uncertainty caused by fixated persons who target high-profile people and organisations with stalking, harassment, abuse, threats and intimidation.

Philip has served as a Scotland Yard Detective for the Metropolitan Police for almost 30 years in specialist roles, including time spent seconded to British Intelligence on Counter-Terrorist Investigations. More recently, he was chosen to build and manage a specialist security team, which includes two forensic psychologists, following the murder of Jo Cox MP.

Health Anxiety in the Workplace Webinar with an emphasis on COVID-19 – 7 July 2020

The SIG hosted a webinar on 7 July between 4:00pm and 5:00pm.

You can watch a recording of the event if you were unable to attend on the day.

You can also access the slides (PPT) from the various presentations.

Consensus statement from the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, RCN and Allied Health Professions Federation on Work and Health.

2024 Poster Prize

Please note, only trainees who have purchased a ticket to attend the event will be able to present a poster.

All psychiatry trainees are invited to present a poster at the OPSIG event on 18 March, with the winner being awarded the annual Occupational Psychiatry Poster Prize! The poster should focus on a clinical scenario and accompanying literature review. It does not need to be a real case, it could be fictional, but if based on a patient must be appropriately anonymised for educational purposes. GMC guidance and supervisors would assist if in any doubt.

The winner will receive free attendance to our 2025 meetings and an invitation to speak at a future OPSIG event, as well as the recognition of being a prize winner of course!

You will need to purchase a ticket in order to present your poster. Please bring your poster to the conference where it will be judged by the panel on the day. To confirm your poster submission or if you have any questions please email: sigs@rcpsych.ac.uk.

2023 Poster Prize Winner

Dr Maya Huby – Impact of severe mental illness on education and future career prospects

Contact us

If you have any enquiries about the OPSIG please contact sigs@rcpsych.ac.uk.

Read more to receive further information regarding a career in psychiatry