Introduction of WHO Collaborating Center

Tehran Institute of Psychiatry was established as a WHO Collaborating Center in mental health at the suggestion of Dr. Ahmad Mohit, an advisor at the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean (WHO/EMRO) and his colleagues Professor Norman Sartorius, former director of the World Health Organization's Division of Mental Health An independent evaluation of the Mental Health Program was conducted in November 1995 and the evaluation process was reviewed by the mental health authorities of the WHO/EMRO on June 1, 1995. The WHO Collaborating Center was finally inaugurated on June 2, 1998 by Dr. Hussein Al-Jazayeri, Regional Director of WHO/EMRO. The opening of this center in 1998 turned Tehran Institute of Psychiatry into a major technical and advisory body in the Ministry of Health and Medical Education as well as the World Health Organization striving to meet national and regional needs in the area of mental health. Upon review of the Center’s domain of activities and its accreditation by EMRO in 2004, its status as a WHO Collaborating Center in mental health was extended according to periodic evaluation so far. The Center was established in 1998 with Dr. Jafar Bolhari and expanded the scope of its education, research, and publication activities with the help of a number of faculty members according to its ToR. It is currently a renowned mental health center in Eastern Mediterranean.

From the year 2016 till 2023, Prof. Seyed Kazem Malakouti was appointed Head of the Center and continued to work with faculty members. since 2023, Dr. Mohammad Reza Pirmoradi was appointed Head of the WHOcc to continue performing activities with faculty members. The institute redesignated with the new terms of reference for four years between 2024 and2028.

The Center is collaborating with the WHO on the following projects in the current year:

• WHO Collaborating Center in mental health,
• Collaboration on research on mental health at the international and regional levels,
• Conducting educational activities and organizing training workshops on mental health in the region,
• Collaboration with other WHOCCs in the region,
• Submission of annual performance reports to the WHO,

Responsible Officer in EMRO:Khalid Saeed           Email:  saeedkwho.int

Technical Counterpart: Alexandra Fleishmann        Email:  fleischmannawho.int