Originally created to produce world psychiatric congresses, it has evolved to hold regional meetings, to promote professional education and to set ethical, scientific and treatment standards for psychiatry.

[1][4] In February 1983, the Soviet All-Union Society of Neurologists and Psychiatrists resigned from the World Psychiatric Association.

[2] The societies are clustered into 18 zones and four regions: the Americas, Europe, Africa & Middle East, and Asia & Australasia.

[12] Representatives of the societies constitute the World Psychiatric Association General Assembly, the governing body of the organization.

[16] Several WPA scientific sections have their own official journals and newsletters: The association has helped establish a code of professional ethics for psychiatrists.