The initial suggestion for this collaboration came from Dr Astrid Freisen of Selbst betroffene Profis - a group for health professionals with bipolar which is associated with the German bipolar society Deutsche Gesellschaft für Bipolare Störungen. Astrid contacted DSN by email and suggested that we propose a joint symposium for the World Psychiatry Association Congress due to be held in Berlin from 8-12th October 2017. Bearing in mind that our discussion was entirely carried out online and that we did not meet in person until the day before the symposium, our arrangements including agreeing the symposium titles, content and abstract were extremely practical and straightforwards.

We proposed a symposium of three talks with the overall title:

• Dr Louise Freeman, DSN vice chair, gave a general background to the topic of physician health : Invisible patients : doctors with mental health problems

• Dr Angelika Luehrs, DSN chair, presented a history of the founding of DSN and its activities over the past two decades: The Doctors’ Support Network in the UK : peer support for doctors with mental health problems over two decades

• Dr Astrid Freisen explained the history of the Selbst betroffene Profis group in Germany: The German Situation - a short overview about the development of the support and interest group "Selbst betroffene Profis" (self-affected professionals) providing support for doctors with mental health problems

The symposium itself was very well attended by approximately eighty delegates with literally standing room only. The audience listened attentively and contributed to a lengthy debate on physician health which was only terminated by the next occupants of the room arriving. Delegates from Australia, Brazil, South Africa and Switzerland, to mention only a few participants, spoke about the physician health situation in their home countries.

Dr Astrid Freisen - Gedanken zum Weltkongress - see English translation below)

'Der Weltkongress hat mich mit seiner Vielzahl an Themen und seinen mehr als 11.000 internationalen Teilnehmern sehr beeindruckt. Ich fand es toll, dass sich diese Internationalität auch in den Teilnehmern unseres Symposiums widerspiegelte: diese kamen u.a. aus Südafrika, Brasilien, Australien, der Schweiz oder Neuseeland. V.a. in der Abschlussdiskussion wurde noch einmal deutlich, dass es zu wenig Angebote für psychisch kranke Ärzte gibt, egal ob es um Selbsthilfeorganisationen oder strukturierte staatliche Programme geht.

Ein weiterer Höhepunkt war es, Angelika und Louise nach mehr als 12 Monaten Kontakt per Email endlich persönlich kennen zu lernen. Die Zusammenarbeit verlief toll und ich hoffe, dass wir das wiederholen können.'

Dr Angelika Luehrs, DSN chair said

'Being invited to talk together with Selbsbetroffene Profis from Germany at the WPA 2017 was both an honour and a great opportunity for DSN.
DSN has always been keen to be open about doctors with mental health problems but so far mainly on a national level and as a lone organisation representing affected doctors. Therefore being able to speak out together with another group representing doctors and across countries has been a unique opportunity. Talking together with Selbstbetroffene Profis created a unique and powerful message. The symposium was very well attended and led to a lively and interesting discussion involving professionals from all over the world. It was an encouraging and inspiring experience.'

P.S. Some sightseeing was also done!