At the outset …

I feel a strong need for a journal on Psychiatric Social Work, I don't think I need to justify why? The strongest reason is current development in Psychiatric Social Work (PSW) teaching and training institutions and rapid growth in research and publication; where hundreds of journals are new coming up. I explored the various options and I was set to start a new the journal, but then the name of the 'Indian Journal of Psychiatric Social Work' came in my mind which was started by Dr. R.K. Upadhayay, then the head Department of Psychiatric Social Work and publishing from Central Institute of Psychiatry, Ranchi. The first volume was published in 1972 and was in regular publication till 1978, volume VII was was last then discontinued many eminent faculty professionals have written paper for this journal and it was indexed in Psychological Abstracts, USA. Finally, I came into contact with Dr. R.K. Upadhayay which I was trying since two years and he graciously granted me permission to continue the Indian Journal of Psychiatric Social Work from next volume. So this is the story behind this journal which is now in your hand.