Death of Haratoon Davoudian (founder of psychiatry in Iran), November 12. Haratoon Davoudian was a prominent figure in Iranian medicine who played a key role in establishing and developing psychiatry in the country. In the early twentieth century, through his scientific and educational efforts, he introduced psychiatry as a specialized field in Iran and founded the first modern psychiatric hospital. Throughout his career, Davoudian trained physicians and psychiatric specialists, and expanded knowledge in this field by authoring specialized articles and books. He also contributed significantly to improving the conditions of psychiatric patients and advancing mental health in society. His work led to psychiatry becoming an integral part of Iran’s healthcare system. The death of Haratoon Davoudian on November 12, 1951, marked a turning point in the history of Iranian medicine. After his passing, his memory and contributions have been honored by the medical and academic community in Iran, and his name remains closely associated with the progress of psychiatry in the country. This day serves as a reminder of Davoudian’s role in transforming mental health care in Iran. This observance was officially added to the Gregorian calendar as a historical and scientific commemoration of the founder of psychiatry in Iran. The decision to include this day was made to honor Davoudian’s scientific and educational contributions and to highlight the importance of psychiatry within the national healthcare system.
