Major International Mental Health Conference

Major International Mental Health Conference to be Held in Invercargill

Distinguished Mental Health experts from all over the world will converge on Invercargill next month for a major international conference focusing on improving the treatment of schizophrenia.

The conference, entitled ‘Schizophrenia – where do we go from here”, is being organised by the Indo-Australasian Psychiatry Association (IAPA) and will be held at Ascot Park Hotel from the 10th-11th of May.

Dr Divijay Goel, Southland DHB Psychiatrist and IAPA conference convenor, says the event has attracted highly regarded speakers from the USA, UK, India, Australia and New Zealand, including Key note speakers Dr David Chaplow, Director of Mental Health New Zealand, Professor Dinesh Bhugra, President of the United Kingdom’s Royal College of Psychiatrists, Professor Louise Newmen, President of the Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, and chief guest His Excellency the High Commissioner of India, Admiral Sureesh Mehta.

“The programme offers an outstanding scientific feast and over 100 distinguished international delegates have already registered their attendance,” says Dr Goel.

“As well as focusing on de-stigmatising and improving the treatment of schizophrenia, this event is an exciting opportunity to highlight that Southland DHB, the southern most mental health service in the world, provides world class services in what is often regarded as a rural town at the bottom of the world!”

“I am hopeful that this event will place Invercargill firmly on the medical conference map.”

The conference, is being co-sponsored by the World Psychiatric Association, (WPA), World Association of Psychological Rehabilitation ANZ (WAPRNZ), South Asian Federation International (SAFI), Asian Federation of Psychiatric Associations (SAFI) and the Southland District Health Board.

The programme involves a series of scientific sessions, focusing on removing the stigma associated with schizophrenia and discussing innovative treatment modalities. Each session will feature an interactive forum at its conclusion for participants to discuss future directions of treatment.

“We aim to agree on consensus guidelines at the end of the research group discussions, said Dr Goel. “These guidelines will then be presented in the Asian Journal of Psychiatry as findings of the Invercargill Conference.”

The public and the media are also invited to attend an open session of the conference on day two, focussing on the themes of Recovery, Rehabilitation and Social Inclusion.

The open session, to be held from 2pm-4pm on 11 May, features Invercargill Mayor Tim Shadbolt as chief guest. Dr Goel says the interactive session will allow consumers, carers, support groups and the general public to interact with leading experts in the field.

“This session, and the conference as a whole, aims to inform, help remove the stigma of schizophrenia and to convey a message of hope to those whose lives are touched by mental illness,” Dr Goel says.

ENDS