International Psychiatry Conference Starts in Jeddah

The 17th annual International Conference on Psychiatry, titled “New Horizon in Mental health Services,” and its accompanying exhibition opened today in Jeddah.

 The three-day conference, organized by the Saudi Psychiatric Association and the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties, discusses aspects of mental health care and its improvement at both the individual and community levels. It aims to open new horizons in raising awareness of mental health issues, promoting scientific research, and highlighting the Kingdom's leadership role in advancing mental health on both regional and international levels.

 Saudi Psychiatric Association president Prof. Mahdi Abou Madini said that the conference represents a significant opportunity for mental health service providers in the Kingdom and for professionals in the field from around the world, adding that the conference is part of the association's commitment to improving the quality of mental health care and developing the services provided to patients.

 The conference will feature more than seven discussion sessions and 44 workshops, with the participation of 160 speakers, including local and international experts and specialists. Among the major topics that will be discussed during the conference are the importance of psychiatry, encouraging scientific research in mental health, developments in cognitive behavioral therapy, improving access to mental health care, and others.