A S U

In the presence of Prof. Osama Abdel-Hay, Head of the Egyptian Medical Syndicate, the 21st International Conference on Psychiatry, the largest scientific gathering specializing in psychiatry and mental health in the Middle East, commenced under the slogan "No Health Without Mental Health."

The conference was held under the auspices of Prof. Ahmed Okasha, founder of the Ahmed Okasha Center for Psychiatry, former President of the World Psychiatric Association, Honorary President of the Egyptian Psychiatric Association, and Advisor to the President of the Republic for Mental Health; Prof. Ali El-Anwar, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Chairman of the Board of Directors of University Hospitals; Prof. Hala Samir Sweid, Vice Dean of the Faculty for Community Service and Environmental Development; and Prof. Tarek Youssef, Executive Director of University Hospitals. It was chaired by Prof. Hesham Ramy, Director of the Ahmed Okasha Center for Psychiatry, and featured the participation of a distinguished group of leading experts, specialists, and researchers in the field of mental health from Egypt and around the world.

In her address, Prof. Hala Sweid emphasized that psychiatry is a cornerstone of the modern healthcare system, noting that its services have become an integral part of various medical specialties. She explained that the psychological and therapeutic support it provides contributes to improving the quality of healthcare and its outcomes. She also commended the humanitarian and professional role of psychiatrists in supporting and caring for patients, and expressed her appreciation for the participation of experts and researchers in enriching the conference's scientific sessions.

For his part, Prof. Mumtaz Abdel Wahab, President of the Egyptian Psychiatric Association, expressed his appreciation for the significant efforts made in organizing the conference. He congratulated Prof. Hisham Rami on its outstanding success and praised the high scientific and organizational standards of the event.

He also paid special tribute to Prof. Afaf Hamed, one of the most prominent figures in psychiatry in Egypt, in recognition of her extensive scientific and professional contributions, and honored her on behalf of the Egyptian Psychiatric Association.

Prof. Amira El-Batrawi, Secretary General of the Conference, opened the conference proceedings with a welcoming address to the attending professors, researchers, and specialists, emphasizing the importance of the conference as a leading scientific platform for exchanging expertise and reviewing the latest global developments and trends in the field of psychiatry.

The conference was attended by a number of leading academic and medical figures, including Prof. Abdel Nasser Omar, Professor of Psychiatry; Prof. Nahla El-Sayed, Professor of Psychiatry; Prof. Mustafa Shaheen, Professor of Psychiatry at Cairo University; Prof. Hanan El-Rassas, Professor of Psychiatry; Prof. Hani El-Desouki, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Beni Suef University; Prof. Samia Ashour, Professor of Neurology; and Prof. Nagia Ali Fahmy, Head of the Department of Neurology, in addition to a distinguished group of professors, experts, and specialists in the fields of psychiatry and mental health from Egypt and around the world.

The conference highlighted its broad participation and prestigious scientific standing, featuring 117 official speakers and 10 international speakers from various countries, as well as the participation of 11 regional and international scientific organizations and societies, most notably the Arab Federation of Psychiatrists, the Egyptian Psychiatric Association, and the World Psychiatric Association.

The conference featured a comprehensive scientific program including 18 specialized workshops targeting medical students, graduates, and resident physicians, along with 20 scientific lectures presented by leading professors of psychiatry, showcasing the latest research and modern therapeutic applications in the field.

The conference website experienced unprecedented traffic, with nearly 1,800 participants registering, a clear indication of the growing interest in mental health issues and related scientific advancements.

The conference also offered participants 17.5 continuing medical education (CME) hours accredited by the relevant US accreditation body for CME in psychiatry, further enhancing the scientific and professional value of their participation.

The conference addressed several global priorities, including combating the stigma associated with mental health disorders, promoting the integration of mental health services across all levels of healthcare, and reinforcing the concept that "there is no health without mental health." It also reviewed the latest rapid-acting pharmacological treatments for depression and discussed the latest scientific advancements in the diagnosis and treatment of schizophrenia, all contributing to the development of mental health services and improving the quality of care provided to patients.

At the conclusion of the conference, Prof. Hisham Rami honored a select group of pioneers in psychiatry and individuals who have contributed to supporting and developing this specialty, in recognition of their scientific and professional contributions and their outstanding service to mental health.

The honorees included Prof. Adel Sadek, Prof. Mohamed Ghanem, Prof. Tarek Asaad, Prof. Hala Sweid, Prof. Osama Abdel-Hay, Prof. Mumtaz Abdel-Wahab, Prof. Mustafa Shaheen, Prof. Ayman Abbas, Prof. Ehab El-Baz, Prof. Ibrahim Badawi, Prof. Gihan El-Nahhas, Prof. Afaf Hamed, Prof. Ahmed Okasha, and Mr. Mohamed El-Sayed, in recognition of their significant contributions to supporting the advancement of psychiatry and enhancing its scientific and professional standing both locally and internationally.