Dear Colleagues and Friends,

It is with great enthusiasm that I welcome you to our upcoming scientific society meeting in Italy, where we will gather to explore one of the most pressing challenges of our time: “Mental health in an increasingly polarized and uncertain world: the role of epidemiology and public health.”

Mental health is a cornerstone human wellbeing, yet it remains profoundly vulnerable to the societal forces that shape our contemporary world. As we witness political polarization, economic inequality, and global uncertainty rise, we are simultaneously observing rising rates of psychiatric disorders and distress important population subgroups. Conflicts, forced migration, and climate-related disasters continue to test the resilience of communities worldwide. Never has our work been more vital, nor has the need for evidence-based public health approaches been more urgent.

Our meeting theme recognizes that mental health cannot be understood in isolation from the social, political, and economic contexts in which people live. The symposia we have assembled reflect this comprehensive approach, from examining how political violence and polarization contribute to psychiatric distress, to exploring trauma and forced migration’s psychological toll, to advancing methodological innovations that will shape the future of our field. We will delve into critical human rights perspectives on mental healthcare quality, harness the potential of artificial intelligence and social media for surveillance and intervention, and trace mental health trajectories across the entire lifecourse from adolescence to older age.

What makes our gathering particularly valuable is the opportunity for genuine scientific exchange across geographical, cultural, and disciplinary boundaries. In an era when isolation and division are ascendant, our international collaboration stands as a powerful counterforce. Sharing unique perspectives shaped by regional contexts, research traditions, and clinical experiences will galvanize collaboration and scientific advancements.

Italy provides an inspiring backdrop for our deliberations, with its rich history of pioneering community mental health reforms and commitment to human dignity in psychiatric care. As we convene in this setting, we honor both the progress achieved and acknowledge the considerable work that remains. Our discussions will not only advance scientific knowledge but also we hope can inform policies and interventions that can meaningfully improve lives across diverse populations.

I encourage you to engage fully in the formal sessions, informal discussions, and collaborative opportunities this meeting provides. Together, we can forge new pathways for understanding and addressing mental health in our complex world, translating epidemiological insights into actionable public health strategies.

Welcome to what promises to be an intellectually stimulating and impactful meeting.

With warm regards,

Katherine Keyes, Ph.D
President, WPA Epidemiology and Public Health Section