{"id":753,"date":"2026-02-24T08:58:49","date_gmt":"2026-02-24T08:58:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wpaepi2026.org\/?page_id=753"},"modified":"2026-07-23T13:04:15","modified_gmt":"2026-07-23T13:04:15","slug":"preliminary-scientific-programme","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/wpaepi2026.org\/index.php\/preliminary-scientific-programme\/","title":{"rendered":"Preliminary Scientific Programme"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Tuesday, September 29th<\/sup>, 2026<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\u00a0<\/th>HALL CASTELLO<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
11:30-12:30<\/strong><\/td>Registrations<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
12:30-12:40<\/strong><\/td>Welcome & Introduction<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
12:40-12:50<\/strong><\/td>Opening Remarks <\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
12:50-13:00<\/strong><\/td>Group Photo<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
13:00-15:00<\/strong><\/td>

Symposium 1: Quality of care and respect of rights of users<\/strong><\/p>

In collaboration with the Mediterranean Society on Mental Health supported by the programme QR of the Sardinian Autonomous Region<\/em><\/p>

Chairpersons: Miguel Xavier <\/strong>(Portugal) \u2013 Federica Sancassiani <\/strong>(Italy)<\/p>

Speakes: Thurayya Zreik <\/strong>(Lebanon) \u2013 Fatma Charfy <\/strong>(Tunisia) \u2013 Laura Loli-Dano <\/strong>(Albania) \u2013 Michela Atzeni <\/strong>and Cesar Aviles Gonzales <\/strong>(Italy) \u2013 Mohamed Elsheikh <\/strong>(Egypt)<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

15:00 \u2013 17:00<\/strong><\/td>

Symposium 2: Suicide in the Mediterranean Area <\/strong><\/p>

In collaboration with the Mediterranean Society on Mental Health and Fondazione di Sardegna<\/em><\/p>

Chairpersons: Mehmet Eskin <\/strong>(Turkey) \u2013 Rhym Ghacem <\/strong>(Tunisia)<\/p>

Speakers: Mehmet Eskin <\/strong>(Turkey) \u2013 Antonio Preti <\/strong>(Italy) \u2013 Diego Primavera <\/strong>and Massimo Tusconi <\/strong>(Italy) \u2013 Dorian A Lamis <\/strong>(USA) \u2013 Michele Fornaro <\/strong>(Italy)<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

17:00 \u2013 18:00<\/strong><\/td>Welcome Reception <\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Wednesday, September 30th<\/sup>, 2026<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\u00a0<\/th>HALL CASTELLO<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
08:00-09:00<\/strong><\/td>

Keynote Lecture 1 <\/strong><\/p>

Eleonora Prina <\/strong>(Italy): Mental health care in Italy after Basaglia<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

09:00-11:00<\/strong><\/td>

Symposium 3: Evidence about new technologies and new approaches for rehabilitation, diagnosis and social inclusion in mental health <\/strong><\/p>

In collaboration with the Mediterranean Society on Mental Health and Fondazione di Sardegna<\/em><\/p>

Chairpersons: Fabrizio Bert <\/strong>(Italy) \u2013 Oye Gureje <\/strong>(Nigeria)<\/p>

Speakes: Giuseppe Carr\u00e0 <\/strong>(Italy) \u2013 Serdar Dursun <\/strong>(Canada) \u2013 Goce Kalcev <\/strong>(North Macedonia) \u2013 Giulia Cossu and Alessandra Perra <\/strong>(Italy)<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

11:00 \u2013 11:30<\/strong><\/td>Coffee Break <\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
11:30-13:30<\/strong><\/td>

Symposium 4: Mental health in uncertain times: Political polarization, inequality and psychiatric distress <\/strong><\/p>

This symposium will examine how contemporary political polarization, growing economic inequality, and social uncertainty contribute to psychiatric disorders and psychological distress across diverse populations. Talks will explore the mechanisms linking sociopolitical stressors to mental health outcomes, identify vulnerable groups disproportionately affected by these dynamics, and discuss building individual and community resilience in politically turbulent times.<\/em><\/p>

Chairpersons: Katherine Keyes <\/strong>(USA) \u2013Corina Benjet <\/strong>(Mexico)<\/p>

Speakes: Seth Prins <\/strong>(USA) \u2013James Kirkbride <\/strong>(UK) \u2013 Frank Njenga <\/strong>(Kenya) \u2013 Girish Rao <\/strong>(India)<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

13:30-15:00<\/strong><\/td>Lunch break\u2013 Poster Viewing <\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
15:00 – 17:00<\/strong><\/td>

Symposium 5: Trauma, forced migration and mental health <\/strong><\/p>

This symposium will examine approaches to ensuring human rights protection while delivering high-quality mental health care across diverse global contexts and healthcare systems. Talks will explore emerging frameworks for rights-based treatment, address systemic barriers to dignified care, examine international best practices, and discuss novel interventions that simultaneously advance therapeutic outcomes and uphold the fundamental rights and dignity of persons with mental illness.<\/em><\/p>

Chairpersons: Elie Karam <\/strong>(Lebanon) \u2013 Solvig Ekblad <\/strong>(Sweden)<\/p>

Speakers: Elie Karam <\/strong>(Lebanon) \u2013Kimberly Hook <\/strong>(USA) \u2013 Lukoye Atwoli <\/strong>(Kenya) \u2013 Marianna Purgato <\/strong>(Italy) \u2013Jeremy Kane <\/strong>(USA)<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

17:00-18:00<\/strong><\/td>

Keynote Lecture 2 <\/strong><\/p>

Michael Ni <\/strong>(Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People\u2019s Republic of China): Mental Health during and after Collective Actions<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Thursday, October 1st<\/sup>, 2026<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\u00a0<\/th>HALL CASTELLO<\/strong><\/th>STAMPACE 1 ROOM<\/strong><\/th>STAMPACE 2 ROOM<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead>

08:00-09:00<\/strong><\/p><\/td>

Keynote Lecture 3 <\/strong><\/p>

Dinesh Bhugra <\/strong>(UK): <\/strong>Human rights perspective<\/p><\/td>

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09:00-11:00<\/strong><\/p><\/td>

Symposium 6: Human rights and quality of care and treatment for mental illness across the globe: new perspectives <\/strong><\/p>

This symposium will examine approaches to ensuring human rights protection while delivering high-quality mental health care across diverse global contexts and healthcare systems. Talks will explore emerging frameworks for rights-based treatment, address systemic barriers to dignified care, examine international best practices, and discuss novel interventions that simultaneously advance therapeutic outcomes and uphold the fundamental rights and dignity of persons with mental illness.<\/em><\/p>

Chairperson: Mauro Carta <\/strong>(Italy)<\/p>

Speakers: Solvig Ekblad <\/strong>(Sweden) \u2013 Mvuyiso Talatala <\/strong>(South Africa) \u2013\u00a0Helen Herrman <\/strong>(Australia) \u2013 Soumitra Pathare <\/strong>(India) \u2013 Marissa de Guzman <\/strong>(The Philippines)<\/p><\/td>

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11:00 \u2013 11:30<\/strong><\/td>Coffee Break <\/strong><\/td><\/tr>

11:30-13:30<\/strong><\/p><\/td>

Symposium 7: Methodological advances in global mental health and addiction science and prevention <\/strong><\/p>

This symposium explores the latest science on methodological approaches in addiction research, including novel techniques for prevalence estimation in diverse contexts, and innovative treatment strategies. Talks will examine prevention strategies and guidelines especially relevant to low- and middle-income countries, discuss advances in data collection and surveillance methods, and present new frameworks for translating epidemiological studies into policy.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>

Chairpersons:\u00a0<\/strong>Helen Herrman<\/strong> (Australia) & Viviane Kovess\u00a0<\/strong>(France)<\/p>

Speakers: Tim Slade <\/strong>(Australia) \u2013 William Axinn <\/strong>USA) & Stephanie Chardoul <\/strong>(USA) \u2013 Soraya Seedat <\/strong>(South Africa) \u2013Josh Barocas <\/strong>(USA) \u2013 Huang Yueqin <\/strong>(China)<\/p><\/td>

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13:30-15:00<\/strong><\/td>Lunch break\u2013 Poster Viewing<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
15:00-17:00<\/strong><\/td>Oral Presentations Session<\/strong><\/td>Oral Presentations Session<\/strong><\/td>Oral Presentations Session<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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Friday, October 2nd<\/sup>, 2026<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\u00a0<\/th>HALL CASTELLO<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
08:00-09:00<\/strong><\/td>

Keynote Lecture 4 <\/strong><\/p>

Tansella Award Winner<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

09:00 \u2013 11:00<\/strong><\/td>

Symposium 8: EPA Epidemiology and IFPE <\/strong><\/p>

Prevention and treatment of mental health in the community <\/strong><\/p>

(Speakers names and presentation titles TBA)<\/strong><\/p><\/td><\/tr>

11:00 -11:30<\/strong><\/td>Coffee Break <\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
11:30-13:30<\/strong><\/td>

Symposium 9: <\/strong>Social media and artificial intelligence: applications in mental health surveillance, research, and treatment<\/strong><\/p>

This symposium will examine how social media and artificial intelligence can and inform mental health research through enhanced case identification, population surveillance, and epidemiological methods. Sessions will explore innovative research designs on how social media exposures create new risks for mental health outcomes, AI applications in treatment delivery, discuss machine learning approaches for detecting mental health conditions at scale, and evaluate the efficacy and scope of new interventions across diverse clinical and research settings.<\/em><\/p>

Chairpersons:\u00a0Lukoye Atwoli\u00a0<\/strong>(Kenya)\u00a0\u2013 Antonio Egidio Nardi\u00a0<\/strong>(Brazil)<\/p>

Speakers:\u00a0Chen Shanquan\u00a0<\/strong>(Hong Kong) \u2013\u00a0Joseph Maria Haro Abbad\u00a0<\/strong>(Spain) \u2013\u00a0Chibanzi Mwachonda\u00a0<\/strong>(Kenya) \u2013\u00a0Antonio Egidio Nardi\u00a0<\/strong>(Brazil) \u2013\u00a0Corina Benjet\u00a0<\/strong>(Mexico)<\/p><\/td><\/tr>

13:30-15:00<\/strong><\/td>Lunch break\u2013 Poster Viewing <\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
15:00-17:00<\/strong><\/td>

Symposium 10: <\/strong>From child and adolescence to older age: new epidemiological findings across the lifecourse<\/strong><\/p>

This symposium will present new findings in epidemiological research examining mental health patterns and trajectories from adolescence through late life, highlighting critical developmental periods and age-specific vulnerabilities. Sessions will explore emerging findings on adolescent mental health trends, examine mental health challenges in aging populations, and discuss lifecourse approaches that illuminate how experiences across the lifecourse shape mental health outcomes across developmental stages.<\/em><\/p>

Chairperson:\u00a0Corina Benjet\u00a0<\/strong>(Mexico)<\/p>Speakers:\u00a0John Pamplin\u00a0<\/strong>(USA) \u2013\u00a0Viviane Kovess\u00a0<\/strong>(France) \u2013\u00a0Annelieke Roest\u00a0<\/strong>(The Netherlands) \u2013\u00a0Josh Barocas\u00a0<\/strong>(USA) \u2013\u00a0Ke Ning<\/strong>\u00a0(Singapore)<\/td><\/tr>

17:00-17:30<\/strong><\/td>WPA Section Membership Meeting<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
17:30-17:45<\/strong><\/td>Closing Reception<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Tuesday, September 29th, 2026 \u00a0 HALL CASTELLO 11:30-12:30 Registrations 12:30-12:40 Welcome & Introduction 12:40-12:50 Opening Remarks 12:50-13:00 Group Photo 13:00-15:00 Symposium 1: Quality of care and respect of rights of users In collaboration with the Mediterranean Society on Mental Health supported by the programme QR of the Sardinian Autonomous Region Chairpersons: Miguel Xavier (Portugal) \u2013 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_header_footer","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-753","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpaepi2026.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/753","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpaepi2026.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpaepi2026.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpaepi2026.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpaepi2026.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=753"}],"version-history":[{"count":46,"href":"https:\/\/wpaepi2026.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/753\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":909,"href":"https:\/\/wpaepi2026.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/753\/revisions\/909"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpaepi2026.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=753"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}