Mental health. A word that is highly neglected by Indian society. In India, experiencing mental health issues is seen with suspicion, and individuals suffering from mental illnesses face stigma. Mental problems are frequently thought to be the result of a lack of discipline and determination. Mental health stigma, as well as an absence of availability, affordability, and knowledge, contribute to major disparities in treatment.
The World Psychiatric Association is holding the Regional Congress for the first time in Kolkata. This mega academic event is being held for 4 days at the ITC Royal Bengal, Kolkata. Dr Gautam Saha, President of SAARC Psychiatric Federation & Organizing Chairperson of this Congress & Dr. G. Prasad Rao Chairperson Scientific Committee welcomed all delegates and mentioned that there are more than 1000 delegates attending over 3 days from 14th-16th April 2023 with additional pre congress workshops on 13th April 2023.
The President of World Psychiatric Association, Prof Afzal Javed is personally attending the Conference in Kolkata. The theme of the conference Building Awareness, Building Treatment Gap highlights the importance of bringing together the psychiatrists and other mental health professionals, providing a forum where the voice of patients or highly traumatized fellow human beings and their families will be heard. This theme has been chosen, keeping in mind the enormous treatment gap of 85% in mental health service provisions. There is fundamental three main reasons for this worrying gap, of which stigma comes first, a low ratio of doctor to patient. Unfortunately, we have only 1:10000 psychiatrists and we aim to reach the target of 1: 2000 psychiatrists by bridging this gap. The Scientific Committee has arranged 225 hours of academic programme, with nearly 110 workshops, 86 symposiums, 120 free papers, 48 posters, 11 pre congress workshops.
This is one of the rare occasions of a conference organised by World Psychiatric Association which is being attended by 4 Presidents of WPA, present and past. More than 10 different Psychiatric Association of different countries are being represented by their Presidents. We are organising a metal health awareness walk from Mohor Kunj tomorrow and we are grateful to the media for being an active partner in this journey. We have more than 1000 delegates from 26 different countries and 5 continents to attend this World Congress in Kolkata. Colleagues from all the SAARC countries have actively collaborated to plan this event which includes a special session for NGOs, Carers, undergraduate students, and senior judge to discuss all interfaces of mental health. This is the opportunity to become the advocate for patients with mental health illness and we thank you for highlighting and sensitizing the general population on the mental health issues.
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