PGI To Host Conference on Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

By 1 2 1 News Reporter

Chandigarh 24^th  September:--- The Department of Psychiatry, PGIMER, Chandigarh, with its commitment towards medical education and research in psychiatry, is hosting the 7th Congress of Asian Society for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry & Allied Professions and 12th Biennial Conference of Indian Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health in New Delhi at Hotel Ashoka from 25-28 September, 2013. The theme of the congress is "Bridging the Gap in Child Mental Health: Opportunities and Innovations" and intellectuals in the field of child psychiatry from all over the world will be coming together for a noble purpose. The conference will see an interaction and intercourse in every aspect of mind and mental health focusing on the most crucial phase of human life- childhood. With nearly one-third of Indian population being less than 14 years of age and the rate of psychiatric disorders in children ranging between 10-20%, it is high time this area receives due focus. The magnitude of mental health problems in children and adolescents has not been recognized sufficiently by many governments and decision-makers. As such, the organisation of this conference is aptly timed. It is a multidisciplinary international symposium which will strive to explore latest information regarding child as well as adolescent mental health. This platform will develop a proper collaboration by uniting together child and adolescent mental health professionals to share views, opinion and challenges for better result oriented outcomes.

The Asian Society of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Allied Professions (ASCAPAP) was established in 1996 and comprises of 14 member countries in Asia. The ASCAPAP works for development in the field of child and adolescent psychiatry by helping in setting up training programs, and organising regular academic forums. The Indian Association for Child and Adolescent Mental Health (IACAM) has been doing great services in the field of child and adolescent psychiatry since the year 1990, when it was formed. The main objectives of IACAM are to promote the study, treatment, care and prevention of mental and emotional disorders and to promote national and international collaboration among professionals in the fields related to child and adolescent mental health. The members of IACAM include Psychiatrists, Clinical Psychologists, Psychiatric social workers, Paediatricians, Speech pathologists etc. IACAM holds a biennial annual conference and has a journal dedicated to publication of child mental health research (JIACAM). IACAM is affiliated to International Association for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Allied Professions (IACAPAP) and the ASCAPAP as a full member.

The scientific program of the conference includes Courses, Plenary Lectures, State-of-the-art Lectures, Invited Symposia and Invited Workshops. The organisers of this conference have selected a comprehensive and innovative list of topics including psycho-social perspectives, learning disabilities, autism, issues of sexuality in children and adolescents, legal issues in child mental health, youth violence, sexual abuse, suicides in children and parent training and counselling in child and adolescent psychiatry disorders.