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International Mental Health confab in Colombo

by Bharatha Malawaraarachchi

For the first time in Sri Lanka, an international conference focusing Mental Health and Psychiatry will be held next week in Colombo.

The conference which will be held under the theme of " Community Care : Issues and Challenges "is being attended by several distinguished local and international psychiatrists.

"The conference will be an attempt to bring into focus major issues confronting mental health in Sri Lanka, Prof. Nalaka Mendis, Vice President of the National Council for Mental Health (Sahanaya) told the Daily News.

The conference will be held from April 4 to 7 at the Hotel Taj Samudra, Colombo.

Given the fact that mental health is the second cause of disability and premature mortality in the world, this conference will play a major role in improving the country's mental health - especially community health care, added Prof. Mendis.

Mental illness also accounts for over 15 per cent of the overall burden of all diseases from all causes. Reports reveal that mental disorders affect about 2.5 per cent out of every 1,000 people in Sri Lanka's population.

Prof. Mendis said more than 25 distinguished speakers from USA, UK, Switzerland, India, Canada, Norway, Malaysia, Australia, The Netherlands and Bangladesh have already confirmed their participation.

Among them are: Professors A. Sims, R. E. Kendell, R. Littlewood from the UK, Prof. Z. Taintor from USA, Prof. P Deva from Malaysia, Prof. M Weiss from Switzerland, Prof. A. Heiberg from Norway and Dr. B. Saraceno from the WHO, Geneva.

Around 100 overseas participants including a large number of Sri Lankan psychiatrists working overseas are expected to attend the conference.

Plenary lecture topics include Work Place Stress and Mental Health, Improvement of quality of life of mentally ill and the Differences between physical and mental health.

Several topics including " Culture and Mental Health, Community care, Child and elderly Mental health, suicide and psychological trauma.

Besides, several workshops on selected themes such as " Public Mental Health in Post Conflict Areas, Role of the Family in the care of Mentally ill, Cognitive behaviour therapy will also be held.

The conference also coincides with the 20th anniversary of the Sahanaya.

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