SEHA Successfully Concludes 14th World Association for Psychosocial Rehabilitation (WAPR) World Congress and 7th Abu Dhabi International Mental Health Conference | AFN News

The busiest and first WAPR congress in the Middle East, delegates from 42 countries attended, with 5,000 participants online and 780 in person

Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA), the largest healthcare network in the United Arab Emirates, successfully concluded the 14th World Congress of the World Association for Psychosocial Rehabilitation (WAPR) and the 7th Abu Dhabi International Conference Dhabi on mental health. The event was a first on many fronts – it was the first WAPR conference to be held in the Middle East, the first hybrid event in WAPR’s history and its most attended conference.

Held from December 9 to 11, 2021 under the theme “Mental health, rights, equity, recovery and social inclusion in the age of testing”, the conference featured 200 speakers, 21 poster presentations and brought together 5,000 people online and 780 in person, with delegates from 42 countries. It took place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center in the capital of the United Arab Emirates.

The conference achieved its goal of initiating a crucial discussion on the lasting toll of COVID-19 on mental health services and mental health patients. He also presented Abu Dhabi’s continuous efforts for the rehabilitation of people living with mental illnesses.

Dr Nahida Nayaz Ahmed, Consultant Psychiatrist and Chair of the SEHA Behavioral Health Council, said: “The conference was a huge success and would not have been possible without the continued support of the UAE government and Abu Dhabi Tourism. We would also like to thank Dr Medhat Elsabbahy Abdou Elsabbahy, consultant psychiatrist, member of the board of directors of WAPR and former vice-president of WAPR, without whom the event would not have been a resounding success. I am exceptionally pleased that this event served not only to challenge, inspire and encourage attendees and facilitate crucial discussions around mental health, but also showed SEHA’s continued support for patients with mental illness.

The poster sessions covered a wide range of mental health topics. The first place went to the Franco Basaglia Day Center team in Greece for a poster on “Psychological and vocational rehabilitation among EPAPSY members”. Second place went to Ameera Salem Bawazeer of the United Arab Emirates, Mouza Al marzouqi and Farah El Zein. The third place was a tie between the Indian team consisting of Harkishan Mamtani, Kartik Singhai, Sujai Ramachandraiah and their colleagues presenting on “Barriers to Vocational Rehabilitation in Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Case Series” and the Egyptian team – Dr Sahar Daoud, Dr Noha Aly and Dr Manal Elewah from Psychosocial Rehabilitation of Oncology Nurses at BAUH, for a poster on ‘Caring for those who care’.

The main sessions of the WAPR conference included Artificial Intelligence in Mental Health Care, Suicide and Self-Injury Prevention, Child and Adolescent Mental Health, Worker Wellness Strategies and Support. mental health.

The conference had a rich range of presentations with representation from three Presidents, present and past, of the World Psychiatric Association. Former WAPR Presidents and several Board members attended the Congress by participating and making presentations. Professor Michelle Funk represented the World Health Organization at the opening ceremony. In attendance were Prof. Murali Thyloth, President of the AMOA Congress and the President of AMOA; Dr Medhat Elsabbahy, president of the organizing committee and of the conference; Dr Ghanem Al Hassany, President of the Local Scientific Committee; and Dr Nahida Ahmed, member of the scientific committee and the organizing committee.

Dr Ghanem Ali Al Hassani, chairman of the local scientific committee and director of education and research of the SEHA group, said: “What was fantastic to see was the rich exposure offered by the conference. The kind of efforts that countries around the world are making to support and empower patients with mental illnesses are quite phenomenal. Everything from recent advances in psychosocial rehabilitation to human rights and citizenship for these patients was covered at the event. I am grateful to SEHA for having had the chance to organize such an impactful event in addition to providing networking opportunities for professionals. I firmly believe that the kind of discussions that were sparked at the event will improve the safety and quality of treatment and support provided to patients with mental illnesses. “

The conference has been accredited by the European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (EACCME®) for 24 European CME credits (ECMEC®). All participants present received electronic certificates at the end of the conference.