IConS Symposium
Register hereTitle : Community responses to persons with Psychoses
Symposium 1
Chair : Victoria Bird, UK
Dr. Victoria Bird is a Professor of Mental Health Care at the Centre of Psychiatry and Mental Health. She leads the Unit for Social and Community Psychiatry and serves as the deputy lead for the Centre. Additionally, she is a member of the Senate. Dr. Bird has a background in psychology and health services research. She leads several national and international research programs focused on improving community approaches to mental healthcare, funded by organizations such as the NIHR, MRC, Wellcome Trust, and ESRC. Her current work emphasizes strengthening community resources, including the use of art-based and community engagement methods in Latin America, South Asia, and Uganda. Dr. Bird is an expert panel member for various funding organizations, including the EU Horizon Europe program and the Norwegian Research Council. She collaborates closely with clinical services in East London and beyond to develop resource-oriented interventions aimed at enhancing the quality of life for individuals with mental illness. Her primary research interest is utilizing community resources to improve the quality of life for people experiencing mental health distress. This includes working with adolescents and young people, focusing on arts-based methods, and developing and evaluating evidence-based interventions within mental health services for adults with severe mental illness (SMI).
Speaker 1
Dr. Mohan K. Isaac MD, DPM, FRCPsych, FRANZCP, MBBS is a Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Western Australia. He holds prestigious fellowships from the Royal College of Psychiatrists and the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists. He specializes in Psychiatry. He completed his Doctor of Medicine at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences and Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery at the Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute. His Clinical Interests are Community Health, Psychopathology, Psychopharmacology, Psychotherapeutic Processes, Public Health, Psychiatry, E-Learning for Epidemiology, Statistics, Somatoform Disorders, and Mental Illness. His expertise and dedication have earned him a prominent place in the global psychiatric community.
Title: Ending mental health related stigma and discrimination: the unfinished business
Persons with mental illnesses all over the world have been stigmatized from time immemorial. For many persons with mental illnesses the stigma, prejudice, and discrimination they experience is worse than the illness. Mental health related stigma and discrimination continue to be ubiquitous, pervasive, and universal. The national mental health policies of most countries these days highlight the need for appropriate strategies to deal with mental health related stigma and discrimination. Based on the presenter’s experience of working in India and Australia, an update and critical review of current community responses to the serious mentally ill, the consequences of these responses and the initiatives undertaken at all levels to reduce mental health related stigma and discrimination in India and Australia will be presented.
Speaker 2
Dr Amresh Srivastava is a Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry at the Western University and a Scientist of Mental health at Lawson Health Research Institute, located in London, Ontario, Canada. Born in Northern India he is currently based in Canada and works in the field of mental health education. Trained from the K.E.M Hospital, Dr Srivastava received his postgraduate degrees and worked at the University of Mumbai. He worked in Mumbai, London UK, and Canada. He holds a Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (Academic accreditation) FRCPC and a Fellowship of the Royal College of Psychiatry, UK, FRCPsych. He is also a fellow of the American Psychiatric Association (FAPA). His areas of focus include Suicide prevention, early intervention, and complex mental disorders. He has served as an editor, reviewer, and member of the editorial board of psychiatric journals and published original research reviews, book chapters, and academic and non-fiction academic books. Most notable amongst these is the publication of a reference book series on suicide-Suicide from a Global perspective, schizophrenia treatment outcome, and Handbook on Optimizing Patient Care in Psychiatry, Mind Matters, - is collection stories of psychiatric patients. Non-fiction academic books for people include a series of ten books for student mental health: science of success, Handle life with care, Depression: Facts you must know, Parents-let’s talk, Empowering Minds, Assessments in mental health, Mind sciences, Sacred Resonance-Gayatri Mantra, The Right move _ Career decisions.
Title: What will change communities’ response to stigma related to persons suffering from schizophrenia, Legislative measures and enforcement or social contentiousness?
The stigma associated with schizophrenia causes significant emotional suffering and loss of dignity globally, though responses to stigma differ between Eastern and Western societies. Misunderstanding and cultural beliefs about mental illness, such as supernatural causes or personal weakness, often lead to stigmatization. Emotional suffering includes shame, guilt, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, loneliness, and social exclusion. Loss of dignity is profound, manifesting as dehumanization, rights violations, economic disadvantage, and social exclusion.
Eastern cultures often involve family care, which can provide support but also increase stigma within the family. Traditional beliefs may perpetuate stigma but offer avenues for community-based support. Western cultures emphasize individualism, leading individuals with schizophrenia to face stigma more independently, though they benefit from more established mental health infrastructure and public awareness campaigns. Effective mental health legislation, public awareness campaigns, and support systems are essential in addressing stigma and upholding the dignity of individuals with schizophrenia.
The United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) emphasize health, well-being, gender equality, and reduced inequalities. Achieving these goals requires addressing mental illness stigma. Legal frameworks protecting individuals with mental health disorders promote social inclusion and overall well-being. Building social awareness through media campaigns, educational programs, and community events is crucial for challenging stereotypes and promoting acceptance. Society’s social conscientiousness will ultimately determine the quality of life for individuals with schizophrenia.
Speaker 3
Dr. Lakshmi Venkatraman, MD, MRCPsych, is the Assistant Director (Psychosocial Rehabilitation) & Consultant Psychiatrist at the Schizophrenia Research Foundation (SCARF) in Chennai, India. With 21 years of experience in psychiatry, she has worked both in India and the UK, including as a Consultant Psychiatrist in the UK. Dr. Venkatraman is a member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, UK, and holds a CCT in General Adult Psychiatry. She is also a Life Ordinary Member of the Indian Psychiatric Society and has published research in the fields of eating disorders and psychosocial rehabilitation. Dr. Venkatraman is fluent in Tamil and English and is registered with the Tamil Nadu Medical Council.
Title : First Episode Psychosis: An Indian Perspective
Symposium 2
Chair : Swapna Verma
Dr. Swapna completed her residency training in Psychiatry at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, USA and is a board-certified psychiatrist.She started her academic career with the Singapore Early Psychosis Intervention Programme (EPIP) in 2001 when EPIP was first established and thus has been closely involved in the development and establishment of its clinical, research and training initiatives. EPIP has won prestigious awards including the WHO award for research in health promotion in 2004 as well as the inaugural National Medical Excellence Team award in 2008. Later, she became the Chief of Department of Psychosis looking at developing innovative care models for Schizophrenia and driving research in the field of Psychotic Disorders, as well as the East Region and led an inter-disciplinary team in providing patient-centred, integrated care to patients in the East region of Singapore. She is the Programme Director of CHAT, a national youth mental health initiative which was won the National Medical Excellence Team award in 2023. Since December 2020, she has been appointed as the Chairman Medical Board of IMH. She has published in peer-reviewed journals and presented her findings in local and international conferences. She is also a National Examiner for the Singapore Board Exams in Psychiatry. She is the recipient of the Duke-NUS Outstanding Educator award in 2009, the NHG Outstanding Leader in Education award in 2012 and the IMH Clinical Mentorship award in 2016.
Speaker 1
Dr. Avinash Desousa is a consultant psychiatrist and psychotherapist with a private practice in Mumbai. He has over 300 publications in national and international journals. He is one of the few psychiatrists who in addition to a psychiatry degree has an MBA in Human Resource Development, a Masters in Psychotherapy and Counseling and an MPhil in Psychology. He is also the editor of a journal called Indian Journal of Mental Health. Dr. Desousa is a Consultant in the Psychiatry department at Sir H. N. Reliance Foundation Hospital and Research Centre. After completion of MBBS from Lokmanya Tilak Medical College & LTMG hospital, Mumbai (2002), Dr. Avinash Desousa pursed a Masters in Counselling and Psychotherapy. He completed his DPM from Seth GS Medical College and KEM hospital, Mumbai and Ph.D. (Psy.D) from University of Hertfordshire-UK. Dr. Desousa has been conferred with many honours and awards including Jewel of India by the Indian solidarity council for contributions in the field of mental health and Psychotherapy and Great minds of 21st century by American Biographical institute for contributions in psychotherapy and psychiatry.
Speaker 2
Greeshma Mohan is a Senior Coordinator at the Schizophrenia Research Foundation (SCARF) in Chennai, India. With a focus on mental health and a commitment to advancing the understanding of first episode psychosis, Greeshma is actively involved in various projects aimed at improving treatment outcomes and quality of life for individuals with first episode psychosis. Greeshma has recently completed her Ph.D in Service Engagement in First Episode Psychosis at the University of Warwick under the guidance of Prof Swaran Singh and Prof Max Birchwood.
Speaker 3
Dr. Suhas Ganesh is a clinician-scientist at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences in Bengaluru, India. His career goal is to develop explanatory models and elucidate mechanistic insights into the relationships between genetic risk, environmental exposures, and severe mental illnesses. He completed his MD in Psychiatry from the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru, and obtained additional research training as a Post-Doctoral Associate at Yale University School of Medicine, United States. Dr. Suhas was awarded the prestigious NARSAD Young Investigator Award by the Brain and Behaviour Research Foundation, US, to undertake work on the epigenetic effects of cannabis exposure. Recently, Dr. Suhas was awarded the MQ: Transforming Mental Health through Research Fellowship for a study titled "Genetic and environmental determinants of treatment emergent metabolic abnormalities in schizophrenia." This longitudinal study in the first episode of schizophrenia aims to recruit 1,500 treatment-naive patients and prospectively characterize treatment emergent metabolic outcomes in India. The study will examine the utility of trans-ancestry polygenic risk scores for metabolic traits, lifestyle, and environmental factors in predicting treatment emergent metabolic outcomes.
Title: First Episode Psychosis – An Indian Perspective
The World Psychiatric Association emphasizes early intervention for psychosis globally, focusing on low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Over the past two decades, interest in research on first-episode psychosis in India is growing, providing valuable insights for clinicians. This symposium highlights recent developments in this field in India
Dr. Avinash Desouza, having more than 20 years of clinical experience will highlight the critical need for health care professionals to look at patients with FEP differently. He will discuss data collected from three major metro cities, specifically about the nature of early psychosis presentation in India, its clinical implications and pharmacological management.
Greeshma Mohan will share SCARF’s experience in running the FEP program and highlight how findings from research collaborations with PEPP Montreal, Canada and University of Warwick, UK have been integrated to improve services, the main outcome indicators and challenges associated with implementing the services. Dr.Suhas Ganesh will review existing literature on metabolic outcomes in FEP and will further systematically examine the literature for the utility of employing clinical and genetic predictors for accurate prediction of metabolic outcomes in FEP. Lastly, he will explore the recent advances in our understanding of genetic architectures of metabolic traits and psychosis from genome wide studies. These will be presented in the context of preliminary findings from an ongoing multi-centre longitudinal study on PGS, dietary and lifestyle factors in predicting treatment-emergent metabolic outcomes in FEP.
Title : Youth Mental Health in Singapore
Symposium 3
Chair : Swaran Preet Singh
Professor Swaran Singh (MBBS, MD, DM, FRCPsych) started training as a surgeon in New Delhi, changing to psychiatry after witnessing the impact of 1984 killings on Sikh children. He has been a clinical academic in UK for thirty years, pioneering reform of youth mental health care across UK, Europe, Australia and Canada. He was a Commissioner for Equality & Human Rights Commission (2013-19), mandated by the UK Parliament. He has published over 360 papers on early psychosis, youth mental health, mental health legislation, transcultural psychiatry, and transitional care. His current research involves improving mental health care for young people in the Indian subcontinent and sub-Saharan Africa. He led the Independent Investigation into discrimination (including Islamophobia) within the British Conservative Party (https://singhinvestigation.co.uk). His eternal struggle is between being focussed and productive and wasting time on idle speculation and meaningless meandering. When he can, he enjoys literature, poetry, theatre, photography, music, cricket, cooking, gardening, and fishing. One day he will write a book on the meaning of life and create the perfect Sushi platter.
Speaker 1
Dr. Swapna completed her residency training in Psychiatry at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, USA and is a board-certified psychiatrist.She started her academic career with the Singapore Early Psychosis Intervention Programme (EPIP) in 2001 when EPIP was first established and thus has been closely involved in the development and establishment of its clinical, research and training initiatives. EPIP has won prestigious awards including the WHO award for research in health promotion in 2004 as well as the inaugural National Medical Excellence Team award in 2008. Later, she became the Chief of Department of Psychosis looking at developing innovative care models for Schizophrenia and driving research in the field of Psychotic Disorders, as well as the East Region and led an inter-disciplinary team in providing patient-centred, integrated care to patients in the East region of Singapore. She is the Programme Director of CHAT, a national youth mental health initiative which was won the National Medical Excellence Team award in 2023. Since December 2020, she has been appointed as the Chairman Medical Board of IMH. She has published in peer-reviewed journals and presented her findings in local and international conferences. She is also a National Examiner for the Singapore Board Exams in Psychiatry. She is the recipient of the Duke-NUS Outstanding Educator award in 2009, the NHG Outstanding Leader in Education award in 2012 and the IMH Clinical Mentorship award in 2016.
Speaker 2
Dr. Janhavi Ajit Vaingankar is the Director of the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) in Singapore. With a distinguished career in mental health, Dr. Vaingankar brings extensive expertise in clinical practice, research, and leadership. She has a strong background in developing innovative mental health programs and policies, aimed at improving the well-being of individuals and communities. Under her leadership, IMH continues to advance in providing comprehensive mental health care, fostering research, and promoting mental health awareness and education. Dr. Vaingankar is committed to transforming mental health services and ensuring access to high-quality care for all. Her research interests are psychiatric epidemiology, positive mental health and well-being, adverse caregiver outcomes and mental health services and outcomes research. She has led several studies and papers in these areas, with particular focus on the development of person-reported outcome measures, positive mental health, and caregiver outcomes.
Speaker 3
Ms Lee Yi Ping is a Principal Case Manager and Programme Lead of CHAT, Centre of Excellence for Youth Mental Health in Singapore. She has a BPsy (Hons) and an Advanced Certificate in Training and Assessment (ACTA). Yi Ping is also a Master Solution-Focused Practitioner certified by the International Alliance of Solution-Focused Teaching Institutes (IASTI) and a Professional Certified Coach with the International Coach Federation (ICF). Yi Ping is an experienced youth mental healthcare professional with 18 years of clinical experience, supporting the recovery of individuals aged between 16 and 30 years and their families, whose lives have been interrupted by psychosis, mood and anxiety disorders. She is also actively involved in capability building efforts, training young people, caregivers, educators, counsellors, and social service professionals in the area of youth mental health. Yi Ping enjoys working with the other CHAT team members to seek innovative ways to engage young people in distress for early help-seeking behaviour for their mental health concerns. A recipient of the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) Sayang Award in 2018, National Healthcare Group (NHG) Teaching Award for Inter-professionals in 2019 and National Healthcare Group (NHG) Young Achiever’s Award in 2022, Yi Ping’s outstanding performance as a youth mental health professional and passion in capability building as a trainer, facilitator and supervisor is well recognized within the local youth mental health landscape. A well-sought-after speaker, Yi Ping has represented CHAT to offer professional opinion on youth mental health in various media platforms. She has also contributed to three CHAT research publications and a book chapter in Solution Focused Practice in Asia.
Title: Singapore Youth Mental Health Study
Many studies have shown that the onset of mental health conditions is highest among young people in their mid-teens to mid-20s. Unfortunately, most youths do not access or receive adequate and timely care that can enable them and their families to make educated and informed decisions about their mental health. Such barriers to mental healthcare access can have their roots in socio-cultural and systemic factors ranging from mental health stigma to unmet service needs specific to youths
In Singapore, we embarked on a National Youth Mental Health Study (NYMHS) with the main aims of (i) establish the prevalence of depression and anxiety among the youth of Singapore with a specific focus on working youths, those youth undergoing transition (i.e., secondary school to institutes of higher learning), those Not in Education, Employment, or Training (NEET), (ii) identify the psychosocial risk and protective factors for depression and anxiety among youths, and (iii) look at use of mental health services, level of unmet needs, and costs (financial, social & personal) associated with mental illness. We surveyed 2,600 persons between the ages 15 – 35 years old. This was a cross-sectional epidemiological study where household level sampling using randomly generated postal code and street intercept were employed to approach hard to reach groups. Additionally, we also conducted focus group discussions and in-depth interviews with 120 youths to understand the barriers to mental healthcare access and learn from their suggestions to mitigate these challenges.
The 3 presenters will share quantitative and qualitative findings from the study, as well as provide qualitative insights on the perspectives and experience of users who accessed webchat, an anonymous, synchronous chat- based platform for youths to access timely help for mental health related concerns.
Title : INTREPID 3
Symposium 4
Chair : Alex Cohen, UK
Dr. Alex Cohen is an Honorary Associate Professor in the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM). He led the effort to establish the MSc in Global Mental Health, a joint programme of LSHTM and the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience in King’s College London, and was one of the founders of the INTREPID research project.
Speaker 1
Dr. Casswina Donald is a faculty member at the School of Medicine, University of the West Indies, St Augustine Campus in Trinidad and Tobago. She is actively involved in the INTREPID program, which focuses on global mental health research, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Her work contributes significantly to the academic and research landscape in medicine, with a special emphasis on mental health.
Speaker 2
Dr. Olatunde O Ayinde, MBBS; MS; FWACP was born on February 4, 1976, in Igbo-Ora, Ibarapa Central Local Government. He had his primary school education at Roman Catholic Mission School, Pako, Igbo-Ora, between 1983 and 1989, and secondary school education at Bishop Onabanjo High School between 1990 and 1995. His obtained his basic medical degree at the University of Ibadan College of Medicine in 2005. Dr Ayinde holds a Master of Science degree in international health policy and management from the Heller School for Social Policy, Brandeis University, Waltham, USA (2014). He completed his residency training programme in Psychiatry in 2015 at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, thereby earning a Fellowship of the West African College of Physician, the highest qualification for practicing psychiatry in the West African sub-region. Dr Ayinde joined the faculty at the department of psychiatry, University of Ibadan in 2020. He is the recipient of several undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships, including the NNPC/Chevron scholarship, Federal Government Scholarship and the Joint Japan/World Bank Scholarship. He was the winner of the annual British Medical Journal Global Health Grant in 2022. Dr Ayinde has published over 40 journal articles and book chapters. He currently serves as the residency training coordinator in the Department of Psychiatry, University College Hospital, Ibadan.
Title : Collaborative shared care delivered by traditional/faith healers to improve the outcome of psychosis in Nigeria: from uninformed skepticism and mistrust to policy
Speaker 3
Dr. R. Padmavati currently serves as the Director of the Schizophrenia Research Foundation (SCARF) in India. She completed her postgraduate degree in Psychiatry at the University of Bombay and has been with SCARF for over 28 years. Dr. Padmavati has conducted extensive research in various areas, including epidemiological studies, drug trials, untreated schizophrenia, culture and psychoses, and metabolic disorders in mental illness. She has played a significant role in SCARF's community mental health programs and the telepsychiatry project, with a particular interest in the socio-cultural aspects of mental illnesses and psychosocial rehabilitation. Dr. Padmavati is a prolific author and a reviewer for numerous national and international psychiatric journals. She also teaches and guides postgraduate students in Psychiatry. In recognition of her contributions, she received an honorary Doctor of Letters (DLitt) degree from Queen Mary University of London.
Title: INTREPID 3
Our knowledge and understanding of psychosis have been primarily derived from research conducted in Western Europe, North America, and Australasia, while comparatively little research has been conducted in more diverse settings, e.g., Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Oceania. The INTREPID II was a five-year programme of research incorporating incidence, case–control and cohort studies of untreated psychoses in the Kancheepuram District, India, three local government areas in Ibadan, Nigeria, and seven municipalities in northern Trinidad. Out primary aim was to explore variation in the manifestation and risk factors for psychosis within and across the sites. The presentations will be: An Introduction to INTREPID (Prof Alex Cohen) Symptom Dimensions of Untreated Psychosis in the Global South: Findings from INTREPID II (Ms Casswina Donald); Cognitive Functioning in Persons with Incident Untreated Psychosis in Diverse Settings (Dr Olatunde Ayinde); Qualitative Insights on Responses to Psychosis in India, Nigeria and Trinidad (Dr R. Padmavati); and Reflections on the Lived Experience of Persons with Psychosis (Mr Ganesh Rajan).
Speaker 4
Ganesh Rajan was diagnosed with schizophrenia in his late teens, circa 1980. He has been on medication for the past 45 years. Despite his diagnosis, he has acquired an Engineering undergraduate degree, an MBA, and a Master’s in Economics from Wright State University, USA. Ganesh had a successful stint as a Management Consultant in India, USA, and Japan. Now retired from corporate engagement, he serves as a mental health volunteer. Ganesh has authored two books, Being Here Now [First published as I, Me and Us – Westland] and God Flipped Me Off [Notion Press]. He participated as a speaker and panelist at the Early Psychosis Intervention Conference (IEPA 14) in Lausanne, Switzerland. Ganesh was also part of the recent WHO convention to develop a Charter for influencing policies on mental health in Southeast Asia. He is on the Lived Experience Advisory Board (LEAB) of SCARF, India, and the INTREPID III Project.
Title: INTREPID 3
Our knowledge and understanding of psychosis have been primarily derived from research conducted in Western Europe, North America, and Australasia, while comparatively little research has been conducted in more diverse settings, e.g., Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Oceania. The INTREPID II was a five-year programme of research incorporating incidence, case–control and cohort studies of untreated psychoses in the Kancheepuram District, India, three local government areas in Ibadan, Nigeria, and seven municipalities in northern Trinidad. Out primary aim was to explore variation in the manifestation and risk factors for psychosis within and across the sites. The presentations will be: An Introduction to INTREPID (Prof Alex Cohen) Symptom Dimensions of Untreated Psychosis in the Global South: Findings from INTREPID II (Ms Casswina Donald); Cognitive Functioning in Persons with Incident Untreated Psychosis in Diverse Settings (Dr Olatunde Ayinde); Qualitative Insights on Responses to Psychosis in India, Nigeria and Trinidad (Dr R. Padmavati); and Reflections on the Lived Experience of Persons with Psychosis (Mr Ganesh Rajan).
Title : Psychosocial Rehabilitation across Settings
Symposium 5
Chair: P P Kannan
Speaker 1
Dr. Victoria Bird is a Professor of Mental Health Care at the Centre of Psychiatry and Mental Health. She leads the Unit for Social and Community Psychiatry and serves as the deputy lead for the Centre. Additionally, she is a member of the Senate.
Dr. Bird has a background in psychology and health services research. She leads several national and international research programs focused on improving community approaches to mental healthcare, funded by organizations such as the NIHR, MRC, Wellcome Trust, and ESRC.Her current work emphasizes strengthening community resources, including the use of art-based and community engagement methods in Latin America, South Asia, and Uganda.
Dr. Bird is an expert panel member for various funding organizations, including the EU Horizon Europe program and the Norwegian Research Council. She collaborates closely with clinical services in East London and beyond to develop resource-oriented interventions aimed at enhancing the quality of life for individuals with mental illness. Her primary research interest is utilizing community resources to improve the quality of life for people experiencing mental health distress. This includes working with adolescents and young people, focusing on arts-based methods, and developing and evaluating evidence-based interventions within mental health services for adults with severe mental illness (SMI).
Title: Resource-orientation within mental health care – a global perspective
Medical treatment worldwide often prioritises a deficit or problems-based approach. Globally, consultations have focused on the signs, symptoms and difficulties faced by the person, with attention given to what the patient cannot do. In contrast, there is a tradition of resource-orientated approaches to mental healthcare, which unlike medical approaches, are independent of diagnostic categories. Instead, these approaches aim to identify and utilise the resources available to the person, focusing on what they CAN do and their individual strengths. The resources available to the person exist on a number of levels, including their individual strengths, within their social relations with family, peers and mental health services, and more widely within their community. Throughout the talk, evidence for the impact of resource-orientated approaches will be discussed, with a particular focus on improving quality of life for people with severe mental illness. Three examples will be focused on: DIALOG+ a resource-orientated approach to improving the therapeutic nature of mental health consultations, social contacts coach to improve social connectedness and Community-based arts organisations which utilise local cultural practices to promote health. The examples selected will highlight the diversity in resource-orientated approaches and how low-cost resource-orientated interventions may help address many of the implementation challenges to providing high quality and effective mental health care within resource-constrained settings.
Speaker 2
Dr. Aarti Jagannathan has completed her Masters in Psychiatric Social Work from Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai, and her M.Phil and Ph.D. in Psychiatric Social Work from NIMHANS, Bangalore. She is currently working as an Additional Professor of Psychiatric Social Work/ Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services at National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS). Her areas of interest include Rehabilitation of patients with psychiatric disorders (especially schizophrenia), Human rights of mentally ill, Yoga for mental health, Dance, art and spirituality, caregiver interventions, and Psycho-oncology. She has clinical experience of psychotherapy, rehabilitation and counselling of more than 2500 psychiatric inpatients and outpatients at National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences, Bangalore (NIMHANS; 2003-2011). She has published more than 75 publications to her credit in National, International journals and books. Has co-ordinated Merck (MSD), CCRYN, FOGARTY, TISS funded Research projects in schizophrenia, dementia, play therapy and yoga. She helms multiple research projects in the area of Yoga, Rehabilitation, etc funded by ICMR, NIMHANS, and the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. She has attended multiple National and International conferences for the presentation of paper and won awards. She is also a recipient of the 5th National Women’s Excellence Award 2012: Nav Kiran (Young women Achiever) by the Government of India (GOI) and Women’s International Network (WIN).
Title: Institute Based Psycho-Social Rehabilitation models for Mental Health Recovery: Lens from Psychiatric Social Work
The goals of psychosocial rehabilitation are to help persons with mental health disabilities to develop skills to live, learn and earn in the community, to help foster inclusivity and facilitate independence. According to the World Health Organization, it implies both improving individuals’ competency and inducing relevant environment change. Some of the models implemented by psychiatric social workers have found success at NIMHANS in fostering an inclusive environment for Persons with Mental Health Disabilities are as below:
- Supported Education Model: Clients are helped to improve their study skills, motivation; work with their family is focused on improving their support and work with the college is centred around re-enrolling them and to provide reasonable accommodation.
- Supported Employment Model: The programme at NIMHANS involves (a) assessment of his vocational potential, (b) vocational counselling, (c) networking and liaison with prospective employers, (d) job-related training and placement and (e) continued support for 6 months.
- Community Reintegration Model: A social care model and rehabilitation plan for women with mental illness under long term admission in tertiary care hospital included educating the women about their rights awareness and reintegrating them with their family.
- Social Welfare Model: Facilitation of Unique Disability Identity Card and subsequently disability pension and other welfare benefits provided by the government.
- Family centric Rehabilitation model: This model helps address the medical, vocational and economic domains impacted by mental illness in the family. Instead of preparing an individually tailored rehabilitation plan, a plan prepared considering the whole family as a unit, can make significant difference to the successful outcome of the rehabilitation of the family.
- Therapeutic (Art-based) Model: Art-based programs, provide individuals with a creative outlet to express themselves. These initiatives focus not only on clinical recovery but also on the emotional and social aspects of healing.
Speaker 3
Jainey Joseph is a dedicated psychiatric social worker with a passion for psychosocial rehabilitation and over 15 years of experience in mental health. Currently serving as the Psychosocial Rehabilitation Coordinator at the Schizophrenia Research Foundation (SCARF), she supports patients and families in achieving autonomy and community integration. Beyond her role, Jainey actively engages with stakeholders in the rehabilitation field and is passionate about educating individuals to provide psychosocial rehabilitation. She conducts workshops and awareness programs and delivers lectures to students and professionals. Her expertise includes Psychosocial Rehabilitation, Mental Illness Insurance, First Episode Psychosis, Family-Centered Intervention, and youth mental health. Jainey's commitment to mental health is evident through her research, presentations, and awards recognizing her contributions. She is dedicated to empowering individuals and making a positive impact in the field of psychosocial rehabilitation.
Title: Empowering Journey: Engaging Recovery-Oriented Services Towards Wellness
The presentation sheds light on SCARF's innovative psychosocial interventions, which seamlessly blend research and clinical practice. SCARF's rehabilitation framework places a strong emphasis on autonomy, offering tailored interventions that cater to the individual needs of each person. From caregiver education groups where emotional support and coping strategies are shared to the Compensatory Cognitive Training targeting memory and attention deficits, SCARF's programs are designed to enhance independence and overall well-being. Online Fitness Groups provide avenues for promoting wellness and fostering engagement, recognizing the importance of physical health in the recovery journey. Recovery-Focused Initiatives empower individuals through goal-setting sessions, while Skills Training enriches practical abilities such as vocational skills and social development. SCARF's Vocational Exchange ensures individuals are connected with job opportunities and advocates for inclusive hiring practices, promoting economic independence and social inclusion. Peer Support initiatives create a sense of community and mutual encouragement among individuals with similar experiences, providing invaluable emotional support along the way. Together, these comprehensive programs work synergistically to enhance individuals' well-being and autonomy, fostering holistic recovery and empowering individuals to lead fulfilling lives.
Title : Mental Health Interventions for Youth
Symposium 6
Chair : Tasneem Raja, India
Dr. Tasneem’s over 28 years of experience spans a wide array of mental health issues involving social change and human development. She has led large on-the-ground programs across India, working extensively with leading philanthropies. Working with both government and non-government stakeholders, Tasneem helped develop strategic frameworks across a wide range of mental health issues. For instance, as Lead for Mental Health at Tata Trusts, she helped develop, implement and scale innovative holistic mental health programs in Maharashtra’s Nagpur district. Earlier in her career Tasneem was a clinician providing direct service in addiction & HIV/AIDS. Tasneem has a PhD in health sciences from the Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick.
Speaker 1
Shruti Rao is a Psychologist at the First Episode Psychosis Program at the Schizophrenia Research Foundation (SCARF). With a Master's in Health Research from Lancaster University, UK, Master's in Early Intervention in Psychosis from King's College London, UK and a M.Phil in Counselling Psychology from the University of Madras. Shruti has focused her career on mental health, particularly Early Intervention and First Episode Psychosis, with experience of 9 years in research, teaching, and clinical practice.
Title: Working with young people as peers in offering an early response to emotional ill health- SCARF’s experience in Chennai’s colleges
As part of a program with youth in colleges supported by the Indra Foundation, we initiated a peer support programme. Drawing upon qualitative data collected through interviews, focus groups, and observational studies, this research sheds light on the effectiveness and challenges of employing peers in promoting emotional well-being in among the students. We found that integrating peers into mental health support systems fosters trust and comfort among young individuals, encouraging them to seek assistance at the onset of emotional distress. Peers, possessing relatability and understanding of shared experiences, serve as accessible and non-judgmental sources of support, facilitating open discussions about mental health issues. Moreover, the peer-led approach promoted a sense of community and solidarity, reducing stigma and fostering a culture of empathy. However, we also identified many challenges, including the need for comprehensive training and supervision of peer supporters, ensuring confidentiality and boundaries, and addressing potential biases or limitations in peer support networks. Furthermore, cultural factors, administrative hurdles, and societal perceptions around mental health present additional barriers that must be navigated effectively. In conclusion, this talk underscores the potential of peer-based interventions in early responses to emotional ill health among young adults in college settings. It advocates for the integration of peer support programs into mental health initiatives, offering valuable insights for organizations and policymakers seeking to enhance mental health services for youth populations.
Speaker 2
Mr. Jagdish Giri is Lead-Programs at People’s Action for National Integration-PANI. He also heads the Women & Adolescent Girls Empowerment and Community Healthcare thematic verticals at PANI. He has been passionately working in development sector from last 24 years. His mission is to empower the poor and marginalized people to improve their living conditions and life situations in the underdeveloped regions of Uttar Pradesh and other regions of India. His core competencies are project life cycle management, resource mobilization/fundraising, partnership management and organizational development. He is having vast and progressive experience of developing, implementing, and managing many community-based projects on issues of women & adolescent girls’ empowerment, integrated community development, community primary healthcare and livelihood development.
Title: Implementing a community based youth mental health program in rural Uttar Pradesh and the lessons and insights thereof.
People’s Action for National Integration (PANI)is a social development organization and has worked with communities in the most impoverished parts of Uttar Pradesh for 38 years. PANI has been implementing a large program on the empowerment of adolescent girls in several districts of Eastern Uttar Pradesh. This program addresses some of the core social determinants such as reducing vulnerability from poor health and nutrition, ensuring education, building aspiration and channeling aspiration through appropriate skill development and commensurate career opportunities.
Along with, this program also addresses important issues of gendered social norms/ beliefs and traditions that determine the status of girls and women in a patriarchal societal framework, early marriages and domestic violence. This close connect with young people at the grassroots gave PANI a front row seat to the distress and lack of wellbeing that youth experience. PANI partnered with Indira Foundation to address this distress though a well-structured youth mental health and well-being program. PANI’s youth mental health program has been layered over an empowerment program and intertwined to to addressing social determinants to emotional ill health in young people.
Youth are in high level of distress due to unemployment, poor academic performance, unrealistic career aspirations, relationships, addictions and relative deprivation of poverty in terms of living condition and quality of life.
Program has completed its one year in January 2024. The experiences of engaging a technical resource organization for training and regular handholding of program team, design tweak to outreach youth like stratification of target group, devising and using micro strategy for communication and engagement with youth and more focus on capacitating a program team that can deliver quality basic mental healthcare to community have been very insightful. We are very hopeful that the foundations which have been laid down in year-1 will provide string base achieving results faster in year-2.
Since this is a community-based program and it needs deep engagement so there are many challenges in journey of our youth mental health program. Some of the key challenges are – (i) Engaging with non-mobilized communities on mental health (ii) Using role play in community with small groups during MHL sessions ( iii) Youth of 17-24 age segments are as moving population for their study, career and job/livelihood (iv)Handling severe cases after screening (v)Youth suicide cases in program geography flustered the team and (vi)Variation in skill: Since program team is a large group of 66 persons; so there is no equal learning and articulating skill of all program team. Program is addressing these challenges effectively and overcoming these.
What we hope to learn from this program are-
a. Extent of distress amongst young people
b. Can young people be trained to offer support in a real world situation?
c. What aspects of the program appeal to young people the most
d. Do programs like this make a real difference in the distress being experienced by young people
Speaker 3
Dr. Rachana Parikh is a highly skilled professional with a Doctor of Philosophy degree, specializing in public health. She currently serves as a Specialist and Consultant at the World Bank and PATH in India. With extensive experience in health systems, policy analysis, and program implementation, Dr. Parikh has significantly contributed to global health initiatives. Her work focuses on improving health outcomes through strategic interventions and collaborations, making her a valuable asset in the field of public health.
Advancing Stakeholder-led Program for Improving youths’ access to mental health resources and Responsiveness of Ecosystem [ASPIRE]
Context: Inadequate access to reliable preventive, promotive, self-care, and specialist care along with poor mental health literacy and attitudinal barriers to help-seeking contribute to unacceptably high treatment gap for mental health problems among youth. Integration of mental health within primary health care is an explicit strategy outlined by the national mental health and primary health care programs in the country for improving access to mental health services. To address this, PATH with support from Indira Foundation and in collaboration with launched ASPIRE project in Feb 2024.
Program components: ASPIRE aims to demonstrate a district-wide model building on the existing public health programs aiming at addressing the high treatment gap for common mental health problems among young people. ASPIRE adopts a district-level saturation approach with human-centered participatory process is developing and implementing the program in Chikkaballapura district, Karnataka.
ASPIRE aims to work towards empowering young people and communities with mental health resources and self-care tools, enabling the primary health care settings in early identification and management of common mental health problems, facilitating access to specialists and operationalizing referral pathways and support the development of interlinkages between existing programs relevant to youth mental health for sustaining early interventions for common mental health problems in young people. Experts from related disciplines and experts by lived experiences of mental health conditions are involved in developing the program based on the current needs.
Title: Advancing Stakeholder-led Program for Improving youths’ access to mental health resources and Responsiveness of Ecosystem [ASPIRE]
Context: Inadequate access to reliable preventive, promotive, self-care, and specialist care along with poor mental health literacy and attitudinal barriers to help-seeking contribute to unacceptably high treatment gap for mental health problems among youth. Integration of mental health within primary health care is an explicit strategy outlined by the national mental health and primary health care programs in the country for improving access to mental health services. To address this, PATH with support from Indira Foundation and in collaboration with launched ASPIRE project in Feb 2024.
Program components: ASPIRE aims to demonstrate a district-wide model building on the existing public health programs aiming at addressing the high treatment gap for common mental health problems among young people. ASPIRE adopts a district-level saturation approach with human-centered participatory process is developing and implementing the program in Chikkaballapura district, Karnataka.
ASPIRE aims to work towards empowering young people and communities with mental health resources and self-care tools, enabling the primary health care settings in early identification and management of common mental health problems, facilitating access to specialists and operationalizing referral pathways and support the development of interlinkages between existing programs relevant to youth mental health for sustaining early interventions for common mental health problems in young people. Experts from related disciplines and experts by lived experiences of mental health conditions are involved in developing the program based on the current needs
Addressing Youth Self-Harm and Suicide Risk: The YASHAS Program -NIMHANS
The YASHAS (Youth Mental Health And Self-Harm Study) Program presents a structured approach to addressing the critical issue of youth self-harm and suicide risk through three distinct work packages.
Work Package 1 focuses on establishing specialized clinics within hospital emergency departments, offering targeted interventions and comprehensive follow-up care for individuals at risk of self-harm. Concurrently, healthcare professionals undergo rigorous training to enhance their proficiency in managing self-harm cases effectively.
Work Package 2 emphasizes collaborative efforts among healthcare providers, community organizations, and educational institutions to optimize resource allocation and enhance the quality of youth mental health services.
Work Package 3 encompasses a robust suicide prevention training program deployed across diverse settings. This initiative equips frontline responders with essential early identification skills and crisis intervention techniques, thereby empowering them to provide timely support and mitigate the risk of suicide.
YASHAS is designed to mitigate self-harm incidents and elevate mental health outcomes among young individuals by fostering collaborative partnerships, delivering specialized care, and empowering communities. The program's integrated framework underscores the importance of early intervention, resilience-building strategies, and holistic care approaches.
This abstract encapsulates YASHAS' strategic initiatives, highlighting its scientific rigor in stakeholder engagement, specialized care delivery, and community empowerment for effective youth mental health and self-harm prevention. The inclusion of evidence-based case studies and outcome measures will further substantiate the program's efficacy in promoting resilience and fostering optimal mental well-being among youth.
Speaker 4
Dr Anish V. Cherian is an Additional Professor of Psychiatric Social Work at The National Institute of Mental Health and Neuroscience (NIMHANS), Bengaluru, India. He is the elected National Representative of India for the current term 2024 – 2027 of the International Association of Suicide Prevention. His areas of research interest include global mental health, self-harm & suicide prevention and stigma. He was chosen for ‘Public Health Research Initiative Fellowship’ by the Public Health foundation of India (PHFI) in collaboration with Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) to carry-out public mental health research between 2015-2019. He is the member of International Association of Suicide Prevention (IASP) and the regional co-coordinator of the IASP regional network for suicide prevention for south-east Asian region. He also serves as Topic Expert Group (TEG) for the mental health gap (mhGAP) guideline update 2021 for the World Health Organisation and as a member of Institute Human Ethics Committee of Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India. He has been part of INDIGO Network and INDIGO partnership and is currently involved in a Medical Research Council, UK funded multi-country study on stigma. He is the principal investigator of multiple suicide prevention projects funded by ICMR for developing a mobile app, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Karnataka for urban self-harm study, TVS Motor Company Ltd & TATA Electronics Private Ltd for workplace suicide prevention, Himalaya Wellness Company for community surveillance of suicidality, Indira Foundation for youth suicide prevention initiative. He has been involved in supervising doctoral and doctoral scholars in the area of public mental health and suicide prevention. Addressing Youth Self-Harm and Suicide Risk: The YASHAS Program –NIMHANS
Title: Addressing Youth Self-Harm and Suicide Risk: The YASHAS Program –NIMHANS
Youth self-harm and suicide pose a serious issue in India. The YASHAS (Youth Mental Health and Self-Harm Study) Program presents a comprehensive approach to addressing this critical problem through three distinct work packages. The programme looks at prevention, intervention and postvention aspects through a comprehensive approach. YASHAS has established specialized clinics within eight general hospital emergency departments to offer targeted interventions and comprehensive follow-up care for individuals at risk of self-harm. Since January 2024, a total of 2,659 youth self-harm survivors have been provided with services. Additionally, healthcare professionals receive rigorous training to enhance their proficiency in managing self-harm cases effectively.
This work package includes the following phases:
The suicide prevention initiative also involves schools and colleges in early intervention by training teaching staff, non-teaching staff, and peer volunteers to identify and refer individuals exhibiting suicidality. This primary initiative will initially be implemented in 50 selected educational institutions in urban Bangalore.
Speaker 5
Kamala Easwaran is the Founder of Sumunum Arts and Wellbeing, an initiative dedicated to integrating the arts into mental and social health services. She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions at the University of Warwick. With a strong background in both arts and health, including her experience at King's College London, Dr. Easwaran is committed to enhancing mental health and well-being through creative and innovative approaches.
Title: Arts based methods as training tools & strategies for youth engagement.
Arts based interventions are inherently non-hierarchical, participatory and experiential. As a result, over the last two decades there has been significant research highlighting the role and effectiveness of arts based interventions in health & mental health services. This presentation showcases an arts based approach to capacity building non-specialist health workers to offer a stepped care mental health intervention for young people between the ages of 17-24 in rural Uttar Pradesh. The capacity building programme is two tiered: (1) to train non-specialist health workers in building community engagement and encouraging help seeking among youth (2) to deliver a lay counselling intervention. The presentation reflects the highlights and challenges of programme implementation.
Title : Community Engagement for mental health services
Symposium 7
Chair : Jagadisha Thirthalli, India
Professor Jagadisha Thirthalli, has held the post of faculty in the Department of Psychiatry of NIMHANS, Bangalore since 2002. He has also previously held the position of head of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services, Dept of Psychiatry, NIMHANS and Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Mental Health. His areas of interest are Long-term outcome of persons with severe mental illness in the community; neuromodulation techniques including ECT and TMS, which has led to approximately 30 funded research projects and 325 publications in peer reviewed journals. In addition, he has also been awarded the Sir CV Raman Award of the Government of Karnataka, The Fellow of the National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS), The Marfatia Award of the Indian Psychiatric Society and the Prof. Raguram Young Distinguished Teacher Award by the Indian Psychiatric Society – Karnataka Chapter.
Speaker 1
Dr. Krishna Prasad M is a distinguished Professor of Psychiatry and the Head of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) in Bengaluru, India. Born on March 6, 1981, Dr. Prasad has established himself as a leading expert in psychiatric rehabilitation, with a keen focus on the physical health of individuals with severe mental illness, multimorbidity, and the mental health of homeless populations. Throughout his career, Dr. Prasad has secured 15 research grants as either principal investigator or co-investigator. His prolific contributions to the field include 90 peer-reviewed journal articles and 12 book chapters, reflecting his commitment to advancing mental health research and practice.
Title: Assisted Home Care for persons with mental illness
Background: The treatment gap for mental disorders in India is 83%. Persons with mental illness may be unable to use hospital-based services for several reasons. To address the gap a shift toward community-level or home-based services is required. Assisted home care (AHC) pilot project aimed to assess the need for AHC services for patients with psychiatric disorders and implement AHC in Bengaluru Urban. Methods: The AHC helpline was established and publicized in April 2023. Consenting persons with mental illness who were living with a guardian and were residents of Bengaluru Urban approached the helpline. Highly disruptive/suicidal or medically ill participants were excluded. Participants were offered teleconsultation/home visits by a psychiatrist and a community nurse or social worker at baseline. Monthly proactive follow-up tele-consultations or home visits included rehabilitative components.
Results and discussion: The clinical and sociodemographic profile of the enrolled participants, the acceptability of the services based on the qualitative feedback of the care recipients, the number of patients/family members who called the helpline, number of patient who were visited at their homes, number of patients who were excluded with reasons and the advice provided, retention in follow up and challenges in service delivery will be presented. The pilot will inform about the needs of the patients and family members for service delivery, its feasibility and scalability.
#The project has been funded by the National Health Mission- Government of Karnataka.
Speaker 2
Dr. Subendran Mahendranathan is a distinguished Consultant Psychiatrist with nearly 14 years of extensive experience in mental health. He holds an MBBS degree from the Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, and has earned both a Diploma in Psychiatry and an MD in Psychiatry from the Post Graduate Institute of Medicine, University of Colombo. Dr. Mahendranathan's career spans various roles, from medical officer in mental health to senior registrar and consultant psychiatrist, with significant contributions in both clinical and academic settings. He has worked in underprivileged and post-war areas, where he pioneered the establishment of a rehabilitation center in Vavuniya. His postgraduate training included stints at the National Hospital of Sri Lanka, Teaching Hospital Jaffna, and in forensic mental health services in Victoria, Australia. Currently, he oversees the regional alcohol rehabilitation center and serves as a visiting lecturer and examiner at the University of Jaffna. Dr. Mahendranathan has a keen research interest in traditional healing and its impact on mental health.
Title: Enhancing Recovery, Empowering Clients: The Kudil Model of Community-Based Mental Health Rehabilitation
Recovery-oriented mental health approaches transform mental health services that are more compassionate, empowering, and effective, supporting individuals in achieving fulfilling lives despite their mental health challenges. These services aim to reduce the disparity between individuals’ pre-morbid functioning and the deficits experienced post-illness, emphasizing retrieval and reintegration through family participation and community engagement. Kudil (the hut), an intermediate stay-home, functions as a community-based mental health rehabilitation facility in Jaffna, Sri Lanka. It aims to assist in the recovery of mentally ill clients by providing a supportive and structured living environment. Established in 2007, using rented-out houses within the local communities, Kudil has since grown into its own building while remaining in a community setting near a tertiary mental health facility. Kudil currently accommodates up to 18 residents at a time and has provided recovery-oriented rehabilitation to over 400 clients since its inception, with stays ranging from 4 to 12 months. The rehabilitation process at Kudil is guided by case management principles and a partnership model, supported by regular team meetings, supervision, training, and audits. With a high staff-to-client ratio, Kudil delivers individualized care and tailored personal and family interventions, fostering independent living and seamless reintegration. Community engagement is a cornerstone of Kudil’s rehabilitation strategy. Clients are encouraged to interact with local communities, find apprenticeships and employment, and care for themselves within a supportive collective environment, while the caregivers are encouraged to learn the essence of rehabilitation. Kudil also focuses on promoting self-reliance and reducing the stigma associated with mental health issues.
Speaker 3
Dr. Mangala R is a distinguished psychiatrist affiliated with SCARF, India and she is the Assistant Director of Media and Awareness. With extensive experience in mental health, Dr. Mangala specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of individuals with severe mental illnesses. She is dedicated to advancing psychiatric care and research, focusing on improving the quality of life for her patients. Through her work at SCARF, Dr. Mangala contributes to various research initiatives and community outreach programs aimed at destigmatizing mental illness and promoting mental health awareness across India.
Title: Community engagement – The SCARF Experience
With communities forming a major buffer for persons with lived experiences of serious mental illnesses public attitudes play a vital role in stigma reduction and inclusivity which directly impacts help seeking.
Community engagement has been at the core of SCARF’s activities from the very beginning.It was probably one of the first nongovernmental institutions to take up the cause of raising awareness about mental health in the people in the country, when all health awareness initiatives were related to physical wellbeing and government driven.
From improving community awareness about serious mental illnesses by busting myths, and facilitating access to care to encourage early help seeking, the community engagement strategies of SCARF have evolved over the years. Starting with community orientation we moved on to community managed approach and are now working towards community owned programs.
From addressing small pockets of different groups of people, to using mass media (print and visual), to exploiting social media, there has been constant innovation in methodology.
In recent times, global research has emphasized the importance of service user participation in community engagement. SCARF has included people with lived experiences of mental illness in its community engagement initiatives, particularly in arts and theatre, for many years now.
This presentation will be an overview of 4 decades of efforts to bring about changes in attitudes, behaviour, environments,policies and practices and promote inclusivity.
Title : Mental health of vulnerable populations
Symposium 8
Chair : Dr.Srividya Iyer
Srividya N. Iyer, Ph.D., is the Canada Research Chair in Youth, Mental Health and Learning Health Systems (Tier 1). She is a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and an Associate Member in the School of Population and Global Health at McGill University. She is a licensed psychologist and a Researcher at the Douglas Research Centre, Montreal, Canada.
Her research spans youth mental health and early intervention for psychosis, in Canada and India, where she was born and initially trained and worked.
She is proud of her long-standing collaboration with the Schizophrenia Research Foundation, particularly around early psychosis.
Srividya has received many prizes and recognitions, including the prestigious Royal-Mach-Gaensslen Prize for Mental Health Research in 2023. She was inducted into the Royal Society of Canada’s College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists and named on the inaugural list of Canadian Women leaders in Global Health. Srividya is Vice President of the International Association for Youth Mental Health.
Speaker 1
Topic: Perinatal common mental health disorders - A public health perspective
Speaker 2
Topic - Enhancing the wellbeing of children in the juvenile justice system
Speaker 3
Topic - Women with schizophrenia and homelessness- Lest we forget
Title :Climate Change
Symposium 9
Lakshmi Vijayakumar
Dr. Lakshmi Vijayakumar, consultant psychiatrist based in Chennai, India, is the Founder of SNEHA, a pioneering suicide prevention organisation in India and is the Head, Department of Psychiatry in the Voluntary Health Services, a multi specialty hospital in Chennai. She is an Honorary Associate Professor of the University of Melbourne, Australia. She is also on the World Health Organisation’s International Network for Suicide Research and Prevention. She has been conferred Honorary Fellowship of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (FRCPsych), U.K. for her work on suicide prevention and also has been conferred FRCP (EDIN). She was awarded the Ringel Service award by IASP.
She has published widely in peer reviewed journals and has authored several chapters and edited two books. Her area of interest and expertise includes developing cost effective community intervention to prevent suicide.
Speaker 1
Professor Mala Rao, the Director of the Ethnicity and Health Unit, Imperial College London, has an enticing career that spans across public health practice, policy, research and education. She has done extensive work during her research on the intersections between race, gender, health and climate. She also serves as the chair for the WHO South East Asia Region’s Expert Group on the Environmental Determinants of Climate Change and Health, Clinical Adviser to the UK General Medical Council on equality, diversity and inclusion and Vice Chair of WaterAid UK, where she has made impactful achievements in workforce development, strengthening health systems for universal health and climate change in the UK and in the global arena.
Title: The Climate Crisis and Mental Health: Translating evidence into action
The climate crisis has entered a new age. In 2023, past climate records were shattered and caused the United Nations Secretary General to declare that ‘global warming had ended, and that the era of global boiling had begun’. That climate change is the biggest threat to global public health has been recognised for some time. Estimations of the impacts of climate change dimensions such as heat stress, floods and air pollution on physical health demonstrate that the burden of morbidity and mortality is increasing steeply in every region. Mental ill health too is rising, but its burden is less well quantified and pathways linking it to climate change remain less well understood. However, a growing body of evidence is demonstrating that climate change is linked with a spectrum of mental health impacts ranging from worsened outcomes for those with diagnosable mental health disorders to declining population mental health and wellbeing. These impacts are not confined to those countries hardest hit by the climate crisis, as being aware of current and future climate-related risks is adversely affecting the emotional wellbeing of all populations, young people in particular. Against this bleak background, solutions are emerging, offering hope for the future. Mental health professionals have a crucial role in leading a global strategy to collect the evidence and translate it into action to alleviate the mental health impacts of the climate crisis, achieve a better balance between eco-anxiety and despair and global inertia and help build a better world for future generations.
Speaker 2
Professor Philippe Conus is currently the head of Adult Psychiatry at Lausanne University Hospital, as well as a member of the faculty of biology and medicine at University of Lausanne, Switzerland. Prior to this, he completed his training is internal medicine and a specialization in psychiatry, where he formed an interest in schizophrenia. From 2000 to 2004 he worked in Australia where he did valuable research into first episode psychosis and then the early phase of bipolar disorders. When he returned to Switzerland, he launched the TIPP program which offers three years of treatment to first episode psychosis patients between the ages of 18 to 35. The program, in addition to including over a 1000 patients, has also developed a wide range of research streams. He is currently the president elect of IEPA, which he joined in 2001, prior to which he was the vice president for Europe between 2018 and 2022.
Title: Climate change: a relevant target for early intervention in mental health
Early intervention in mental health has made great progress over the last 30 years. However, if secondary and indicated prevention strategies have emerged, we may need to also explore what actions can be taken at the level of the risk factors which lead to the emergence of new patients. While some progress has been made in this domain (obstetric complications and pregnancy infections for example), climate change might also deserve consideration. Indeed, climate change and its acute and progressive consequences have a major impact on mental health. They are usually classified as direct (in the context of natural disasters), progressive (slow progression of desertification or see level rising) and indirect (mainly in youth through the development of eco-anxiety. There are however various strategies to face these changes, ranging from individual actions to political involvement, which all may contribute to mitigate the impact of climate change on mental health.
Speaker 3
Dr. Vidhya Venugopal is a Professor of Occupational and Environmental Health at the Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Public Health, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education & Research in Chennai, India. She holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Chemistry from the University of Madras and has completed post-doctoral training in Environmental Chemistry and Engineering from Central Queensland University, Australia. With extensive expertise in occupational hygiene and climate science, her research focuses on heat stress, workload, and dehydration impacts on health. She collaborates with international organizations, leads numerous epidemiological projects, and contributes to global health initiatives.
Title: Heat-health and eco-anxiety research without behaviours and risk perception- Are we missing something?
The increasing frequency and intensity of heat waves exacerbate the associated health hazards across the globe. The way individuals react to the rising temperature, and how should they adapt is an unanswered question? Time exacerbates this issue, which disproportionately affects vulnerable communities, which should be resolved through research. What is missing? Most research quantified the health effects of heat exposure. Simply quantifying heat as exposure to extreme temperatures may not adequately capture the subjective experience of extreme temperatures and the numerous health consequences, such as risk-avoidance behaviours. Behaviours have a substantial impact on risk perception, which may serve as a reliable predictor of reported protective behaviours. Climate change, movement behaviours, and health effect mechanisms are yet to receive the attention they deserve. However, a lack of research indicates that changing human behaviours could be beneficial in preventing disease and mitigating heat-related health impacts. Functional impairment, symptoms of melancholy, anxiety, PTSD, stress, insomnia, lower self-rated mental health, and hopelessness about life are all associated with heat-related anxiety. Researching diverse studies using methodologies from philosophy, psychology, economics and interdisciplinary environmental studies can facilitate the development of precise models to comprehend heat-related eco-anxiety in a holistic manner. When developing or enhancing local heat action plans, considering the predictors of heat-related risk avoidance behaviors, including age, gender, socioeconomic status subjective experience, and risk perception is crucial for effectiveness of the program. Development of climate change mitigation and adaptation plans that prioritise vulnerable populations, communities, and nations, future research must establish a comprehensive multidisciplinary strategy.
Title : Indian Research in Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders: Bench to Bedside
Symposium 10
Chair : Laxmikant Rathi
Dr. Laxmikant Rathi is the current President of the Indian Psychiatric Society (IPS) and a consulting psychiatrist with 42 years of practice at his private nursing home, Govardhan Hospital, in Amravati. He has previously served as the President of the West Zone of IPS, the Maharashtra State Chapter of IPS, and the Amravati Psychiatrists Society. Dr. Rathi has also held significant positions in the Indian Association of Private Psychiatry (IAPP) and Lions Clubs International, where he served as District Governor (2007-2008) and Multiple Council Chairperson (2008-09). He has contributed to mental health awareness through articles in print media and has published papers and articles on depression. Recently, he was nominated as a member of the Constitution Committee of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).
Speaker 1
Professor Sandeep Grover is a part of the Department of Psychiatry from PGIMER, Chandigarh. His area of interest are Severe Mental Disorders, Psychopharmacology, C L Psychiatry and Geriatric Psychiatry. He has 923 publications in peer-reviewed journals, 94 book chapters and edited 6 books, all of which have been sited over twenty-two thousand times. He has won 72 awards, including ICMR, WPA, ISAD, AFPA, PIM-PACIFIC, IPS, IAGMH, IASP, IACAM, IPS-NZ. He was also awarded the Indian Council of Medical Research three times. Based on his lifetime of research output, Stanford University listed him in the top 2% researchers.
Title: Indian Experience of clozapine use in patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia
Clozapine is one of the antipsychotics, use of which is limited to patients with treatment resistant schizophrenia. However, despite about one-third of patients with schizophrenia developing TRS, use of clozapine is much lower. One of the major problems in use of clozapine includes its dreaded hematological side effects and need for hematological monitoring. This talk will focus on available literature from India on use of clozapine in different centres and our experience of using clozapine in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorder. Available literature suggest that clozapine is effective in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorder, event during the first episode of psychosis. In terms of effectiveness, clozapine has also been found to be useful in patients with medication induced tardive syndromes, and psychosis in patients with Parkinson’s disease. In terms of patient and caregiver experience, clozapine has been reported to improve the overall experience with treatment. In terms of medication load, clozapine has been actually shown to reduce the medication load. In terms of side effects, the incidence of hematological side-effects, and seizures is low with clozapine. The common side effects encountered include sedation, hypersalivation and metabolic disturbances. These can be managed with a combination of pharmacological and non-pharmacological measures. Overall, it can be said that clozapine should not be withheld from patients who have TRS. Appropriate psychoeducation of patients and caregivers can lead to better acceptance of clozapine.
Speaker 2
Dr. Vanteemar S. Sreeraj is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) in Bengaluru, India. His areas of expertise include schizophrenia, brain stimulation, neurobiology, neurocognition, and psychotropics. Dr. Sreeraj has authored over 100 peer-reviewed publications and contributed to more than 10 book chapters. He has received several prestigious national and international awards, including the ICONS Young Researcher Award, WFSBP Young Researcher Award, and the ASHA Award
Speaker 3
Professor Jagadisha Thirthalli, has held the post of faculty in the Department of Psychiatry of NIMHANS, Bangalore since 2002. He has also previously held the position of head of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services, Dept of Psychiatry, NIMHANS and Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Mental Health. His areas of interest are Long-term outcome of persons with severe mental illness in the community; neuromodulation techniques including ECT and TMS, which has led to approximately 30 funded research projects and 325 publications in peer reviewed journals. In addition, he has also been awarded the Sir CV Raman Award of the Government of Karnataka, The Fellow of the National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS), The Marfatia Award of the Indian Psychiatric Society and the Prof. Raguram Young Distinguished Teacher Award by the Indian Psychiatric Society – Karnataka Chapter.
Title: A Peak into the Lives of Persons with Schizophrenia Living in Rural Communities in India
Much of research on schizophrenia has come from hospital-based studies. Literature regarding persons with schizophrenia living in rural communities in India is sparse. Our work over the past 2 decades in rural communities of Karnataka involving persons with severe mental illness has explored several dimensions of their lives and illness. Several of our findings are unique and are in stark contrast to the studies conducted in hospital-based studies, particularly those from advanced countries. This presentation would provide an overview of the findings in dimensions including access to, continuity of, and cost of care, symptoms, disability, course and outcome, adverse effects, mortality, family burden and substance use comorbidity.
Multi-level, holistic interventions for youth wellbeing
Symposium 11
Chair:Matt Hughsam
Matthew Hughsam, CPC, MPH, is a seasoned public health professional and certified coach with extensive experience in global health and youth mental health initiatives. He holds a Master of Public Health from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and a Bachelor's degree from McMaster University. Currently, he serves as the Director of Strategic Initiatives at citiesRISE, where he leads research and program initiatives, including an innovation accelerator for mental health. Matthew has also coached students at Harvard Kennedy School and consulted for the Harvard Ministerial Leadership Program, demonstrating his commitment to leadership and innovative health solutions.
Speaker 1
Orlaith O'Sullivan is a global mental health advocate associated with citiesRISE, where she focuses on transforming the mental health of young people worldwide through innovative community-based approaches. With a deep background in mindfulness and mental well-being, Orlaith plays a key role in advocacy, education, and community engagement, working to create systemic change and promote mental health awareness both locally and internationally.
Speaker 2
Dr. M. Suresh Kumar is an experienced and accomplished psychiatrist based in Chennai, currently serving as the Director and Consultant at Psymed Hospital in Chetput. With extensive expertise in mental health, he has dedicated his career to providing comprehensive psychiatric care and treatment. Dr. Kumar's commitment to his patients and contributions to the field of psychiatry have established him as a respected figure in the medical community.
Title: Multi-level, holistic interventions for youth wellbeing
Young people today are growing up facing immense stress, from the effects of climate change to pandemics to conflicts to the rise of technology. There is a critical need for multi-level, holistic interventions that support young people to navigate the inner, social, and environmental dimensions of their lives. Over the past three years, citiesRISE, SCARF, and other partners have designed and evaluated a portfolio of interventions promoting youth mental health by cultivating gratitude, kindness, and hope (GKH) as key inner strengths for navigating past, present, and future life challenges. The GKH approach is modular – where different components can be integrated into the existing work of a diverse range of youth-serving organizations – and has been implemented across India, Kenya, and the U.S., with expansion underway in South Africa and Sweden. Initial results from schools in Chennai demonstrated statistically significant improvements in wellbeing, resilience, and social connectedness, and there are two randomized controlled trials currently underway. This symposium will highlight evidence, learnings, and opportunities related to the GKH approach across multiple domains/sectors, including education and nature/environment.
Speaker 3
Jagadeesan Settu is a mental health professional driven to bridge the gap between research and real-world application in youth mental health. With a Master's in Applied Psychology from Coventry University, UK, and his 3 years of experience focus on the realm of positive psychology. Working as a Research Assistant in the Templeton project, he received training in arts and theatre. This experience equipped him to deliver character strength components like hope, gratitude, and kindness to children in school and community settings. This combined background in research, positive psychology, and youth mental health makes Jagadeesan a well-rounded professional dedicated to improving the well-being of young people.
Title : Enhancing Outcomes for Schizophrenia and Psychosis
Symposium 12
Chair : Sadanand Rajkumar
Dr. Sadanand Rajkumar, MD, FRANZCP, is a seasoned psychiatrist with over 20 years of experience in HNE Mental Health and various public and private hospitals. Since 1998, he has been a conjoint Professor with the University of Newcastle. Dr. Rajkumar specializes in the mental health of the elderly, focusing on dementia, depression, substance abuse, family issues, memory problems, personality disorders, psychosis, and stress-related mental health issues. He serves as a Psychiatrist Panel member with the NSW Ministry of Health's Mental Health Review Tribunal and is actively engaged with The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP), particularly in Specialist International Medical Graduate Education (SIMGE). Additionally, he is an accredited member of the Faculty of Psychiatry of Old Age (FPOA) and the Faculty of Adult Psychiatry.
Speaker 1
Associate Professor Vinay Lakra is currently the Divisional Director of Mental Health Division in Northern Health, Melbourne. Previously, he held the position of Practitioner Member in the Medical Board of Australia (MBA) in the Victorian Board, He has also held sever posts in The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists. He served as a board member on the Council of Presidents of Medical Colleges, Australia, The Deputy Chief Psychiatrist in Department of Health, Mental Health Branch, Victoria, and the Clinical Director at The Royal Melbourne Hospital. He holds a keen interest in research in policy issues and data analytics for translational approaches to improvement in healthcare and is working on multiple projects in collaboration with other colleagues.
Title - Improving health and social outcomes for people with Schizophrenia
Background: Life expectancy for people with Schizophrenia is significant less than the general population with a gap of almost 20-30 years. Similarly, outcomes in other health and social domains are also poor for this cohort. Multiple decades of reform has not delivered on improving these outcomes.
Objectives:To identify and discuss the factors underlying lack of changes in health and social outcomes for people with Schizophrenia with a focus on practical solutions. Methods: The presentation will delve into academic literature as well as personal expertise and experience to shed light on these issues. The presentation will utilize local and national data from Australia in highlighting the policy areas which can improve health and social outcomes for people with Schizophrenia.
Findings and Conclusions: Although there is significant improvements in healthcare service delivery, it has not meant improved outcomes for people with Schizophrenia.There are several opportunities to make improvements in care provision for people with Schizophrenia including investing in psychosocial measures which can positively impact on health and social outcomes for people with Schizophrenia.
Speaker 2
Dr. C. Ramasubramanian, also known as Dr. C.R.S., is a prominent figure in mental health with over 40 years of experience. He is the Vice President of the WAPR South East Asia Region, Founder of the MS Chellamuthu Trust and Research Foundation, and a Senior Consultant Psychiatrist at Ahana Hospitals in Madurai. Dr. C.R.S. also serves as the State Nodal Officer for the Police Well-being Programme in Tamil Nadu and is a Member of the Fifth Police Commission of Tamil Nadu. With a rich background in community psychiatry, psychosocial rehabilitation, and de-addiction, he has been instrumental in expanding mental health services and implementing community-based programs. His dedication has earned him numerous awards, including the State's Best Doctor Award and the Abdul Kalam Seva Ratna Award. Through his trust, he has established extensive psychiatric rehabilitation facilities and employment support for those with mental disabilities.
Speaker 3
Dr. Olatunde O Ayinde, MBBS; MS; FWACP was born on February 4, 1976, in Igbo-Ora, Ibarapa Central Local Government. He had his primary school education at Roman Catholic Mission School, Pako, Igbo-Ora, between 1983 and 1989, and secondary school education at Bishop Onabanjo High School between 1990 and 1995. His obtained his basic medical degree at the University of Ibadan College of Medicine in 2005. Dr Ayinde holds a Master of Science degree in international health policy and management from the Heller School for Social Policy, Brandeis University, Waltham, USA (2014). He completed his residency training programme in Psychiatry in 2015 at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, thereby earning a Fellowship of the West African College of Physician, the highest qualification for practicing psychiatry in the West African sub-region. Dr Ayinde joined the faculty at the department of psychiatry, University of Ibadan in 2020. He is the recipient of several undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships, including the NNPC/Chevron scholarship, Federal Government Scholarship and the Joint Japan/World Bank Scholarship. He was the winner of the annual British Medical Journal Global Health Grant in 2022. Dr Ayinde has published over 40 journal articles and book chapters. He currently serves as the residency training coordinator in the Department of Psychiatry, University College Hospital, Ibadan.
Title : Lived Experience Panel
Symposium 13
Chair : Dr. M. Suresh Kumar, India
Dr. M. Suresh Kumar is an experienced and accomplished psychiatrist based in Chennai, currently serving as the Director and Consultant at Psymed Hospital in Chetput. With extensive expertise in mental health, he has dedicated his career to providing comprehensive psychiatric care and treatment. Dr. Kumar's commitment to his patients and contributions to the field of psychiatry have established him as a respected figure in the medical community.
Speaker 1
Mr. Sumit Guha graduated from Indian Institute of Technology at Kharagpur in 1988 and the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad in 1990. He joined Tata Administrative Service in July 1990. He had served as a probationer for a year in five different Tata Companies when he was assigned to Tata Tea Limited. He experienced his first two- year episode in 1997. After that, he joined the Taj Group of Hotels in 1999. Ten years later, he experienced his second experience transferred as Deputy Managing Director of Tata Realty. He had a third episode and by 2015, left the company as he was no longer functional. From then, he did a combination of consulting and odd jobs till 2020. He is currently an organization called FACEMI, a pan India group of families that advocate with the government to better the quality of mental health care for their loved ones.
Title: NAVIGATING THE CORPORATE ENVIRONMENT WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA SPECTRUM DISORDER
Having graduated from India’s top colleges, the IIT at Kharagpur in 1988 and the IIM, Ahmedabad in 1990, I joined Tata Administrative Service, the management cadre of the Tata Group, India’s largest corporate house, in July1990. After serving as a probationer for a year in five different Tata Companies, I was assigned to Tata Tea Limited. I first experienced a two-year episode what was then diagnosed as depression in Tata Tea in 1997 and during this period, I moved to Titan Industries and was diagnosed with psychotic depression. During this time, my brain became slow and under medication, it was almost impossible to function. In 1999 I got an offer to join the Taj Group of Hotels in 1999. I took the job and decided to discontinue all medicatoin without discussing with my psychiatrist. In ten years, I rose from the position of DGM – Development to VP – Development and Projects, in charge of the growth of the Taj, India’s largest chain of hotels. In 2009, I was subjected to very stressful situations and according to me, that precipitated my second episode in the Taj. My cognitive skills were considerably impaired and my energy levels were substantially diminished. Based on some high level politics, I was transferred out of the Taj as Deputy Managing Director of Tata Realty. This company was a fund manager and real estate developer for a US $ 700m fund. Around 2013, I had a third episode, this time with wild delusions (as I now see it) and by 2015, I left the company as I was no longer functional. Since then, I have been doing some consulting work and set up an app, but essentially odd jobs till 2020. I was then diagnosed with schizophrenia spectrum disorder. I’m now a volunteer at an organization called FACEMI, which is a pan India group of families that advocate with the government to better the quality of mental health care for their loved ones.
Speaker 2
Ms. Gita Jayaraj is a freelance writer and editor with a keen interest in cultures and societies. Her areas of concern include, but are not limited to marginalities, gender, caste, theatre, ritual and performance. She's currently a doctoral research scholar at the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences (DoHSS) at Indian Institute of Technology-Madras (IIT-M). She completed an MPhil from the Centre of Linguistics and English, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi in 1995. Since then she has worked extensively in the fields of academic publishing and technical documentation. Gita has worked both in the corporate sector and with non-government organizations as a freelancer; she has worked as an independent researcher,writer and editor. Her last full-time employment was as the Registrar of the Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), Chennai. Some years ago, she was inspired to get back to full-time academia to pursue a PhD programme.
Title: Managing one's heart (and mind) while managing and caring for another's mind (and heart)
As part of the lived experience panel I talk about my role as my mother’s caregiver for the last seven years. My mother is 83 years old this year and was diagnosed with vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s in 2018. As the eldest I have been her primary caregiver over approximately the last six years. I initially tried to yank her back into the fold of a common-lived-reality and then gradually gave it up even as I struggled to come to terms with her reality. This gave rise to all kinds of dilemmas for me such as needing to rationalize, intellectualize, or look for meaning. Along with it came the fervor to push back against the stigma of “mental health illness” when trying to explain her condition. I touch upon some of the challenges of caregiving in a country like ours, where access to health care (and not only mental health care) and support systems often exist at the two extremes of the economic spectrum. I conclude with why advisory boards such as the one for FEP is important to imagine a world in which affordable support for mental health care is not only accessible, but also a given.
Speaker 3
Mr. Adithya Krishnamoorthy is a Student Peer Support Organizer. He is the founder of the Tapestry Project in 2023 which was launched in effort to be a professional psychiatric forum as a digital support group capability for patients with BPD. Additionally, he also works on Peer Space which is a Young Adult Support Group that advises planning commitments from the perspective of lived experiences with mental health concerns, And BPD Space, which is a Borderline Personality Disorder Support Group. Prior to this, he worked in the Center for Intensive Treatment of Personality Disorders and delivered a presentation at the MANTHAN Seminar.
Title: Representation Healthcare: Thoughts on the Lived Experiences Paradigm from a Youth Perspective | Discovering New Pathways
Mental Health is personal. Peer Worker Adithya Krishnamoorthy reflects on what he considers to be the new era of mental healthcare - one where patients have a seat at the table.
Speaker 4
Mr. Anerudh is a Peer Support Volunteer at SCARF and has been taking treatment for 8 years. He is an engineering and MBA graduate with experience in FMCG sales.His interests are in transpersonal and humanistic psychology, and his lived experience with schizophrenia have given him a valuable insight into mental health and how people experience mental illness . He is interested in Indian psychology and Indian philosophy and he explores it within his current mental limitations.
Title: The voice of a Peer - sharing an emotional journey in peer support delivery
In this symposium Mr. Anirudh, an individual who has navigated the complexities of schizophrenia will share his experience of having delivered peer support to other persons with lived experience of schizophrenia and how he has found purpose and empowerment through delivering peer support. Drawing from personal encounters Mr. Anirudh will share on his own journey of embracing lived experience as a source of strength and connection in supporting others facing similar challenges and will provide insights into the transformative power of peer support. This session aims to challenge stigma, promote inclusivity, and inspire new approaches to supporting individuals with schizophrenia on their path to recovery and resilience.
Title : Psychoses in Elderly
Symposium 14
Chair : Malaiappan M
Speaker 1
Perminder Sachdev AM is Scientia Professor of Neuropsychiatry at UNSW Sydney, Co-Director of CHeBA, and Clinical Director of the Neuropsychiatric Institute at Prince of Wales Hospital. He completed his MD in Psychiatry at AIIMS, New Delhi, and his PhD in Australia. His work spans drug-induced movement disorders, dementia, and brain stimulation techniques. He has published over 600 papers and several books. Prof. Sachdev has received numerous awards, including NSW Scientist of the Year and Member of the Order of Australia. He leads major cognitive aging studies and international networks promoting brain health and dementia prevention.
Title: Psychosis in Dementia
Psychotic symptoms are common in dementia. They have been most extensively examined in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), but also occur in dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), Parkinson’s disease dementia (PDD), vascular dementia (VaD), fronto-temporal dementia (FTD), Huntington’s disease (HD), and other dementias. While their prevalence varies depending upon dementia sub-type, stage of the disease, and several other factors, they are seen in one-third to one-half of patients with AD. Psychotic symptoms have acquired salience because they cause considerable distress, are difficult to treat, often signal accelerated decline, and increase the risk of institutionalisation and death. The diagnostic criteria for psychosis in dementia have been proposed by several authors, but some uncertainties remain. It is debated whether delusions and hallucinations should be separate entities, or under one rubric. Are the psychotic symptoms that occur in the context of dementia different from primary psychotic disorders occurring later in life? What is the role of agitation in the development of psychotic symptoms? Do psychotic symptoms occur in the prodromal phase of dementia, i.e. at the MCI/ MBI stage? Are there any specific biomarkers for psychosis in this context? Does the treatment of psychosis in dementia differ from that of psychosis in general, and are there any special considerations? This talk will address some of these questions and chart a path to the practical management of dementia-related psychosis and the future research direction.
Speaker 2
Dilip V. Jeste, M.D. is Director of the Global Research Network on Social Determinants of Mental Health and Exposomics, President-Elect of the World Federation for Psychotherapy, and Editor-in-Chief of the International Psychogeriatrics. He is Former Senior Associate Dean for Healthy Aging and Senior Care and Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry and Neurosciences at University of California San Diego. He obtained his medical education in Pune, and psychiatry training in Mumbai, India. In the US, he completed psychiatry residency at Cornell, and Neurology residency at George Washington University. He was a research fellow, and later, Chief of the Units on Movement Disorders and Dementias at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) before joining UC San Diego where he worked for 36 years. Dr. Jeste has been Principal Investigator on a number of research and training grants, mostly from the NIH and VA. His main areas of research include schizophrenia, neuropsychiatric interventions, and healthy aging. He has published 14 books, including “Wiser”, “Positive Psychiatry”, and “Successful Cognitive and Emotional Aging”, over 750 articles in peer-reviewed journals, and 160+ invited book chapters. He is Past President of the American Psychiatric Association (APA), American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry, West Coast College of Biological Psychiatry, and Founding President of International College of Geriatric Psychoneuropharmacology.
>Dr. Jeste is a member of the National Academy of Medicine, and was a member of the NIMH Advisory Council and NIH Council of Councils. He is Past Editor-in-Chief of The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. He was listed in “The Best Doctors in America” and in the Institute of Scientific Information list of the “world’s most cited authors” comprising fewer than 0.5% percent of all publishing researchers of the previous two decades. Dr. Jeste has received many awards including NIMH’s MERIT Award; Commendation for Dedicated Service from the Veterans Affairs; and awards from Society of Biological Psychiatry; APA; Institute of Living; American College of International Physicians; National Alliance on Mental Illness; National Alliance for Research in Schizophrenia and Affective Disorders; American College of Psychiatrists; International Psychogeriatric Association; Universities of Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, and Maryland, and Cornell.
He has also received Honorary Fellowship, the highest honor it bestows, from UK’s Royal College of Psychiatrists; and Honorary Professorship from Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru. He has been a TEDMED speaker. His work has been cited in Time, The Atlantic, New York Times, The Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, The London Times, Public Radio International, NPR, and various other national and international media outlets.Title: Recent Updates on Late-Onset and Very Late-Onset Schizophrenia
Late-onset schizophrenia (LOS) with onset between 40 and 60 years of age differs from early-onset schizophrenia (EOS) and from Very-late-onset schizophrenia-like psychosis (VLOSLP) which has the first episode of psychosis after age 60. LOS patients have better premorbid functioning, less disorganized thinking, and better prognosis than EOS patients. Women comprise a majority of patients with LOS and VLOSLP; but the estrogen hypothesis of schizophrenia is unproven, and estrogen therapies have not shown consistent results. LOS patients demonstrated better cognitive performance than EOS patients in the domains of memory, executive function, and processing speed, but more impairment in attention, verbal fluency and visuospatial construction. LOS typically does not lead to Alzheimer’s. On brain imaging, LOS was associated with lateral ventricular enlargement, larger thalamic volumes, decreased white matter integrity and reduced cerebral blood flow in postcentral gyri compared to EOS. VLOSLP has some overlapping features with Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease with psychosis. The course of schizophrenia varies considerably. Some patients experience worsening, many have a stable course, and a minority demonstrate partial or full remission. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic changes with aging lead to increased sensitivity to antipsychotics, with a higher risk of side effects. The choice of antipsychotic medication is usually determined by the risks of specific side effects, e.g., neurological versus metabolic. A study of commonly prescribed atypical antipsychotics in outpatients over age 40 showed a high one-year cumulative incidence of metabolic syndrome and high rates of both serious and non-serious adverse events. Data suggest that atypical antipsychotics may be helpful short-term but have borderline efficacy and limited safety over longer periods, and higher risk of death with higher doses. Cognitive Behavioral Social Skills Training and Functional Adaptation and Skills Training interventions produced improvement in functioning, and both are considered evidence-based by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Agency.
Speaker 3
Dr. Palanimuthu Thangaraju Sivakumar is a Professor of Psychiatry and the Head of the Geriatric Psychiatry Unit at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) in Bengaluru, India. He specializes in the mental health of the elderly, focusing on the diagnosis, treatment, and management of psychiatric disorders in older adults. Dr. Thangaraju has contributed significantly to the field through his clinical work, research, and teaching, aiming to improve the quality of life for geriatric patients. His work includes addressing issues such as dementia, depression, and anxiety in the elderly population, ensuring comprehensive care and support for this vulnerable group.
Title: Psychosis in late-life mood disorders
Psychosis in late-life mood disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder is a common and important mental health problem in older adults. Psychotic depression in late life can contribute to significant morbidity and increase the risk for mortality. Recognising psychotic symptoms in late-life depression can be challenging in the context of sensory impairment and comorbidity of cognitive impairment. It is important to consider the possibility of unrecognised psychotic symptoms when there is non-response to the usual treatment for depression. Recent evidence from randomised controlled trials has strengthened the role of combination treatment with antidepressants and antipsychotics. However, there are significant challenges related to treatment response and tolerability for antipsychotics and antidepressants. Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has an important role in the treatment of Severe depression with Psychotic symptoms in late life. ECT can be considered the treatment of choice in older adults with psychotic depression when there is an urgent requirement for improvement due to the risks associated with severe illness. Compared to the global practice, there is a possibility of the underutilisation of ECT for the treatment of Late-life depression in India. Older adults having late onset Mania with Psychotic symptoms require comprehensive evaluation for secondary causes of mania, including neurodegenerative aetiology. There is a need for a better understanding of the neurobiology of psychosis in late-life mood disorders to facilitate early diagnosis and intervention.
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