Thursday 6 March 2025

Congress News Brief


A full day of symposia, workshops, oral and poster sessions are scheduled today.


To view the today's program, click here!

To view the entire Congress program, click here!

Prof. Prabha Chandra (left) and Dr. Ashlesha Bagadia

The Congress on Wednesday began with two full day and six half day workshops. The

Opening Ceremony began with Prof. Prabha S. Chandra, IAWMH President, welcoming the delegates who are attending the Congress from 41 countries across the globe.


After a moving Confluence of Continents through Poetry that shared voices and verses from around the world. Congress leaders were invited to the stage for Auspicious Unveilings with floating candles and lotus flowers.

IAWMH President-elect and Congress Scientific Program Chair Dr. Judith Usall Rodie presented an overview of the Congress' program.


Prof. Savita Malhotra, President of the Indian Psychiatric Society, welcomed the delegates and turned the podium over to Prof. Pratima Murthy, Director, NIMHANS. Her presentation of the History of Psychiatry in India was quite in depth.


Dr. Ashlesha Bagadia, President, South Asian Marce Society, spoke about Expressing Gratitude as the delegates rose for the National Anthem.


The Conference Panel - Reimagining Women's Mental Health in Today's World Through Conversations featured: 

  • Ms. Uma Mahadevan, Additional Chief Secretary and Development Commissioner, Government of Karnataka
  • Dr. Shubulade Smith, President, The Royal College of Psychiatrists, United Kingdom
  • Ms. Neha Kirpal, Founding Cohort, India Mental Health Alliance (MHA)

The nursing students of NIMHANS treated the delegates to a cultural tapestry.



Wednesday was just a taste! Don't miss these keynote speakers and plenary sessions today, Thursday 6 March!


And don't miss the Congress Gala tonight!

9:00am - 9:30am

Priorities for Mental Health in 2025

Norman Sartorius, Switzerland

9:30am - 10:00am

Early Adversity and Accelerated Aging: The Persistent Scars of Early Trauma

Prof Vidita Vaidya, India

10:00am - 11:00am

Panel - Humanitarian issues, Conflict, War and Women

Moderator - Dr Poornima Bhola, India

Panelists - Prof Gihan ELNahas, Egypt

Dr Kimneihat Vaiphei, India

Dr Christina Hoven, USA

Dr Hela Ouennich, Tunisia

2:00pm - 3:00pm

Presidents Panel

Moderator - Prof Gihan ElNahas, Egypt

Prof Uriel Halbriech, USA

Prof Anita Riecher-Rössler, Switzerland

Prof Helen Herrman, Australia

Prof Florence Thibaut, France

Prof Savita Malhotra, India

Dr Aastha Tomar, Australia

5:00pm - 5:30pm

Management of Bipolar Disorders in Women

Prof Lakshmi N Yatham, Canada

5:30pm - 6:00pm

The Gendered Brain: Do You Have a Female Brain or a Male Brain? Or are We Asking The Wrong Question? (Virtual Talk)

Prof. Gina Rippon, United Kingdom


International Association for Women's Mental Health | www.iawmh.org
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