The Maldives National University (MNU) today inaugurated the 16th International Conference of the SAARC Psychiatric Federation in Malé, Maldives. Taking place on 1 and 2 November 2026, the conference brings together psychiatrists, mental health practitioners, researchers and academics from across South Asia to share expertise, explore emerging developments in psychiatry and discuss approaches to strengthening mental healthcare.
The inauguration ceremony was graced by the First Lady of the Republic of Maldives, Madam Sajida Mohamed, as the Chief Guest.
The programme features a series of keynote lectures, symposiums, workshops and free paper presentations covering important areas of contemporary psychiatry and mental health. Discussions include the relationship between climate change and mental health, equitable and human-centered mental healthcare, school health and wellbeing services, neuropsychiatry, mental health challenges among Generation Z, and the impact of social media connectivity.
The first day of the conference includes a symposium titled “Evidence, Empathy and Equity in Mental Health Care in the SAARC Region,” featuring contributions from Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The Maldivian perspectives are presented by Dr Arif Mohamed and Dr Abdulla Nazim. Other sessions explore mental health stigma, cultural perspectives on mental healthcare, and the evolving landscape of psychiatric and neuropsychiatric practice.
The second day continues with discussions on innovative treatment approaches, including precision and personalized healthcare, repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (r-TMS), mental health concerns among Generation Z, and the effects of social media. Further sessions address substance use disorders, psychiatric medication during pregnancy, depression among older adults, and the mental health consequences of political violence and institutional disasters.
The programme also features a workshop on “Sexuality and Sexual Dysfunction – Understanding and Management,” alongside a symposium on “The Gender Paradox of Infertility: Sexual Health, Marital Wellbeing and Mental Health in South Asia.” The conference will conclude with a closing ceremony on 2 November 2026.
Through hosting this international conference, MNU continues to provide a platform for regional and international academic collaboration, professional knowledge exchange and dialogue on critical healthcare issues. The conference also highlights the importance of strengthening mental health awareness, advancing evidence-based practices and promoting accessible, inclusive and compassionate mental healthcare across the region.
