 | "Psychiatry needs to continue to develop as an evidence based science and become more and more relevant in a congested and crowded mental health environment. The theme of this Congress is an important step in meeting these challenges and ensuring psychiatry is part of an ever evolving and changing society. Society expect and in some cases, demands the most modern and up to date techniques, medicines and treatments, especially when dealing with the complexities of mental health. There is nothing more exciting than a Congress that brings to the table new ideas, new thoughts and innovative thinking about tackling and treating mental health and psychiatric illnesses, presented by proven experts, for attendees to discuss, challenge and enhance. This is an opportunity to attend such a congress, in the beautiful and culturally diverse city of Melbourne." Andrew C Peters Chief Executive Officer The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists |

|
“I am delighted to be participating in the WPA Melbourne 2018,
and to present a plenary address on a hot new topic in psychiatry that is not
without controversy, namely the entity of “mixed features” for mood
episodes. My talk is entitled: “Treatment of Major Depressive Episodes
with Mixed Features: Does a “whiff” mean treatment with an atypical
antipsychotic and not an antidepressant?”
I am excited about being
able to present this topic and discuss it with international colleagues,
including discussions of the new guidelines for this entity which I published
with numerous colleagues very recently. I will also be giving a second talk
during the Congress on a topic in psychopharmacology.” Stephen
Stahl
USA |
 | "The fact that WPA’s ultimate
goal is to promote the advancement of psychiatry and mental health for all
citizens of the world is one of the many reasons why it is important for
psychiatrists to attend the WPATC 2018. What better possibility to exchange
views with other mental health professionals from the 138 member societies of
118 countries? As participants, you can seize the chance to benefit from and
contribute to the WPA’s collaborative work with international organisations and
research institutions. Why not fight alongside a strong advocate such as WPA
and contribute to tackling key problems related to the mental health of people
globally? What makes this congress unique is its
imperative focus on innovation: New ideas, new discoveries, new ways of
implementing advances and new technological solutions are all fundamental to
the work of modern 21st century psychiatry. The WPA Thematic Congress will intensify its
emphasis on all relevant areas of psychiatric research including all mental
disorders in order to develop the innovative progress in diagnosis, treatment
and scientific research." Peter
Falkai
Germany
|
 | “Psychiatrists
from around the globe will be exposed to the shared worldwide knowledge about
effective interventions for actually needed innovation in our field. By
presenting evidence and allowing comprehensive discussions through innovative
formats this WPA Thematic Congress will allow us to take away the tools for
real changes.” Univ. Prof. Dr. Michaela Amering Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy
Medical University of Vienna |

| “This
opportunity is not to be missed! I am very much looking forward to the
WPA Thematic Congress 2018 in Melbourne Australia with its theme of Innovation
in Psychiatry: Effective interventions for health and society. Melbourne
is a great place to visit with much to see and fabulous dining and the program
is exciting and inspiring, exploring latest knowledge and practice in the area
of substance use and mental health. Not ‘more of the same’, it will very
much be real sharing and learning from colleagues from across the world about
how to impact and change the lives of those in our community.” A/Prof Yvonne Bonomo MBBS FRACP PhD FAChAM
Physician in Addiction Medicine & Adolescent Medicine
Director, Department of Addiction Medicine St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne |
/why-attend-wpatc-2018/Oye%20Gureje.jpg)
| "As we set out on the exciting journey towards the Sustainable Development Goals, in which the achievement of universal health coverage and, specifically, a focus on expanding mental health service, are highlighted, there is a need to explore and utilize innovative approaches to delivering mental health care. The evidence in recent years suggests that innovations for such care are coming from diverse sources, including from settings in low- and middle-income countries. The WPA meeting in Melbourne provides a unique opportunity to share and learn about these innovations, with the potential for creating a ripple effect for the benefit of service users and their careers everywhere." Oye Gureje, Professor and Director WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health, Neuroscience and Substance Abuse Department of Psychiatry University of Ibadan, Nigeria |
/why-attend-wpatc-2018/Vikram%20Patel.jpg)
| "Addressing the global burden of mental disorders requires an innovative approach which builds on the knowledge of the determinants of mental health and how mental disorders can be prevented and treated in the global context. This congress offers a unique opportunity for mental health professionals to share their experiences and learn from each other".
Vikram Patel, Pershing Square Professor of Global Health and Wellcome Trust Principal ReIsearch Fellow, Department of Global Health and Social Medicine, Harvard Medical School.
Professor, Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Co-founder and Member of Managing Committee, Sangath, Goa, India Adjunct Professor and Joint Director, Centre for Chronic Conditions and Injuries, Public Health Foundation of India, India Honorary Professor, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, UK |
/why-attend-wpatc-2018/Norman%20Sartorius.jpg)
| "Evidence from many countries demonstrates that the paradigms of psychiatry formulated in the late twentieth century - including task shifting, provision of care in the community, de- hospitalization of the mentally ill and other measures – cannot deal with the ever increasing needs for mental health care. New ways of organizing support to people with mental illness and their families as well as health services which should help them will have to be invented and tested: in preparation for this it is vital that leaders of psychiatry present the innovations which they have developed so that these can be tried out in many settings and if found to be useful introduced on a wide scale. The Melbourne meeting is focusing on presenting innovations in health care and in thinking about mental health and is therefore a key step in the process that will make it possible to introduce new ways of working in psychiatry worldwide."
Norman Sartorius, MD, PhD, FRCPsych. President, Association for the Improvement of Mental Health Programmes (AMH) |