(MENAFN- Gulf Times)
Awareness of biological explanations for mental health problems can help to de-stigmatise mental illness in the community, according to Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) senior consultant psychiatrist, Dr Suhaila Ghuloum.
Speaking at the recently held Qatar International Psychiatry Conference, Dr Ghuloum said:"There is significant literature that provides scientific evidence to suggest there are biological factors implicated in a wide variety of illnesses, including depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, and raising awareness of this may go some way toward removing the stigma associated with these and other mental illnesses seen in Qatar."
The conference, which focused on the science behind psychiatry and the latest developments in the field, was hosted by HMC's Psychiatry Department, and included international guest speakers from the UK, the US, Australia, and Europe, who spoke on scientific rationalisations related to a number of mental health topics, including schizophrenia, depression, hallucinations, and novel approaches to their treatments, and the role genetics play in mental illnesses.
The conference has become an important professional development opportunity for many mental health care professionals, according to Dr Ghuloum.
"The conference highlights the science that underpins clinical practice, and provides updates on the latest developments in the rapidly developing fields of neuroscience, genetics, behavioural and clinical science and therapeutics," said HMC chairman of Psychiatry Department Professor Peter Woodruff.
"Mental health has become a prominent healthcare topic in Qatar following the introduction of the Supreme Council of Health's Mental Health Strategy in 2013, and dialogues such that this conference presents are important in further developing industry practices in the country by creating a platform for experts to share their knowledge and experiences," added Professor Woodruff.
The experts at this year's conference included scientists, researchers, clinical psychiatrists and other mental health professionals. Many of the topics during the conference were on common global mental health issues, and a number of oral presentations focused on the Gulf region.
Over 20 research abstracts were on display throughout the conference, detailing a number of local and regional studies.
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