“Wars in the 21st Century: Mental Health Impacts, Intervention Strategies, and the Cost to Our Humanity” on June 5th at 9-12 AM CET time.

We are pleased to invite you to a webinar exploring the impact of contemporary conflicts on mental health, whether experienced directly, indirectly, or through exposure to differing perspectives within conflict settings.
We are two women from different continents—one from a country that has known over 80 years of peace, the other from a region shaped by ongoing conflict—who formed a close friendship through our encounters at WPA congresses. This shared yet contrasting perspective has inspired us to create a space for dialogue and reflection.
We are doing this with the support from the president of the World Psychiatric Association (WPA) - Danuta Wasserman, the WPA Section of Disaster Psychiatry, the WPA Geo Psychiatry Special Interest Group, and the WPA Advisory Committee on Response to Emergencies (ACRE)
This webinar has been developed in close collaboration with the WPA Secretary for Scientific Sections - Armen Soghoyan and the Secretary for Education and Scientific Publications - Norbert Skokauskas
This webinar will last for 3 hours: we know that it cannot resolve individual suffering or fully address the complexity of war’s impact, but it aims to provide a space for understanding and acknowledging diverse lived experiences.
The first two session will feature four representatives from two conflict-affected regions, who will share both their personal and professional experiences. Three are currently working within active war zones, and all are engaged in humanitarian organizations providing mental health support.
The third session will begin with a facilitated discussion among the speakers, guided by members of the WPA Disaster Psychiatry Section and ACRE. It will be followed by reflections from two professionals with longstanding experience in mental health work within the WPA and in conflict-affected settings.
While this webinar presents perspectives from one side of the conflict, this does not diminish the mental health impact experienced on the other side. We believe that listening to these testimonies is important for deepening our understanding and for shaping a more thoughtful shared future.

Josyan Madi-Skaff, M.D.; Immediate Past Chair –WPA / Women’s Mental Health Section; Josyan.madiskaff@gmail.com

Ann Faerden, M.D.; Ph.D. Past Chair – WPA / Public Policy and Psychiatry Section; Honorary member - WPA ann.farden@medisin.uio.no