WPA Medical Students Essay Competition 2026 Winners Announced

The World Psychiatric Association (WPA) is pleased to announce the winners of the 5th Annual Medical Students Essay Competition. This initiative is supported by the United Nations Secretariat – Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Division for Sustainable Development Goals, and the WPA Medical Student Special Interest Group.

This year’s theme, “Partnerships for SDGs in the Implementation of Science-Based Preventive Methods to Improve Global Mental Health,” invited medical students from around the world to submit essays proposing innovative ways to advance mental well-being by strengthening partnerships across various sectors, in alignment with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 17.

Submissions were received from 111 medical schools across 48 countries spanning six continents, showcasing a truly global perspective on mental health. This is the highest number of countries ever represented in the WPA Medical Student Essay Competition.

The selection process was rigorous and followed an adapted version of the Harvard Crimson Global Essay Competition (HCGEC) criteria, which assess focus, academic rigor, structure, clarity, originality, and the ability to synthesize complex information. In addition, all finalist essays were screened for the use of artificial intelligence.

The judging panel included WPA zonal representatives, WPA Medical Student SIG members, and distinguished international faculty members: Chawanun Charnsil, Vinay Kumar, Amine Larnout, Ramune Mazaliauskene, Nikolay Negay, Bernardo Ng, Thelma Sanchez, Johannes Wancata, Khalid Bazaid, Nazish Imran, Lamia Jouini, Anusha Lachman, and Lorin Scher. The panel also included Muhammad Waqar Azeem, Chair of the WPA Medical Student Special Interest Group; Howard Liu, Co-Chair of the WPA Medical Student Special Interest Group; and Danuta Wasserman, President of the WPA.

The judging panel was deeply impressed by the innovative approaches and comprehensive analyses presented in the essays. The submissions demonstrated a profound understanding of how mental health intersects with the objectives of United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 17. The global interest in competition underscores the critical need to integrate mental health into broader discussions on sustainable development, highlighting its essential role in achieving a healthier and more equitable world.

We would like to extend our congratulations to the 11 finalists, whose exceptional essays made this competition a true celebration of intellectual and literary excellence (listed in alphabetical order by surname):

• Kevin Bernal, a fourth-year medical student at Universidad Interamericana de Panamá, Panama City, Panama
• Altemia Haule, a third-year medical student at Collegium Medicum, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Bydgoszcz, Poland
• Ali Houry, a first-year medical student at the University of Balamand, Kalhat, Lebanon
• Evan Kapasakis, a fifth-year medical student at the University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
• Christine Kim, a third-year medical student at Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
• Timothy Mabuku, a fourth-year medical student at Mulungushi University, Livingstone, Zambia
• Ahmedh Aaqil Rifky, a fourth-year medical student at the Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka
• Khansa Sadiya, a second-year medical student at Deccan College of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, India
• Towhidur Rahman Sakib, a second-year medical student at Army Medical College Bogura, Bangladesh
• Smarika Subedi, a fourth-year medical student at Fatima Jinnah Medical University, Lahore, Pakistan
• Jennifer Toro, a sixth-year medical student at Universidad Señor de Sipán, Chiclayo, Peru

After careful deliberation, the winners of the 2026 WPA Medical Students Essay Competition are
Christine Kim from Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA, and
Ali Houry from the University of Balamand, Kalhat, Lebanon.

Both winners will receive travel awards and complimentary registration to attend the 2026 World Congress of Psychiatry (WCP) in Stockholm, taking place from September 23–26, 2026. Their winning essays will be translated into all six official WHO languages—Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish—and featured on the WPA website.

The WPA proudly recognises the insight and leadership demonstrated by these future healthcare professionals. Their essays underscore the critical links between inclusion, equity, and mental health, cornerstones of building resilient and sustainable communities worldwide.

We extend our sincere thanks to all who participated and shared their perspectives. We also invite the public to follow the upcoming World Congress of Psychiatry, where these winning ideas will take center stage.