A Message from the WPA President
With the successful conclusion of the World Psychiatric Association’s (WPA) 24th World Congress of Psychiatry (WCP24) in Mexico City, I would like to take a moment, on behalf of the Organising and Scientific Committees, to express our gratitude to all participants, contributors, and partners who made this year’s congress a resounding success.
A Theme to Inspire: “New Horizons for Good Mental Health for All”
14-17tth November 2024, WCP24 brought together over 3,674 attendees from 90 countries to explore the challenges and opportunities within psychiatry and mental health. Under the theme “New Horizons for Good Mental Health for All”, the Congress served as a platform to examine cutting-edge research, foster collaboration, and advocate for greater inclusivity in mental health care.
Our diverse programme featured over 148 sessions, 700 speakers, and 70 short Oral Poster sessions, reflecting the global breadth of expertise within the worldwide WPA community with 147 psychiatric associations and 250 000 members.
A Special Welcome from Mexico’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Professor de la Fuente
We were deeply honoured to have Professor Juan Ramón de la Fuente, Mexico’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Professor of Psychiatry and former Permanent Representative to the United Nations, deliver the Congress’s opening address. His extensive contributions to psychiatry, public health, and international governance brought invaluable insights to the event. In particular, his work and resolutions on “Secure mental health help to UN peacekeeping forces” and “Access to mental health care is a human right” have an enormous impact for the WPA and psychiatry in general.
The first resolution to secure mental health help to UN peacekeeping forces was approved by the UN Security Council. The resolution focuses on the importance of providing mental health and psychosocial support for personnel deployed in UN peace operations, including in Peacekeeping Operations and those working in Special Political Missions.
The second resolution of having access to mental health care is a human right was approved by the general assembly and will be followed up by the UN during their next General Assembly in 2025.
We are also incredibly grateful for the tireless efforts of the Mexican Psychiatric Association, whose dedication and hard work ensured that WCP24 was both a world-class scientific gathering and a vibrant celebration of mental health in the heart of Mexico City.
Celebrating Excellence in Psychiatry
WCP24 also celebrated the winners of the WPA 2024 Medical Student Essay Competition, which attracted entries from 41 countries and 93 universities. The students were invited to submit an essay of up to 3,000 words on the theme: "Improving Mental Health in the Global World Using the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals.” It is the same 17 UN goals that are the cornerstone of my Presidential Action Plan for the WPA.
The winners, Bahar Fazel from Iran and Vitor Santana from Brazil were honoured for their exceptional essays emphasising mental health as a cornerstone of sustainable development.
Guided by EDIT Principles
The WPA’s commitment to its EDIT principles – Equality, Development, Inclusion, and Transcultural awareness – was evident throughout WCP24. These guiding values shaped every aspect of the Congress, from the selection of abstracts and symposia chairs to the diversity of our speakers and topics.
WCP24 prioritised representation across genders, ethnicities, and under-represented groups, ensuring a Congress that reflected our collective mission to achieve equitable mental health care for all.
Looking Ahead
As we reflect on the rich discussions, groundbreaking research, and invaluable collaborations fostered during WCP24, we are reminded of the shared commitment that unites our global psychiatric community.
To our attendees, speakers, and partners: thank you for being part of this amazing event. Your participation not only enriched the Congress but also reinforced our collective resolve to champion “Good Mental Health for All.”
Let us carry the momentum of WCP24 into the year ahead, as we start preparations for our 25th World Congress of Psychiatry that will be held in Prague, Czech Republic between the 5-8th October 2025 in collaboration with the Czech Psychiatric Association and Slovak Psychiatric Association (SkMA).
Author: Prof. Danuta Wasserman, President, WPA