VALLETTA - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Lecturer / Department of Mental Health - Faculty of Health Sciences
Before joining the University of Malta's Department of Mental Health within the Faculty of Health Sciences, Dr Sammut had a career in the public sector as a Deputy Charge Nurse with the Maltese Mental Health Services. He holds both general and mental health nursing qualifications and has worked in a variety of mental health settings. Dr Sammut has completed his PhD in Mental Health Nursing with Kingston University and St Georges University of London under the supervision of Professor Mary Chambers.
Dr. Sammut has presented in several local and International Conferences and also acts as a reviewer for the Malta Journal of Health Sciences and Quality of Life Research journal. He is the coordinator of the BSc. Mental Health Nursing Part Time course and is also actively involved in several projects including the national mental health awareness campaign #STOPSTIGMA.
Dr Sammut is an elected board member of Horatio, European Psychiatric Nurses, representing psychiatric and mental health nurses across Europe and the Vice-President of the Maltese Association of Psychiatric Nurses (MAPN). He is actively involved with several European research studies on attitudes towards mental illness and also implementation of quality measure tools.
Dr Florentina Rafael is a researcher in public health and Interventional Epidemiology. She worked for more than seven years on stigma related to health-issues.
She worked at the WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training in Mental Health (WHOCC) /EPSM Lille métropole, Lille, France, where she was an Assistant Director for two years.
She gained a very good knowledge in mental health policy assisting the Director, Prof. Jean-Luc Roelandt, with the implementation of action plans and programs related to mental health. She also coordinated the mental health peer support workers program, a first in France.
She contributed to the publication of a book on recovery in mental health in France, written by carers, researchers and users of mental health services in 2015. She is also a regular reviewer of scientific journals in the field of mental health and public health.
Job Titles:
- FRCPsych FRANZCP / Liverpool Hospital
Dr Carmelo Aquilina is the Clinical Director of Older People's Mental Health South West Sydney Local Health District.
He graduated from the University of Malta in 1986 and started his psychiatric training in Liverpool in the UK in 1988 and started advanced training as an old age psychiatrist in London in 1992.
He has worked as a Consultant in the UK in 1997 and New Zealand before coming to Australia in 2008. He has served on the Executive Committee of the Faculty of Old Age Psychiatry of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (UK) for 10 years from 1993 to 2003 and founded and edited its newsletter.
He was FPOA NSW Chair from 2013-2015. His academic interests include dementia, ethics, and health economics, the effects of air travel on cognition and self-neglect in old age.
Joseph is Chief Consultant and Head of the Department of Family Medicine, Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH) in Sagamu.
He is Chairman, Medical and Dental Consultants Association of Nigeria (MDCAN) OOUTH Chapter and Southwest Zonal Coordinator for the Diploma Programme, Faculty of Family Medicine, National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria (NPMCN).
He is Vice-chair African Region of the Wonca Working Party on Mental Health (WWPMH), and immediate past Secretary, WWPMH.
He is past Faculty Secretary (NPMCN) and Internal Assessor (Fellowship examinations), NPMCN. He is past vice-president of the Society of Family Physicians of Nigeria and past Secretary WWPMH. His research interests are improving access to quality mental health care in primary care settings, prevention of maternal mortality in primary care and assessment of quality of services in primary care. facilities.
A native of Texas, Rahn Kennedy Bailey received his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. He completed his residency in General Psychiatry at the University of Texas at Houston, Texas Medical Center Affiliated Hospital, where he was chief resident. He completed a fellowship in forensic psychiatry in Yale University's Department of Psychiatry in New Haven, Connecticut.
Dr. Bailey is board certified in general and forensic psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. He is a diplomat of the American Board of Forensic Medicine. He is currently Chairman of Membership for the American Psychiatric Association (APA) expanding membership and diversity. He has served as President and member of the board of trustees of the National Medical Association (NMA), (2012-13), which represented over 40,000 African American physicians in the United States.
A nationally known clinician specializing in inpatient care, medical education, research and forensic evaluations, Dr. Bailey has extensive experience creating and overseeing community-based programs. He has over 50 peer reviewed publications, 45 Academic Grand Rounds and four book chapters published, 1 book entitled "A Doctor's Prescription for Healthcare Reform," and is expecting the release of his new book entitled "At Gunpoint: Firearm Violence In America from a Forensic Psychiatrist's Perspective" by Summer 2018.
In addition he has cared for the traditionally underserved patients with complex medical and psychiatric co-morbidities and conducted health disparities research.
Dr Dan Chisholm is Programme Manager for Mental Health at the WHO Regional Office for Europe (based in Copenhagen, Denmark). He works with WHO Member States and other partners to develop and implement national mental health policies and plans, as well as provide guidance, tools and advocacy for the promotion of mental health and the development of prevention, treatment and recovery services across the life-course.
He was formerly a Health Systems Adviser in the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse at WHO Headquarters Office in Geneva, Switzerland. His main areas of work there included development and monitoring of global mental health plans and activities, technical assistance to WHO Member States on mental health system strengthening, and analysis of the costs and cost-effectiveness of strategies for reducing the global burden of mental disorders and other non-communicable diseases.
He has published widely in these areas over the last twenty years, including the Lancet's series' on global mental health and the mental, neurological and substance use disorders Volume of the third edition of Disease Control Priorities (DCP-3).
Dr Clarke is President of the Psychophysiologic Disorders Association and Clinical Assistant Professor of Gastroenterology Emeritus at Oregon Health & Science University.
He is also a Faculty Associate at Arizona State University and at the Cummings Graduate Institute. During 25 years in practice he diagnosed and treated over 7000 patients with Bodily Distress Syndrome.
His book They Can't Find Anything Wrong! was praised by a president of the American Psychosomatic Society as "truly remarkable." Currently he teaches health care professionals across North America and Europe. He has been a visiting professor at the Royal Children's Hospital in Brisbane, Australia and at Oxford University in Oxford UK. He has appeared on over 100 television and radio broadcasts.
Dr. Anton Grech was born on 16 November 1967 in Gozo, Malta. He graduated as Doctor of Medicine from the University of Malta in 1992. He became a Member of the Royal college of Psychiatrists, UK, in 1997, and he became a Fellow of the same college in 2011.
In 1999 he obtained an M.Sc. in Psychiatry from King's College, University of London. He trained and worked at the Maudsley Hospital in London, between 1994 and 1998. During 1998 he was also a Clinical-Academic Lecturer in the Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College, University of London. Between 1999 and 2002 he was Honorary Researcher within the same Department. In 1999 he proceeded to Malta, where he was Senior Registrar in Psychiatry until 2003, when he was appointed Consultant Psychiatrist with a special interest in Addictions and Neuropsychiatry.
In 2000 he was appointed Lecturer in Department of Psychiatry of the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery of the University of Malta, and in 2008 he was appointed as Senior Lecturer within the same Department.
In 2011 he was appointed as Senior Research Fellow in the Bedfordshire Centre for Mental Health Research in association with the University of Cambridge, United Kingdom. In 2011 he was also appointed as Clinical Chairman of the Department of Psychiatry in the Ministry of Health, Malta. His main research is on the aetiology of schizophrenia, and it was based at the Institute of Psychiatry London and at the University of Malta. He has published in international psychiatric journals, and presented and chaired in international psychiatric conferences.
In 2008 he was chosen as one of the 30 European Scientists to be featured in the book ‘Portraits of Science; Scientists of Tomorrow', published by the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations, to commemorate its 30 th anniversary.
In 2013 he was appointed Chairman of 'Fundazzjoni Kenn Ghal Sahhtek', a foundation in collaboration between Community Chest Fund and the Government of Malta. He is a member of various national boards and commissions. He believes a lot in using the media to educate on mental health, and for the last years in Malta he conducted radio and TV programmes on issues related to mental health.
Dr. Afzal Javed is a Consultant Psychiatrist and Honorary Clinical Associate Teacher at Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick UK. He also holds the honorary position of Chairman Pakistan Psychiatric Research Centre, Fountain House, Lahore (Pakistan).
He graduated from King Edward Medical College Lahore, Pakistan and received higher specialised training in Psychiatry from Pakistan and UK (from Royal Edinburgh Hospital, University of Edinburgh and Institute of Psychiatry & Maudsley Hospital London).
He has served the UK Royal College of Psychiatrists as Deputy / Associate Registrar, member Board of International Affairs of the College, Chairman of West Midlands Division of the College & one of the lead College office bearers for SAS doctors & Patients & Carers groups.
He was also elected as executive committee member of the College Faculty of Rehabilitation and Social Psychiatry & represents the faculty at Education and Training Committee of the College.
Nick is a Maltese Family Medicine trainee in Glasgow. Having gone to medical school in Malta, he wanted to explore different health systems, and has therefore been working in various parts of the UK for the last 5 years. He currently serves as Treasurer and Executive Member with the Vasco da Gama Movement within WONCA Europe, a movement of young doctors who are passionate about the future of family medicine.
Nick's main interests lie in health disparities and providing a congruent service combining health and social care, with minority groups and people of low socioeconomic status particularly in mind. It is for this reason that he is following the path of family medicine, as well as having undertaken a Masters in Medical Anthropology.
As part of his Masters, he did an ethnographic project looking at attitudes of doctors towards patients of different backgrounds through their interactions, and in the future hopes to undertake research looking at difficulties of access to healthcare, focusing on how socioeconomic factors restrict access.
Family Physician. Specialist in Family and Community Medicine
Job Titles:
- GP Trainee, Bart 's Health NHS Trust
I'm Naeem, a junior doctor from born, raised and now working in east London. I am currently a GP ST1 and have a keen interest in the delivery of primary care with particular emphasis on the role that general practitioners can adopt in providing support for patients with mental health illness.
Dr. Aishath Ali Naaz is a clinical psychologist, gang specialist, life coach, lecturer, author and a pioneer in the field of psychology in the Maldives. She obtained a doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of Manchester, UK and an M.Phil in Clinical Psychology from the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuroscience (NIMHANS), India.
Dr. Naaz is also the founder and chairperson of Maldives Institute of Psychological Services, Training and Research (MIPSTAR), which is the first specialist psychological center providing psychological services in Maldives. She has travelled to many islands across the country and conducted mental health trainings, workshops and various awareness programs on topics such as preventing gang, domestic, sexual and drug related violence; parenting, communication and life skills, understanding mental illness and preventing drug abuse. She also has led and conducted free mental health camps and a series of workshops for Atoll Schools.
Dr.Naaz served the Government of Maldives from 1999 to 2005 in various positions. She was a member of the first Human Rights Commission of the Maldives and has contributed in formulation of many laws and regulations in the country. Moreover, being a certified international gang specialist trainer, she has carried out community rehabilitation of several gang members. Dr.Naaz, has written many research papers and presented her work in many national and international conferences and workshops. She has also written five novels on various psycho-social issues, three of which received national awards for fictional novel writing.
Dr.Naaz received multiple national awards including the Most Popular Women's Award in 2014. She is the proud recipient of the National Award of Encouragement for developing psychology and the field of mental health in Maldives by the President of the Maldives.
Dr Mariana Pinto da Costa is a portuguese psychiatrist. She studied Medicine and did her psychiatry training in Porto. She did an International Master on Mental Health Policy and Services at the New University of Lisbon supported by the World Health Organization (WHO), through which she had clinical and research experience in Africa, screening alcohol, smoking and other substances involvement, in primary and mental health care users in Luanda.
She is past president of the European Federation of Psychiatric trainees (EFPT), and has been the Principal Investigator and study manager of the Brain Drain Study, researching mobility experiences of psychiatric trainees in 33 European countries.
Currently she is the Chair of the Early Career Psychiatrists Section at the World Psychiatric Association, Co-Chair of the Early Career Psychiatrists Committee at the European Psychiatric Association, and a doctoral research fellow at the Unit for Social and Community Psychiatry, WHO Collaborating Centre for Mental Health Services Development, at Queen Mary University of London, where she is doing research on volunteering in mental health, studying the social relationships between people with psychosis and volunteers in 3 European countries and through different formats (face-to-face or using digitally).
Graduated from Nova Medical School in Lisbon in 2010, started his Family Practice residency in 2012 on USF São João Evangelista dos Lóios, finishing in 2016.
Dr Saxena is a psychiatrist by training, working at World Health Organization as the Director of the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse since 2010.
His responsibilities include providing advice and technical assistance to policy makers on prevention and management of mental, developmental, neurological and substance use disorders and suicide prevention.
His work also involves establishing partnerships with academic centres and professional and civil society organizations. He is currently responsible for implementing the Comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan 2013-2018 adopted by 194 countries in 2013.
He has authored more than 300 scientific papers including in high impact journals. He was co-editor of Lancet Series on Global Mental Health 2007 and 2011.
Rachel is a Foundation Year Two doctor, currently working in family practice in North East London. She graduated from Leeds Medical School in 2017, after completing her medical degree, and also her BSc in Cardiovascular Science.
She has a keen interest in the delivery of primary care health services to those with poor mental health, and is currently working on project expected to both highlight current disparities and identify methods of care delivery improvement.
After Harvard College and Mount Sinai medical school, Dr. Stern did psychiatry training at Cornell and a neuropathology research fellowship at the University of Vermont.
In addition to his work with patients in crisis intervention, homeless outreach and other arenas, he has been involved with the dialogue between religion and psychology for many years.
Currently works as the Consultant to the Senate Committee on Health, a position she has held since December 2015. She was The Special Adviser on Health Monitoring to the Governor of Delta State from 2011-2015. She is also an Associate Professor in Family Medicine University of Saskatchewan College of Medicine, Saskatchewan, Canada and active family physician in Canada with special interest in Public Health and Infectious Diseases.
Dr. Rukevwe received her MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery) from the University of Benin with honors and graduated as the Best Student in Medicine final MBBS examinations in 1992. She obtained her full registration with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria in 1995.
Dr. Rukevwe attended the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medical LSHTM) UK in 1995 where she received the Langley Memorial Prize for the Best Master's Thesis. She was awarded the diploma of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (DTM&H) by the Royal College of Physicians of London (UK) in 1996.
Dr. Rukevwe obtained full registration with the General Medical Council United Kingdom in 2000, and became a member of the Royal College of General Practitioners in 2006, and also holds the equivalent in Canada CCFP (Certificant of the College of Family Physicians of Canada).
Job Titles:
- Mental Health Specialist ( Psychiatrist )
Job Titles:
- GP Trainee, Bart 's Health NHS Trust
Job Titles:
- FRCPsych FRANZCP / Liverpool Hospital
Job Titles:
- Community Psychiatric Nurse
Pierre Galea is a community psychiatric nurse. He has been working as a registered mental health nurse for the past 20 years. During this time he has worked in different mental health settings across Malta and the U.K. including in-patient settings, community mental health, crisis and liaison psychiatry and rehabilitation.
He has completed a degree in Community Mental Health at Oxford Brookes University and worked as a community psychiatric nurse with the Oxfordshire Community Mental Health Team, the Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment team and the Department of Psychological Medicine at the Warneford and J.R. Hospitals in Oxford, U.K.
In 2013 he completed a Master of Science in Mental Health Nursing were he based his research on the role of the Community Psychiatric Nurse in Malta. He currently works as a community psychiatric nurse with the Mental Health Services and is the team leader of a community mental health team. He is also a visiting lecturer at the Department of Mental Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Malta.
Pierre Galea is the president of the Maltese Association of Psychiatric Nurses and led the development and launch of the standards for mental health nurses in Malta.
Job Titles:
- Psychiatric Nurse / Maltese Association of Psychiatric Nurses
Kevin obtained his diploma in Psychiatric Nursing in the year 2000. Subsequently he completed a B.Sc (Hons) in Psychiatric Nursing in 2006 with a qualitative Thesis entitled ‘The impact of media stigmatization on patients' perceptions of their mental illness'. In 2011 Kevin obtained an M.Sc in Health Service Management with a thesis focusing on the perspectives of the multidisciplinary team in relation to ‘risk factors leading to re-admission of patients to the acute psychiatric hospital'. Kevin worked in various acute settings in the Psychiatric Hospital, particularly at the Mixed Admission Ward where he worked for 11 years. He was also team leader of the Crisis Intervention Team and Outreach Services. Since 2015, Kevin has been part of the Practice Development Team at Mount Carmel Hospital and was recently appointed as Practice Development Nurse.
Kevin was instrumental in the setting up and launching of the Maltese Association of Psychiatric Nurses. In fact he served as President of MAPN for 10 years, from the association's inception in 2006 till 2016. He also set on the board of the HORATIO - European Psychiatric Nurses Association representing Maltese Psychiatric Nurses from 2008 till 2013.
Throughout the years Kevin has established his reputation in organising large scale national and international conferences, particularly by chairing the organisation committee of 3 international Festivals of Psychiatric Nursing in 2008, 2014 and 2017, which festival attracted hundreds of speakers and delegates from all over the world. He presented papers on various subjects related to Psychiatry both in national and international events.
Poppy is also the CEO of the City Mental Health Alliance (CMHA), a coalition of City businesses working to increase understanding of mental health issues and to create a culture of good mental health in the City.
She is a non-executive director (NED), on the board of Public Health England (PHE) advising the board on public mental health and community development.
In her role as an NED she is also the PHE lead on Diversity and Staff Inclusion. In addition, Poppy sits on the board of The Diversity Recruitment Institute of Value and Excellence (DRIVE) as a mental health advisor.
Over her career, Poppy has worked in a number of roles which have required her to challenge the public's perception of mental ill health. Through her diverse networks and non-executive board positions, she has played an instrumental part in making mental health a high priority for public and private sector employers. In the 2018 New Year's Honours Poppy was awarded and OBE in recognition of her services to people with mental health issues. An accomplished and skilled communicator, Poppy presents at high profile conferences and events and regularly contributes to national media interviews, both print and broadcast.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Advocacy Committee
- Co - Chair )
Job Titles:
- Senior Journalist and Newscaster / Co - Founder, Gazelle Media Communications
Ljiljana is a senior communications and engagement specialist with 20 years experience in a variety of organisations - the NHS, voluntary sector and international development.
Ljiljana worked for a number of years as Senior Digital Communications and Engagement Manager at East London NHS Foundation Trust. Currently, Ljiljana works for West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust.
Ljiljana is also an Associate of NHS Elect where she is supporting the marketing and communications at the NHS Elect, Acute Frailty and Ambulatory Emergency Care Networks.
Ljiljana is focused on delivery strategic communications, stakeholder relationship management and engagement. She is experienced in developing and implementing digital communications strategies that support the delivery of organisational business objectives. She is also passionate about international development work.
Ljiljana is also has a special interest in internal communications and employee engagement and developing a comprehensive framework for two-way employee communications, ensuring engagement and dialogue. Ljiljana has a Bachelor or Arts in English from Sarajevo University and a Master of Arts in English degree from Exeter University.
Peter Maeck is a writer, photographer, teacher, and speaker. His plays and dance scenarios, including for Pilobolus and MOMIX Dance Theatres, have been produced in many countries. Peter served as a U.S. State Department Cultural Specialist in Tanzania and Morocco.
He has created educational programs for corporations worldwide. His photographs are in private collections and international galleries. Peter has a BA in English from Dartmouth College and an MFA in Playwriting from Brandeis University.
In "Remembrance of Things Present: Making Peace With Dementia" Peter combines poetry and photography to celebrate his father's brave, good-humored experience with Alzheimer's Disease, while tracking his own journey from despair to ultimate embrace of his father's condition. Peter has presented "Remembrance" at the WFMH World Congress in New Delhi, India; the WPA World Congress and the European Conference on Mental Health in Berlin, Germany; the Royal College of Psychiatrists in London, UK; the RANZCP Annual Conference in Tauranga, NZ; the International Neuropsychiatric Association Conference in Bengaluru, India; the National Conference of the Indian Psychiatric Society in Ranchi, India; the International Child & Adult Behavioral Health Conference in Abu Dhabi, UAE; the American Association of Geriatric Psychiatry in Honolulu, Hawaii; the Alzheimer's and Dementia Friendly Cruise & Conference to Alaska; and at multiple TEDx events worldwide.
With Trijog, a mental health service provider in Mumbai, India, Peter is creating a book of prose, poetry, and photographs revealing diverse attitudes toward mental health counseling in India, toward addressing and reducing the stigma too often attached to it.
Professor Dinesh Bhugra CBE is Emeritus Professor of Mental Health and Cultural Diversity at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience at King's College London.
He was President of the World Psychiatric Association from 2014-2017 and in 2017 became President-Elect of the British Medical Association.
The three foci for Di Nicola's work are children, culture and families which he has explored with his call for Transcultural Child Psychiatry, his model of Cultural Family Therapy (Di Nicola, A Stranger in the Family: Culture, Families, and Therapy, New York: W.W. Norton, 1997), and Global Mental Health with migrants and refugees in community settings in Montreal, Brazil and Haiti (see his chapter in E. Sorel, 21st Global Mental Health, 2012).
Prof. Edwards is Director of the Marital and Family Therapy program at the University of San Diego, USA.
His primary clinical and research interests are collaboration between family therapists and primary care physicians, integrating family therapy into medical settings, family therapy training, refugee mental health, and friendship in adulthood.
Prof. Edwards' most recent book is entitled Essential Skills in Family Therapy, 3rd edition (Guilford, 2018). In addition to his work at USD, he is a Voluntary Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Family Medicine and Public Health at the University of California, San Diego and a family therapist in private practice.
He is a Clinical Member and Approved Supervisor in the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy.
Job Titles:
- Member of the International Committee
- Co - Chair )
- MBBS, Hon DMedSc ( Melb ) World Psychiatric Association
Dr Roy Abraham Kallivayalil is Vice- Principal and Professor & Head, Department of Psychiatry, Pushpagiri Institute of Medical Sciences, Thiruvalla, Kerala, India. He is the Secretary General of the World Psychiatric Association, Geneva (2014-2020). He is also President of World Association for Social Psychiatry, Paris (2016-19) and President of the National Alliance for Mental Health, India.
He was Chairman, WPA Preventive Psychiatry Section (2011-14), Secretary General of the World Association for Social Psychiatry (2010-13), President of the Indian Association for Social Psychiatry (2007-08 and 2010-11), General Secretary (2002-06) and President of Indian Psychiatric Society (2012-13), founder Secretary General of the SAARC Psychiatric Federation (2014-16) and Associate Editor, Indian Journal of Psychiatry (2007-11) and National Vice-President, Indian Medical Association (2016-17).
He was Principal of Ernakulam Medical College, Kochi, India and Professor and Head of Psychiatry at Thrissur and Kottayam Govt. Medical Colleges. He was also Chairman Board of Examiners, Member, Board of Studies and Member, Faculty of Medicine of the Cochin University of Science and Technology and Member of the Senate of Mahatma Gandhi University. In 2007, Govt of Kerala honoured him with the ‘Best Doctor Award'.
He is Member of the Editorial Board of ‘World Psychiatry' (the Journal with the highest impact factor) and the International Journal of Person-Centered Medicine, International Advisor of the Japanese Society of Psychiatry and Neurology (2017-19) and International Distinguished Fellow of American Psychiatric Association since 2013.
He has more than 50 publications in peer reviewed scientific Journals and has edited the book "Suicide Prevention- a handbook for Community Gatekeepers". President of India presented him with the World Federation of Mental Health (WFMH) Award for meritorious services to the cause of Mental Health in 2017.
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Host Organising Committee
Professor Kolkiewicz is an experienced innovative psychiatrist who has held a range of positions including Associate Medical Director for Recovery and Well-Being, Trust Advisor Recovery and Rehabilitation and Associate Clinical Director Forensic Services, Centre for Forensic Mental Health at East London NHS Foundation Trust, Consultant General Adult & Rehabilitation Psychiatrist at Camden & Islington CHS NHS Trust, London.
Professor Kolkiewicz has supported mental health rehabilitation pathway re-design in general and forensic services and has experience of collaborative working with the third sector and Local Government Authorities to get the best for service users, their families and carers though a holistic approach. She is a mental health advocate and a specialist in supporting and developing mental health literacy at a community level.
Professor Kolkiewicz is a Life Member of the World Federation for Mental Health, has supported primary care transformation globally as a member of the Member of World Association of Family Doctors (Wonca) through her contribution to the 2008 WHO/Wonca publication Integrating Mental Health into Primary Care: A Global Perspective, is a Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists and an International Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association.
As an advocate for mental health recovery she supports the empowerment of people with mental ill health, their families and carers to work towards realising their dreams and aspirations for independence and social inclusion.
He currently co-ordinates a thriving GP network with more than 20 GPs, and is also responsible for the supervision of a number of PhD students. Since 2009, Christos has co-ordinated the Primary Health Care Unit of the city of Heraklion, and since 2016 is the Coordinator of the residency training programme of General Practice for the island of Crete.
Christos and his research team at the University of Crete, are involved in four FP7 European funded projects (one as coordinator), in two Third Health Programme for the Union's action in the field of health 2014-2020 - CHAFEA and in one HORIZON 2020. Christos is involved in an editorial and advisory capacity with a number of international journals. Christos is also a member of the Executive Boards of various professional organizations including WONCA Working Party on Mental Health where is acting as Vice Chairman.
He has been awarded as Honorary Fellow for the Royal College of General Practitioners, WONCA and recently the European Society of Cardiology. Christos has published 328 papers in international journals (cited in PubMed).
Dr. Milev completed his medical degree in Sofia, Bulgaria in 1983, obtained Specialty of Psychiatry in Bulgaria, MRCPsych in England and FRCPC in Canada. Defended his PhD in Forensic Psychiatry. In 1995 he moved to Regina, Canada where he became Medical Director of the Mental Health Clinic. In 2001 he was appointed Clinical Director of the Mood Disorder Research and Treatment Service in Kingston. From 2007 untill 2017 he was the Head of Department of Psychiatry, and since 2017 Director of Centre for Neuroscience studies at Queen's University. Elected as Distinguished Fellow of both Canadian and American Psychiatric Associations.
He is actively involved in research in Depression, Bipolar Disorder, and other mental disorders. Main areas of his research include stigma and dealing with it, sleep architecture, psychopharmacological and rTMS treatments. Most recently a major focus of his research have been biomarkers in depression, as part of the CANBIND integrated discovery program.
Dr. Milev has over 80 peer reviewed publications and book chapters. He lead symposia, workshops and panel discussions at conferences and has presented numerous lectures to Psychiatrists, Family Physicians and other health professionals. Dr. Milev is involved actively in undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate teaching, including supervision of masters and PhD students. He has been involved with CANMAT guidelines for management of patients with Major Depressive Disorder and Bipolar Disorders. He has won several prizes and awards.
Job Titles:
- Professor of Psychiatry, Barbara and Corbin Robertson Jr. Endowed Chair for Personality Disorders / Baylor College of Medicine
He is also a Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, Edinburgh. Dr. Oldham is Editor of the Journal of Psychiatric Practice, Joint Editor-in-Chief of Borderline Personality Disorder and Emotion Dysregulation, and Editor of the Journal of Personality Disorders.
Job Titles:
- Vice - Chair
- General Practitioner, Croydon, South London, UK
Dr Henk Parmentier originates from the Netherlands and has been trained both in The Netherlands and in the UK where he finalised his GP training.
He is a practising London General Practitioner with a special interest in Mental Health, facilitating and conducting Primary Care research. He is a visiting Professor at the Medical School, Nova University, Lisbon, Portugal.
He is a member of the WONCA (World Organization of National Colleges, Academies and Academic Associations of General Practitioners/Family Physicians) Working Party on Mental Health, Board Member and Vice President for Europe of the WFMH (World Federation for Mental Health), He is also a founding member of the World Dignity Project, a charity that aims to reduce Mental Health stigma and discrimination, and an advisory board member of the EFPC (European Forum of Primary Care).
Job Titles:
- Member of the Scientific Committee
- Co - Chair )
Job Titles:
- Psychiatrist, Director of the WHO Collaborating Centre of Lille, France / World Health Organization
Professor Norman Sartorius, MD, MA, DPM, PhD, FRCPsych, obtained his MD in Zagreb (Croatia). He specialized in neurology and psychiatry and subsequently obtained a Master's Degree and a Doctorate in psychology (Ph.D).
He carried out clinical work and research and taught at graduate and postgraduate levels at the University of Zagreb, at the Institute of Psychiatry in London, at the University of Geneva and elsewhere.
Professor Sartorius joined the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1967 and was appointed Director of the Division of Mental Health of WHO in 1974. He was the principal investigator of several major international studies on schizophrenia, depression and of mental and neurological disorders. Subsequently Professor Sartorius was elected President of the World Psychiatric Association (WPA) and of the European Psychiatric Association.
Professor Sartorius is currently the President of the Association for the Improvement of Mental Health Programmes. Professor Sartorius holds professorial appointments at universities in different countries including China, UK and USA.
Professor Sartorius has published more than 400 articles in scientific journals, authored or co-authored twelve books and edited more than 80 others. Professor Sartorius is also an honorary fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists and holds several honorary doctorates. He speaks Croatian, English, French, German, Russian and Spanish.
Job Titles:
- Physician
- Global Health Leader
- Health Systems Performance Expert
At the George Washington University, in Washington, DC, Dr. Sorel is a Senior Scholar in the Center of Healthcare Innovations and Policy Research in the School of Medicine, the lead physician teaching Global Delivery - Health Systems and Global Mental Health. He is Clinical Professor of Global Health, Health Policy & Management and of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences. He is founder & chair of the Youth Democracy Forum at the Elliott School of International Affairs.
A practicing physician, Dr. Sorel works collaboratively with primary care and public health colleagues. The innovative, TOTAL Health approach, a primary care, mental health & public health collaborative integrated model was initiated by Dr. Sorel in 2013 as a means of enhancing quality, access, and sustainability of care. He was sworn-in by Mayor Muriel Bowser as a member of the District of Columbia Health Exchange Information Policy Board on March 17th 2016. He is the President of the 1st International Perinatal TOTAL Health Congress accessible at www.perinatal2018international.org. Dr. Sorel is the lead author of Healthcare, Including Mental Healthcare Is a Human Right. It is now American Psychiatric Association policy, adopted December 10th 2017.
He initiated and led the clinical public health research project on Depression & Comorbidity in Primary Care in China, India, Iran, Romania & Slovenia and the Global health systems performance comparisons between Africa, Asia/Pacific, Europe and the Americas.
Professor Thomas is a leading French Psychiatrist who is Head of the Department of Psychiatry at the School of Medicine in the University of Lille, France and also Head of the Department Psychiatry, Forensic Medicine at CHU of Lille France.
His research posts include Joint Director SCALab (Laboratory of Cognitive and Affective Sciences), UMR-CNRS 9193: Belief and Psychiatry and Président of the Scientific Council of Psychiatry Research Federation of Hauts de France
He is a Past President of the National Academic Collège of Psychiatry, President of the French Board on "suicide prevention," Mission « Health in Prison » France and General Secretary of National Congress of Psychiatry and Neurology.