Conference
28th Malaysian Conference of Psychological Medicine (MCPM)
President
Prof. Dr. Ahmad Hatim Sulaiman
President-elect & Chairperson of Organizing Committee
Dr. Mohd Fadzli Mohamad Isa
Honorary Secretary
Dr. Aili Hanim Hashim
Honorary Assistant Secretary
Dr. Noor Melissa Nor Hadi
Honorary Treasurer
Prof. Dr. Ng Chong Guan
Executive Secretary
Mr. Najmi Naim
Committee Members
Dr. Ahmad Rostam Md Zin
Prof. Dr. Nik Ruzyanei Nik Jaafar
Prof. Dr. Normala Ibrahim
Dr. Firdaus Dato’ Abdul Ghani
Dr. Ting Joe Hang
Dr. Aishah Siddiqah Alimuddin
Dr. Sivenanthini Purana Visvanathan
Mr. Rajinder Singh
Scientific Committee
Dr. Aili Hanim Hashim
Dr. Hafiz Norjan
Dr. Ng Boon Seng
Dr. Mervyn Ian Sim Peng Chow
Dr. Yuen Wai Chong
Dr. Mehul Kumar A/L Narendra Kumar
The 28th MCPM was held at Double Tree Hilton from October 12th to 13th, 2024. The conference was entirely physical and attended by 350 delegates from all over the country.
The theme “Embracing the Basics for the Future of Mental Health” was chosen to encourage participants to reflect on how foundational principles in psychiatry have guided past, present, and future practices and innovations.
In his opening speech, Prof Hatim spoke about:
‘The main objective of the annually held MCPM is to enhance continuing medical education; even though the 28th MCPM was not as big as last year’s PRCP World Congress, it is just as significant. The conference will be an ideal occasion to reconnect with colleagues and old friends while making new connections and engaging with experts in the field. International and local speakers will share their expertise and research data during the next two days. Delegates will hear cutting-edge perspectives and up-to-date knowledge in the field of mental health.’
Prof Hatim’s opening remarks set a positive tone. His emphasis on connection and knowledge-sharing highlights the conference’s role as a community hub for professionals to learn from each other. Prof Hatim then invited his former teacher, Prof Wolfgang Krahl to deliver the keynote address.
Prof Wolfgang Krahl thrilled the audience as he spoke in Bahasa Malaysia in the opening address, telling the delegates:
“Terima kasih kepada MPA kerana menjemput saya sebagai tetamu pada Persidangan perubatan psikologi Malaysia ke-dua puluh lapan. Saya amat berbesar hati dan saya gembira dapat bertemu dengan ramai bekas pelajar dan rakan sekerja saya. Saya menganggap Malaysia sebagai rumah kedua dan saya telah menetap di sini selama lebih kurang sembilan tahun. Anak-anak perempuan saya meluangkan zaman kanak-kanak mereka di Malaysia, kami sekeluarga mempunyai banyak kenangan indah.”
Prof Wolfgang Krahl’s keynote address, delivered in Bahasa Malaysia, undoubtedly resonated with attendees, especially given his extensive history in the country. His reflections on the evolution of mental health services provided valuable context and inspired delegates to ponder the progress made by the senior psychiatrists and the challenges ahead.
Prof Wolfgang Krahl is a psychiatrist from Germany. He first came to Malaysia in 1978 and worked at Hospital Bahagia as a young psychiatrist. Prof. Wolfgang worked at Hospital Bahagia for three and a half years. Then, he returned in 1992 as an Associate Professor at the Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Malaya, where he worked until 1997. His presence and keynote address resonated with the delegates who had known him for years. Prof. Wolfgang spoke about mental health services back in the early years when he first came to work in Malaysia.
In addition to the conference, Dr. Jenny Parameshvara Deva introduced the Prof. M. Parameshvara Deva Excellence Award, recognizing outstanding contributions to mental health. Prof. Wolfgang Krahl was named the first recipient during the opening ceremony.
Prof. M. Parameshvara Deva was a notable psychiatrist dedicated to community psychiatry and mental health rehabilitation. He was one of the founding members of the Malaysian Psychiatric Association (MPA), playing a pivotal role in its establishment.
Throughout his career, he served at the University of Malaya for many years, ultimately becoming the head of the Psychological Medicine Department from 1992 to 1998. Prof. Deva emphasized the importance of rehabilitation psychiatry and advocated for accessible mental health services. His expertise extended to his role as a mental health consultant for the World Health Organization, and he served as Past President of the World Association of Psychosocial Rehabilitation, advising health ministries in the Pacific Islands. His last position was as Professor of Psychiatry at Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman Kampar.
Prof. M. Parameshvara Deva passed away on August 2, 2022, at the age of 80, leaving a remarkable legacy in mental health. In honor of his contributions, Dr. Jenny Parameshvara Deva made a personal donation to establish an award recognizing psychiatrists who have made significant contributions to the field.
Prof. Deva had a long-standing friendship with Prof. Wolfgang Krahl, with whom he shared a deep interest in rehabilitation and community psychiatry. Their collaboration and shared vision significantly advanced the field and impacted many lives, particularly in developing nations.
The scientific committee aimed to effectively blend past experiences with future directions in mental health care, organising a diverse symposium program to provide a rich tapestry of insights. The scientific committee aimed to attract and encourage Malaysian psychiatrists to showcase their work and expertise.
The packed program was designed to inspire and educate delegates, featuring nine plenaries, twelve symposiums, 25 e-poster presentations, and a keynote address by Prof. Wolfgang Krahl. This dynamic agenda facilitated meaningful discussions and highlighted the innovative contributions of professionals in the field.
What were the highlights or key takeaways from the sessions?
The highlights of the 28th MCPM conference included a vibrant platform for Malaysian psychiatrists to showcase their work, with encouraging responses to the call for abstract submissions.
The symposiums and e-poster sessions featured presentations from psychiatrists, mental health professionals, and future psychiatrists, reflecting the growth and richness of local expertise. Each presenter conveyed enthusiasm and excitement about sharing their experiences, focusing on contextually relevant practices and innovative research.
These presentations emphasised the importance of local knowledge and creative solutions within the Malaysian mental health care landscape. By highlighting the invaluable work of mental health professionals at the grassroots level, the conference underscored the critical efforts of Malaysian psychiatrists in addressing mental health challenges. This recognition aims to elevate their role in their communities and inspire delegates to continue their essential work.
Another conference highlight was the vibrant buzz along the corridors, reflecting the delegates’ excitement. This annual atmosphere was not just about reconnecting with friends; it also represented a shared enthusiasm for the event’s enriching experiences. The lively discussions and exchanges among participants contributed to a sense of community and collaboration, enhancing the overall impact of the conference.
In recognition of the work done by particularly young psychiatrists, trainees and their encouraging supervisors, the MPA committee awarded the three best e-poster presentations:
- Wan Hanie Rasyida Wan Hisham, Raishan Shafini Bakar & Ahmad Shahril Ab Halim: Stress and Emotional Regulations Among Parents in relation to behaviour problems in children with ASD in Kelantan
- Nurliyana Dzulkarnain & Nora Mat Zin: The effect of mobile application (calm harm) in self-harm reduction among young adults in Sultan Ahmad Shah Medical Centre, Kuantan
- Chiou Jia Ooi, Chong Guan Ng, Tania Islam, Suniza Jamaris & Nur Aishah Taib: Depression Trajectories in Breast Cancer Patients: Insights from a Three-Year Study
Awards for e-poster presentations will provide a great platform to encourage more research, innovation, and teamwork.
Overall, the conference was a success! It boosted the central, organising, and scientific committee to continue offering Malaysian psychiatrists an environment to meet, catch up with friends, and remain in touch with current knowledge.
The conference was a fantastic opportunity for Malaysian psychiatrists to strengthen their professional community and stay updated on the latest advancements. Successes like this are invaluable for fostering ongoing collaboration, learning, and support among peers in the field. The atmosphere was wonderful for the central, organising, and scientific committees, as it inspired us to continue creating such impactful gatherings!
Scientific Committee of the 28th Malaysian Conference of Psychological Medicine 2024 managed to publish 75 abstracts in Medicine and Health, Vol. 19 No. 7 (Suppl) in December 2024. It can be accessed through the link provided here:
https://medicineandhealthukm.com/toc/19/7%20%28suppl%29
Lastly, our appreciation is stated below.
Prof Ahmad Hatim Sulaiman, Dr Fadzli M Isa and the central committee for trusting us to organise the conference. To Prof Ng Chong Guan, thank you for the guidance and for working tirelessly to meet the relevant needs.
Prof Wolfgang Krahl, thank you for accepting our invitation and gracing the 28th MCPM.
Dr Jenny Deva, thank you for your pleasant and fantastic donation.
To all the delegates who attended the 28th MCPM, see you again next year!
To the many pharmaceutical companies, we thank you for continuing to support us and the country’s mental health needs. Thank you for providing us with speakers who spoke well and whose topics were relevant to the conference theme.
Lastly, to my scientific and organising committee, especially my greatest gratitude to Mr Najmi Naim and Leia and her team from LE Events Sdn Bhd.
Reported by:
Dr Aili Hanim Hashim
Head of Scientific and Organizing Committee of 28th MCPM
Honorary Secretary 2022-2024
Malaysian Psychiatric Association
More photos can be viewed here:
