Psychiatry Congress highlights

Psychiatry Congress highlights

Monday 30 May 2011 The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists’ Congress runs until 2 June 2011 at the Darwin Convention Centre. The Congress brings together mental health experts in a diverse range of areas across cultures and age groups. Here are some highlights from today’s program; the full program is available at http://www.ranzcp2011.com/congress-program/.

Cannabis use and psychosis
International expert Prof Sir Robin Murray will present on the topic of cannabis use increasing the risk of psychosis. People diagnosed as having schizophrenia-like psychoses are more likely to use illicit drugs, particularly the amphetamines and cannabis, than those that do not. Among those with established psychosis, continued consumption of cannabis results in worse outcomes. Most importantly, nine studies have shown that regular use of cannabis by young people increases their risk of developing schizophrenia and other psychosis in a dose related manner. “Several factors have been suggested as increasing vulnerability to cannabis-induced psychosis including genetic susceptibility, having a psychosis prone personality, frequent use of high potency cannabis (eg. skunk, hydra) and starting use in early adolescence,” said Prof Sir Robin Murray. (3.30pm)

Mental health of doctors
Newly appointed chair of the World Medical Association and chair of beyondblue’s Doctors’ Mental Health Program Dr Mukesh Haikerwal will discuss the mental health of doctors. To support the medical profession who, more than other groups, do not seek healthcare and often suffer in silence with documented reports of high rates of depression, anxiety disorders, substance and even suicide beyondblue has developed the beyondblue Doctors’ Mental Health Program. “The program aims to increase awareness of symptoms of depression and anxiety, identify risk factors for depression and anxiety disorders, reduce barriers to help-seeking and promote existing services and supports for medical practitioners who have a higher suicide rate than the general population and are unlikely to seek help for depression,” said Dr Haikerwal. (12pm)

Mental health of women who experience a traumatic childbirth
Women experiencing perinatal distress associated with a traumatic birth who receive counselling from midwives reported better mental health outcomes than those who only received parenting advice in a recent study of 1038 women. “Perinatal mental health initiatives have focused on the psychosocial assessment of women with limited attention to facilitating access to mental health support. Training midwives with advanced skills in counselling to address perinatal distress holds promise for integrating mental health care into maternity services thereby providing professional support to treat or prevent distress for the majority of women in need,” said study author Prof Debra Creedy. (1.30pm)

Improving mental health in Indigenous communities
This symposium will bring together a range of experts in Indigenous mental health to look at practical ways of improving mental health care in Indigenous communities. "Health and social emotional wellbeing problems are still significant in Indigenous communities. There are many (often unintended) barriers to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians in accessing health care. The symposium will look at ways of breaking down these barriers and working on the strengths that these communities have. This interactive session with a panel of experienced clinicians is aiming for a rollicking, inclusive conversation, understanding and learning,” said symposium chair Dr Emma Adams. (1.30pm)

Disaster response – Japan and Australia
2011 has seen a number of natural disasters around the world. Disasters create significant new mental health problems for affected communities and require a coordinated and sequential mental health response that is well integrated with other areas of disaster response and community recovery. Disaster response has evolved considerably over the last 20 years with the evolution of concepts such as psychological first aid and trauma specific mental health service models. This workshop will explore developments from both a Japanese and a local perspective with Japanese and Australian psychiatrists presenting. (11am)

Weight gain in first episode psychosis
“Metabolic complications including weight gain, obesity and metabolic syndrome in first episode psychosis can occur early in the course of drug treatment and lead to increased illness and reduced life expectancy,” according to symposium chair Dr Jackie Curtis. This symposium will address metabolic problems in first episode psychosis from a variety of perspectives including endocrine, psychopathology, cardiometabolic and early intervention angles. (1.30pm)

Use of humour in psychiatric wards
Humour can benefit psychiatric patients according to a new study of 80 patients on an acute psychiatry ward. Improvements in therapeutic engagement were demonstrated when a nurse or case worker used humour in interactions with patients. “Humour benefits medically ill patients, but there has been minimal research on its beneficial effects in those with psychiatric disorders. The study found that the use of humour by staff on an acute psychiatric ward can improve therapeutic engagement with acutely unwell patients,” according to study author Dr David Bell. (11am)

Today’s keynote speakers:

Professor Sir Robin Murray, Professor of Psychiatric Research at the Institute of Psychiatry, South London and world renowned schizophrenia researcher with authority in the causes of psychosis.
The epidemiology of schizophrenia reflects deviations of development and dopamine (9am)

Dr Cornelia Wieman, Canada’s first female Aboriginal psychiatrist and Co-Director of the Indigenous Health Research Development Program and Assistant Professor in the Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, with significant expertise in Indigenous mental health.
The mental health of Indigenous peoples: A Canadian perspective (9.45am)

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