Dear colleagues and friends,

www.wpathematic.org

Considering the challenging situation caused by the global pandemic, WPA is pleased to announce that its exclusive virtual congress for 2020 and the first Thematic Congress during 2020-23 term: the WPA 2020 Thematic Congress on intersectional collaboration “Psychological Trauma: Global burden on mental and physical health”, will be delivered virtually on 10-12 December 2020.

As WPA’s faculty and delegates wellbeing comes first, this virtual event promises to deliver to you safely, a state-of-the-art scientific content, broadcasted from the historic city of Athens – symbol of wisdom and endurance for the global psychiatric community.

WPA 2020 Thematic Congress on intersectional collaboration will be a first in three major aspects: Firstly, it aims at bringing together both the psychiatric and the somatic medicine community. Secondly, it will be conceptualized as an intersectional meeting as WPA’s scientific Sections will jointly work towards a truly

interdisciplinary program cutting across diagnostic entities, methodological approaches, and treatment strategies. Thirdly, it will not only be a meeting of professionals but also a forum bringing true trialogue to the center stage as we will make this meeting a forum where the voices of patients, of highly traumatized fellow human beings and their families will be heard.

With the theme Psychological trauma: Global burden on mental and physical health, this meeting will build on the experiences of WPA’s 2017- 2020 Action Plan and will be at the forefront of science as psychological traumas are now clearly established by several worldwide studies as the single avoidable group of contributors to the occurrence of mental health disorders.

Your active participation will undoubtedly contribute to a successful and productive WPA congress.

Looking forward to welcoming you in our virtual congress!

Dr. Afzal Javed President WPA & President of the Congress

Prof. Thomas G. Schulze WPA Secretary for Scientific Sections Chair of the Scientific Committee

Prof. Dimitrios Ploumpidis President Hellenic Psychiatric Association Chair of the Organizing Committee

Prof. George Christodoulou Honorary President of the Hellenic Psychiatric Association Co-President of the Congress