Introduction
The primary issue of this Regional Convention of the World Psychiatric Society is Preventive Psychiatry, an issue of high importance.
Ancient Greeks accepted the importance of prevention and this was the reason they worshipped Hygeia, the goddess of preventive medecine, more than Panacea, goddess of healing medecine.
The concepts of prevention and healing could be regarded as contradictory to each other, since with successful prevention, the need for therapy is eliminated. However, according to current concepts, prevention should be complementary to therapy, not opposed to it, and this is demonstrated by the fact that an early and effective therapy is considered as a prevention factor.
The issues of this convention refer to all three grades of prevention:
- Primary (first grade) which is the main prevention
- Secondary (2nd grade therapy)
- Third grade (rehabilitation)
This broad concept of prevention practically offers the opportunity to all attendants to submit papers that cover the entire spectrum of Psychiatry, while the main lectures will be focused mainly on primary prevention.
Despite the prevailing concept that prevention is preferable to therapy, it is not always clear which particular preventive interventions are indicated in each case, and to what extend such interventions are feasible and effective.
The purpose of this convention is to give answers to questions referring to the effectiveness of psychiatric prevention, and to recognize the areas where preventive interventions are indicated.
On behalf of the Organizing Committee I invite you to actively participate to the Convention, and to contribute to the achievement of Preventive Psychiatric purposes. |