The IEPA (International Early Psychosis Association) is a professional body and international network that works in early psychosis intervention. This year, on October 7 – 10 in Boston, IEPA has succesfully held the 11th International Conference on Early Intervention in Mental Health. The theme for the conference was “Prevention & Early Intervention : Broadening The Scope”. This conference discusses innovations and ideas for early intervention in psychotic disorders and other mental health issues. The aim of this even is for research about the psychosocial aspect in psychosis can be understood as interventions that can prevent mental disorders.
One of the research presented was a collaboration from two faculties in UGM: the Faculty of Psychology and the Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing (the Indonesian acronym is FKKMK) and also Harvard Medical School. This collaboration between UGM and Harvard started in 1990 with Prof. Byron Joseph Good, Ph.D., BD. and Mary-Jo Good, Ph.D. The title of the research was ‘Cultural Influences on Care for First Episode Psychosis Services’. The work was presented on October 9, 2018 by Dr. Nida Ul Hasanat, M.Si and Prof. Subandi, MA, Ph.D. from the Faculty of Psychology and also Dr. dr. Carla Raymondalexas Marchira, SpKJ (K) from FKKMK. It was moderated by Prof. Byron Joseph Good, Ph.D., BD.
The focus of research on first episode psychosis includes how sociocultural conditions impact onset and long-term effects of the disorder. The research had quantitative data, case study, and an intensive longitudinal research from the social side. As a result, the research gives exposure to psychoeducational intervention aimed for the family of the survivor that has been designed to fit the social and cultural context.
On October 11, 2018, Dr. Nida Ul Hasanat, M.Si. along with Prof. Subandi, MA, Ph.D. continued with another event held by the World Association of Cultural Psychiatry (WACP). This event is the fifth world congress held by WACP. The theme was “Achieving Global Mental Health Equity Making Cultural Psychiatry Count”. It was held in New York until October 13, 2018.
Same as the IEPA conference, WACP’s world congress discusses cultural issues with attendees from the professional field, such as psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, medical and mental health staff. The attendees are encouraged to share about implemetations best suited for mental health with a cultural approach. In this congress, one of the discussions was regarding collaboration with various communities working in the field of mental health.