5th International Conference on Neuroscience and Mental Health

The mental health of children and adolescents has emerged as one of the most urgent and consequential challenges in global health. With rising rates of anxiety, depression, self-harm, eating disorders, and suicidal ideation among young people worldwide, trends that have been significantly amplified by the social disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic and the pervasive influence of social media, child and adolescent psychiatry is a field that demands both scientific rigour and deep clinical compassion. This session brings together the foremost experts in child and adolescent mental health to share evidence, debate approaches, and advance the science of early intervention and youth mental health care.

The neurodevelopmental foundations of childhood psychiatric conditions will be a central theme of this session, with presentations exploring the brain mechanisms underlying ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, childhood anxiety, and emerging mood disorders in adolescence. Delegates will hear about the latest advances in early identification and diagnosis, including neuroimaging biomarkers, digital screening tools, and genetic risk profiling, as well as the most effective pharmacological and psychotherapeutic treatment approaches for young patients. The critical importance of school-based mental health programmes, family therapy, and peer support networks will also be examined through an evidence-based lens.

This session will also tackle the pressing contemporary issue of technology and social media as drivers of adolescent mental health challenges. Research on the neuropsychological impact of excessive screen time, cyberbullying, social comparison, and online content on developing brains will be presented alongside practical strategies for helping young people navigate the digital world more safely. Suicide prevention in young people, eating disorder management, and the complex intersection of childhood trauma with psychiatric development will further enrich this comprehensive and deeply important session, one that speaks directly to the well-being of society's most precious resource.

Key topics:

• Childhood Anxiety and Depression: Prevalence, neurobiology, early identification, and evidence-based treatment approaches for anxiety and depression in young people.
• ADHD: Current diagnostic frameworks, neurobiological understanding, and pharmacological and behavioural management strategies for ADHD.
• Autism Spectrum Disorder: Comorbid psychiatric conditions in autism, evidence-based interventions, and family support strategies.
• Eating Disorders in Adolescents: Pathophysiology, early warning signs, inpatient and outpatient management, and relapse prevention for adolescent eating disorders.
• Self-Harm and Suicide Prevention: Risk assessment, crisis intervention, and evidence-based prevention strategies for self-harm and suicidal behaviour in young people.
• Social Media and Youth Mental Health: Research on the neuropsychological impact of social media, screen time, and digital environments on the developing adolescent brain.
• School-Based Mental Health: Design, implementation, and outcomes of school-based screening, prevention, and early intervention mental health programmes.
• Family Therapy and Parental Mental Health: How family-centred approaches and parental mental health support improve outcomes for children with psychiatric conditions.