The First National Conference on Mental Health in Syria – The 13th Annual Scientific Conference of (SAMH)
Under the kind patronage of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor, Damascus University, and the Faculty of Education at Damascus University,
The Syrian Association for Mental Health (SAMH), in collaboration with the Faculty of Education at Damascus University, is organizing the “Mental Health in Syria” Conference, as part of the activities of its 13th Annual Scientific Conference, held under the title:
“Towards Integrated Support for Community Mental Health in the Recovery Phase.”
The conference brings together a distinguished group of leading Syrian experts and consultants at both regional and international levels in the fields of psychiatry, psychotherapy, and psychosocial support, alongside representatives of governmental bodies, international organizations, civil society institutions, and the private sector. The event aims to strengthen coordination and integration among key stakeholders in the mental health sector.
The conference seeks to promote specialized scientific dialogue, enhance institutional coordination, and contribute to the development of a comprehensive national vision for advancing the mental health sector in Syria.
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Conference Details
Date: 15–16 April 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (Damascus Time)
Venue: University of Damascus
Attendance Mode: In-person and Online (Hybrid)
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Submission Guidelines for Scientific Papers and Posters
1. Scientific Papers (Oral / Scientific Presentations)
Conference Themes
Submissions are accepted in the following thematic areas:
•Child and adolescent mental health after war
•Psychosocial support for survivors of trauma and violence
•The role of local associations and organizations in supporting mental health
•Community psychiatry and rebuilding services in affected areas
•Mental health in education (teachers, learners, curriculum, teaching methods)
•Mental health of humanitarian and healthcare workers
•Contemporary approaches in psychotherapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in fragile contexts
•Mental health in prisons and detention centers, and support for released detainees
•Psychological media engagement in societies emerging from violence and trauma
•Use of technology in mental health services (tele-therapy, digital applications)
•Mental health strategy, mental health law, and regulation of mental health professions
Accepted Paper Types
•Original Research
•Review Articles
•Case Reports
•Policy / Practice Papers
•Documented Field Experience Papers
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Abstract Requirements (Oral Presentations)
Language: Arabic or English
Word Count: 250–300 words
The abstract must include:
•Background
•Study Objectives
•Methodology
•Results
•Conclusion and Recommendations
Required Attachments
•Full name of author/presenter
•Brief biography
•Institutional or professional affiliation
•Email address
•Phone number
•Proposed presentation type (Oral)
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Review and Acceptance Process
All submissions will undergo peer review by the Scientific Committee.
Authors will be notified of acceptance or rejection via email.
The Scientific Committee reserves the right to:
•Accept the paper
•Accept with revisions
•Convert an oral presentation to a poster presentation
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Conference Leadership
Conference Chair
Dr. Mamoun Mbayeh – Senior Consultant Psychiatrist
Scientific Committee Chairs
Dr. Dajana Al-Baroudi – PhD in Clinical Psychology
Dr. Ruba Sultan – Head of the Department of Psychological Counseling
The Scientific Committee includes distinguished professors and specialists in psychiatry, psychology, and counseling:
•Professor Mohammad Abou-Saleh – Professor of Psychiatry, University of London
•Professor Mohammad Al-Hallak – Dean, Faculty of Education
•Professor Amina Rizk – Vice Dean, Faculty of Education
•Professor Khaled Al-Ammar – Department of Psychological Counseling
•Professor Ali Al-Nuhaili – Department of Psychology
•Dr. Ahmad Al-Marayati – Senior Consultant Psychiatrist
•Professor Khaldoun Ibrahim Marwa – Consultant and Professor of Psychiatry
•Professor Youssef Latifeh – Professor of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Damascus
•Dr. Mohammad Kamal Al-Sharif – Consultant Psychiatrist
•Dr. Molham Al-Heraki – Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist
•Dr. Wael Al-Raas – Consultant Psychiatrist
•Dr. Wael Al-Raas – Consultant Psychiatrist
•Dr. Jihad Al-Abdullah – Consultant in Psychiatry and Psychotherapy (Berlin)
•Dr. Basel Al-Allozi – Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist
•Dr. Mona Al-Hamwi – Head of the Department of Psychology
•Dr. Jassem Al-Mansour – Consultant in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
•Dr. Mazen Al-Shammat – PhD in Psychological Counseling
•Dr. Arwa Al-Dagher – PhD in Psychological Counseling
•Dr. Aman Roujouli – PhD in Psychological Counseling
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Poster Submission Guidelines
Poster Topics
Same themes as oral papers, with special encouragement for:
•Preliminary research
•Graduation projects
•Psychological intervention programs
•Field experience reports
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Poster Abstract Requirements
Word Count: 200–250 words
Must include:
•Title
•Objective
•Brief methodology
•Results or key lessons learned
•Full presenter information
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Technical Specifications (Printed / Electronic Poster)
•Size: A0 (Portrait orientation)
•Language: Arabic or English
•Should include:
•Clear title (bilingual if possible)
•Authors’ names and affiliations
•Brief introduction
•Methodology
•Results
•Conclusion
•References (concise)
•Use visual aids (charts, tables, graphics) where appropriate
•Ensure clarity of fonts and readability
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Poster Presentation
•Presenters must attend for discussion if submitting a printed poster.
•Electronic posters may be submitted in PDF format and must include the SAMH logo.
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General Conditions
•Submissions must not have been previously published or presented at another conference.
•Compliance with research ethics and patient rights is mandatory.
•Authors bear full responsibility for the scientific content.
•Abstract submission deadline: 15 March 2026
•Submissions must be sent to: Samhcoordination@gmail.com
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Registration and Attendance:
To register and attend the First National Conference on Mental Health in Syria.
“Towards integrated support for community mental health during the recovery phase.”
Please fill out the form at the following link:
