This International Congress is being held with the good will of psychiatric professionals, concerned individuals and parties who have the ambition to improve the problems of all people in the world who suffer from mental problems. PRCP and WACP, the organizers of this congress, are particularly focused on providing assistance to young psychiatric professionals from developing countries who have many difficult problems that make it difficult for them to participate in international congresses.

The Closure of Culturally Specific Mental Health Programs: A Call to Action
Ladies and gentlemen,
Today, we must acknowledge a troubling global trend: the shutdown of culturally specific mental health programs. One example is the Asian Initiative in Mental Health in Toronto, which served Chinese Canadian communities for over twenty years. Its closure is not an isolated incident. Such programs are being discontinued across North America and beyond.
The reasons given are often “standardization” or “neutrality.” But these programs are not special privileges; they are vital. They fill critical gaps for communities facing barriers to care. Culturally safe, language-concordant services are proven to improve engagement, outcomes, and efficiency. Beyond direct care, these programs educate professionals, promote research, and forge community partnerships. They remind us that culture is not just a barrier but also a source of resilience, healing, and strength.
When such programs are dismantled, it signals a retreat from Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion — DEI. It risks reinforcing systemic bias under the guise of neutrality. Protecting DEI isn't about politics. It's about fairness, dignity, and human rights. In mental health, equity and effectiveness go hand in hand. Let the closure of programs like AIM serve as a call to action. Together, we must stand against the anti-DEI backlash and reaffirm our commitment to inclusive, culturally responsive mental health care — for the benefit of all communities and the future of psychiatry.
Thank you.

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