Faculty of General Adult Psychiatry Winter Conference 2026 - Frontline Psychiatry: Building a compassionate and resilient emergency system

On behalf of the General Adult Faculty, we welcome you to our Faculty Winter Conference 2026, a gathering dedicated to exploring one of the most critical aspects of mental health care: mental health in acute and emergency care.

This year’s theme reflects the urgency and complexity of responding to mental health crises—moments that demand not only clinical expertise but also compassion, collaboration, and innovation. Mental health emergencies are often the point where lives intersect with systems under immense pressure. Whether it’s managing acute psychosis, severe mood disorders, or the growing challenges of self-harm and suicide prevention, these situations call for rapid, evidence-based interventions and a compassionate approach. Our conference aims to provide a platform for sharing best practices, discussing policy developments, and learning from real-world experiences that shape the future of emergency mental health care.

We are delighted to welcome an outstanding line-up of speakers, who bring diverse perspectives from policy makers, clinical practice, research, and lived experience. Their insights will help us navigate pressing questions: How do we balance patient autonomy with safety in crisis situations? What innovations in service delivery can reduce pressure on emergency departments? How can we ensure that families and carers are supported during these critical times?

This event is not just for psychiatrists—it is for all mental health professionals, from nurses and psychologists to social workers and occupational therapists. Importantly, we also extend a warm invitation to patients and their families, whose voices are essential in shaping care that is humane and effective. Together, we can foster a culture of openness and collaboration that transcends traditional boundaries.

Expect a dynamic program featuring keynote addresses, interactive sessions, and panel discussions on topics such as:

• Crisis intervention models and their effectiveness
• Relational care in emergency care
• Dilemmas in emergency psychiatry

As we convene, let us remember that behind every emergency is a person—a story that deserves dignity and hope. This conference is an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to delivering care that is timely, compassionate, and grounded in evidence.

Thank you for joining us. We look forward to learning, sharing, and shaping the future of acute mental health care together.

Online platform

This event will be taking place online via EventsAir.

Attendees will need access to a PC/laptop and a reliable network connection in order to participate. We recommend the use of Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge as compatible browsers.

Joining the event

Registered participants will receive a link to join the conference in their joining instructions. You will have one unique link to access the whole day's sessions.

Joining instructions will be sent out the day before the conference.

On-demand access

All registered delegates will receive access to the conference recordings until Wednesday 20 May 2026.

You do not need to attend live to receive on-demand access, however you must be registered before the event takes place.

FAQs

Please visit our FAQ webpage for further information.