International Conference on Mental Health Support in Conflicted Areas
Building resilience of conflict-affected communities through mental health and psychosocial support.
A focused platform to connect Thailand’s Deep South experience with regional and global practices in fragile and conflict-affected settings.
Date: February 9th– 10th, 2026
Language: English & Thai
Venue: Laguna Grand Hotel & Spa Songkhla
Co-hosted by the World Bank Group, Thai Health Promotion Foundation (ThaiHealth), ThaiHealth Academy (THA)
Target participants
Policy makers, researchers, practitioners and development partners.
Participation is free of charge. Registration is required and on-site seats are limited.
Event highlight
Two-day international conference featuring high-level panels, technical sessions, and country experiences on evidence for equity in health.
Keynotes & panels
Parallel sessions
Poster presentations
workshop
Programme
Programme at a glance
Day 1: February 9th,2026 – Program Overview
09.00 AM – 20.30 PM
- Program Introduction and Welcome remarks
- Setting the scene: “Regional Imperatives: Mental Health, Psychosocial Support, and Livelihoods in Conflict-Affected Areas”
- Keynote Presentation: “Rethinking Psychosocial Support: Integrating Culture, Care, and Livelihoods in Conflict-Affected Areas”
- Panel Discussion: “From Blueprint to Impact: Asia Lessons in Planning, Implementing, and Scaling Psychosocial Interventions in Conflict-Affected Area Contexts”
- Oral Presentation-Sharing notable examples of case study movements: “From Knowledge to Action – Learning from Global and Deep South Thailand’s Best Practices” [by participants]
- Group Dialogue
- Welcome Reception
Day 2: February 10th, 2026 – Learning from Best Practices
09.00 AM – 14.00 PM
Group dialogue summary presentations translating small-group discussions into key insights, followed by a policy recommendations session where policymakers and partners synthesize directions for collaborative, multisectoral action to strengthen resilience and wellbeing in conflict-affected areas.
- Group Dialogue : From Dialogue to Policy Pathways
- Policy Recommendations
Schedule
Conference schedule
Detailed timeline for the two-day conference, including opening, keynote, panel discussions, group dialogues.
Registration
09.00-09.20
Conference Overview and Opening Remarks
09.20-09.30
World Bank Opening Remarks
by Pamornrat Tansanguanwong Senior Social Development Specialist, the World Bank Group
Setting the Direction for Regional Collaboration “Strengthening Cross-Sectoral Collaboration at National and International Levels in Mental Health”
by Dr. Prakasit Kayasith
Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Acting Managing Director of ThaiHealth Academy,
Thai Health Promotion Foundation and the Project Director
Setting the Tone for Regional Collaboration “Regional Imperatives: Mental Health, Psychosocial Support, and Livelihoods in Conflict-Affected Areas”
by Dr. Andrea Bruni
The Mental Health Regional Advisor, WHO South-East Asia Regional Office
10.15 – 10.45
Break
Refreshment
10.45 – 11.30
Keynote Presentation:
” Rethinking Psychosocial Support: Integrating Culture, Care, and Livelihoods in Conflict-Affected Areas”
by Dr. Andrea Bruni, the Mental Health Regional Advisor, WHO South-East Asia Regional Office
Panel Discussion: “From Blueprint to Real-World Impact: Lessons from Asia on Planning, Implementing, and Scaling Psychosocial Interventions in Conflict-Affected Area Contexts”
Panelist
- Dr. Katy Robjant Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Vice president of vivo international
- Datuk Dr. Anis Yusal Yusoff, Principal Fellow Institute of Ethnic Studies,
National University of Malaysia Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia - Dr. Nantawat Sitdhiraksa Professor in Psychiatry, Mahidol University
- Moderated by Bon Prisa Jakobsen
12.30 – 14.00
Break
Lunch Break and Poster Presentations on Community Project Best Practices
Presentations: “From Knowledge to Practice: Best Practices from Thailand’s Deep South"
Speakers
- Dr. Kiflan Dolah, Psychiatrist Psychiatrist, Naradhiwasrajanagarindra Hospital
- Nan Ei Research Manager, Community Partners International (CPI)
- Farida Tiboron Mangcaan Head of office, Iligan Sub-Office, Community and Family Services International (CFSI)
Break
Refreshment
Group Dialogue (Issue based)
A World Café format enabling all participants to exchange views through rotating group
discussions on project-specific themes (e.g., stigma reduction, referral pathways for
target groups, integration with livelihood support, children and youth, and women
in conflict settings). This supports cross-regional learning, co-creation of systematic
solutions, and synthesis of ideas across groups. Topics follow:
19.00 – 20.30
Welcome Reception
All participants are warmly invited to join the Welcome Reception.
This informal gathering offers an opportunity to connect with colleagues and engage in
networking in a relaxed setting.
Venue: 1st Floor, Laguna Queen Grand Ballroom at Laguna Grand Hotel & Spa Songkhla,
Thailand
Dress code: Casual
Welcome remarks:
by Pamornrat Tansanguanwong, Senior Social Development Specialist,
the World Bank Group
Welcome remarks:
by Dr. Prakasit Kayasith, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Acting Managing Director of
ThaiHealth Academy, Thai Health Promotion Foundation and the Project Director
09.00 – 12.00
Group Dialogue Summary Presentation - Learning from real practice:
Key lessons synthesized: representatives from each breakout group present key points
from the World Café discussions to the plenary
by Group representatives
Project Results “From Dialogue to Policy Pathways”
The policy-makers/senior leaders share perspectives and synthesize inputs into
feasible, actionable recommendations, and outline multi-stakeholder collaboration
for sustainable future work.
Speakers
• Nith Thongphetsri, Director, Mental Health Center 12
• Yusin Chitphakorn, Deputy Mayor, Yala City Municipality
• Kanokrat Kueakit, Secretary-General, Southern Border Provinces Administrative
Centre (SBPAC)
• Dr. Narissara Ngamkhachornwiwat, Director, Thanyarak Pattani Hospital
[Open the floor for Q&A)
Closing Ceremony
by Pamornrat Tansanguanwong, Senior Social Development Specialist,
the World Bank Group
Lunch Break and Networking
Speakers
Keynote speakers & panelists
- Mr. Nantawat Sitdhiraksa, MD. PhD. Professor in Psychiatry, Mahidol University Project Director
- Byron Joseph Good, PhD, BD Professor of Medical Anthropology (TBC)
- Katy Robjant, PhD., Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Vice president of vivo international
- Dr. Pimrapaat Dusadeeisariyakul, Project Manager, Friedrich Naumann Foundation (TBC)
Participants
Participants & registration
Participation is free of charge. Prior registration is required. Confirmed participants will receive a formal email with logistics information.
Venue
Venue & logistics
Conference venue
Laguna Grand Hotel & Spa Songkhla
Songkhla, Thailand
The venue offers modern conference facilities in Songkhla with meeting rooms, breakout spaces and convenient access to accommodation and local amenities.
Participants are responsible for their own travel, accommodation and related expenses, while the host organizations will provide the conference facility, meeting package and study visit during the event period.
Contact
Contact information
Conference Secretariat — EPS Project
Email: wb_epsadmin@thaihealth.or.th
Website: www.epsproject-tha.com
For questions related to registration, programme or logistics, please contact the conference secretariat.
