Welcome to the 3rd Saudi Psychiatry Association Conference 2026

Advancing Psychiatry: Collaborative Value-Based Care

October 29–31, 2026

Al-Khobar – Saudi Arabia

Submit your abstract
Call for Abstracts Now open !
(Deadline: May 15, 2026)

Important Dates

  •  Abstract submission deadline – May 15,2026
  • Abstract acceptance Notification before– June 1,2026
  • Early Registration deadline– September 15,2026
  • Conference dates– October 29–31, 2026

Conference Theme

This year’s theme, “Advancing Psychiatry: Collaborative Value-Based Care,” emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, improved service deliverability, and holistic approaches that bridge psychiatry with other medical fields. The conference highlights innovation, coordination, and measurable outcomes to strengthen mental health systems across all levels of care

Target Audeince

This conference is designed for:

  • Psychiatrists (all subspecialties)
  • Physicians involved in mental health
  • Psychologists
  • Psychiatric nurses
  • Social workers and case managers
  • Occupational therapists
  • Pharmacists in psychiatric care
  • Residents and fellows
  • Medical students
  • Health administrators and policymakers
  • Researchers and public mental health professionals

Priority Focus Areas

  • Integrated & Collaborative Care Pathways
  • Value, Outcomes & Quality in Mental Health Systems
  • Holistic Biopsychosocial Treatment Optimization
  • Digital Health, Data & Future Care Models
  • Acute Care, Recovery & Community Continuity

Areas of interest

  • Mood & Anxiety Disorders
  • Psychotic & Severe Mental Disorders
  • Child & Adolescent Mental Health
  • Geriatric & Cognitive Disorders
  • Addiction & Substance Abuse
  • Psychological & Social Interventions
  • Psychopharmacology & Somatic Treatments
  • Neuropsychiatry & Neuroscience
  • Consultation-Liaison & Medical Psychiatry
  • Public Mental Health & Policy
  • Ethics, Culture & Society
  • Education, Training & Workforce
  • Digital Psychiatry & Emerging Innovations
  • Suicide Prevention & Crisis Psychiatry
  • Perinatal & Women’s Mental Health
  • Other / Multidisciplinary / Emerging Topic

Goals of the Conference

  • Advance value-based, outcome-focused psychiatric care.
  • Strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration across specialities.
  • Promote holistic, patient-centred biopsychosocial practice.
  • Highlight evidence-based pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments.
  • Accelerate digital innovation and service transformation.
  • Improve crisis care and continuity across levels of care.
  • Support education, training, and workforce development.
  • Advance culturally informed, ethical, and public mental health practice.

CME Accreditation

The conference is expected to offer more than 20 CME credit hours for lectures + more than 10 hours for workshops/courses, subject to final accreditation approval.

Educational Activity Types

Use this space to provide your website visitors with a brief description on what to expect before clicking on a section title.

A flagship plenary session delivered in the main auditorium to all attendees, with no parallel sessions scheduled during this time. The keynote provides an authoritative overview of a major theme, highlighting priority developments and their implications for clinical practice, research, and service development. (30–45 minutes)

A featured plenary session delivered in the main auditorium to all attendees, with no parallel sessions scheduled during this time. Presented by a highly recognized leader in the field, this lecture offers high-level perspective on a major topic, with clear implications for practice, education, and service development. (30–45 minutes)

Curated presentations delivered in the main auditorium on timely issues and emerging priorities. Lectures are designed to balance scientific rigor with real-world application, supported by clear conclusions and recommendations. (20–30 minutes)

Programme lectures designed to build knowledge across key domains. Content may include clinical approaches, theoretical models, research findings, and service delivery topics. (20 minutes)

An interactive forum led by a chairperson, bringing together several experts to discuss a complex issue, clarify areas of agreement and disagreement, and translate evidence into real-world decisions.

Interactive, skills-focused sessions designed to provide in-depth learning and practical application. Workshops emphasize active participation through case discussions, demonstrations, guided exercises, and structured dialogue. These sessions are intended to strengthen competencies, enhance clinical reasoning, and support implementation in real-world practice. Capacity may be limited to maintain an effective learning environment. (90–120 minutes)

A small-group, informal roundtable session held in a dedicated room, designed for students, trainees, and early-career psychiatrists. Participants will have the opportunity to meet prominent experts in a relaxed setting, ask questions, discuss real-world experiences, and gain practical insights on training, career development, clinical work, and leadership. The format supports open dialogue, mentorship, and meaningful networking with senior figures in the field. Capacity is limited to maintain an interactive environment.

Industry-Sponsored Sessions are organized and funded by approved industry partners and are conducted in dedicated time slots separate from the accredited scientific programme. These sessions provide companies with an opportunity to present product information, emerging data, or educational content relevant to mental health practice.
All sponsored activities are clearly identified as non-CME and do not carry continuing medical education credit. The scientific content of the accredited programme remains independently developed by the conference’s Scientific Committee.

Closed Governance & Leadership Meetings

Closed meeting for SPA Board members only to review strategic priorities, governance decisions, financial updates, and key resolutions. Attendance is by invitation/eligibility and requires verification at entry.

Closed working meeting for committee chairs and members to align on deliverables, timelines, and cross-committee coordination. Focused on operational updates and action plans. Attendance restricted to eligible committee members.

Closed meeting for eligible SPA Active members to review the annual report, discuss association matters, and vote on agenda items in line with SPA bylaws. Entry is restricted to verified eligible members.

A closed, invite-only forum bringing together senior psychiatry leaders (department chairs, medical directors, CEOs, and service leaders) to discuss strategic priorities, service development, and cross-sector collaboration. The session is designed for high-level dialogue, shared challenges, and practical next steps to strengthen psychiatric services. Access is restricted to verified eligible invitees.

Sponsorship

We welcome pharmaceutical companies and industry partners to join the conference as official sponsors. This large-scale scientific meeting is expected to attract over 1,000 attendees, bringing together psychiatrists, mental health leaders, and senior decision-makers from across institutions and services—offering a high-impact platform to engage a highly targeted audience and demonstrate your commitment to advancing mental health.

Click here to explore sponsorship packages and to apply.

Conference Scientific Committee

Dr. Ibhrahim AlSheikhi
(Chairman)

Military Hospital in South Region

Dr. Amenah Al-Hemyari

Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University

Dr. Lubna AlBassam

King Fahad Specialist Hospital-Dammam

Dr. Ahmed Tawfiq Flimban

Erada Complex, Addiction Services In Jeddah

Dr. Mohammed Almuqahwi

Erada Mental Health Complex Dammam

Dr. Khalid
Bazaid

University of Ottowa – Canada

Prof. Yasser Abdulrazeq

Erada Mental Health Complex Dammam

Dr. Abdulmajeed Zarbah

Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University

Welcome Message from President of SPA

It is my pleasure to invite you to join us for this upcoming conference of the Saudi Psychiatric Association. While the full programme is in development, we are designing a high-impact scientific meeting featuring plenary sessions, keynote and distinguished lectures, featured and scientific sessions, panel discussions, workshops, and interactive Meet the Experts forums. With an expected attendance of over 1,000 participants, this conference aims to bring together leaders, clinicians, researchers, and trainees to advance mental health practice and collaboration. Your contribution is essential. I warmly encourage you to submit your abstract and be part of shaping a programme defined by excellence, innovation, and shared professional purpose.

Sincerely, Dr. Feras Al-Awad

Ready To Submit ?

Contribute to integrated, outcome-driven psychiatric care in Saudi Arabia. Submit your abstract by May 15, 2026.

Submit Abstract Now!

Contact Us

For any inquiries, you can contact us via email **abstracts@spa.org.sa** , or WhatsApp +966 550 156 550

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