European Congress of Psychiatry

As a Chilean psychologist and PhD candidate at the University of Edinburgh, my research focuses on improving the identification and understanding of paediatric bipolar disorder, a complex and often under-recognised condition. This year, I had the opportunity to attend and present at the European Congress of Psychiatry (EPA) in Madrid, one of the most prominent international events for mental health research and clinical innovation.

The focus of my participation was to present findings from my systematic review and meta-analysis on the diagnostic accuracy of screening tools for paediatric bipolar disorder. This study forms a key part of my doctoral work and reflects my broader academic interest in enhancing early detection strategies in child and adolescent mental health. Presenting my research to an international audience provided invaluable feedback that has helped shape the next steps of my analysis and research dissemination.

I attended the European Congress of Psychiatry (EPA) Congress not only to share my work but also to explore the latest developments in the field, particularly those aligned with my research. The programme included relevant panels on topics such as the transition to adult services, digital phenotyping, neurodevelopmental mechanisms, evidence-based interventions, and predictors of illness onset and self-injury. I was especially drawn to emerging research on the role of sex and gender in the clinical presentation of bipolar disorder, an area I plan to incorporate more deeply into my ongoing work.

A major highlight of the congress was the opportunity to connect with global experts and fellow researchers. I developed new links with researchers from Canada, Italy, Germany, Colombia, and Argentina, and strengthened my collaboration with the Barcelona bipolar group. These conversations opened doors for future mentorship, co-authorship, and cross-cultural collaboration.

Consequently, attending the EPA Congress was intellectually enriching and professionally rewarding. It deepened my understanding of international trends in PBD research, refined my academic focus, and reinforced the value of global collaboration in advancing mental health care for children and adolescents.