The conference will address the often-challenging issues surrounding neurological and behavioural disorders and attitudes towards them.
Experts from a wide range of disciplines will explore the ethical and social implications of mental illness and will explain the latest scientific knowledge on their causes and treatment. The conference will also debate a number of difficult topics including the definition of mental disorders, financial interests in their diagnosis and treatment, and controversial therapies.
The tradition of this conference series is to promote dialogue between a wide range of professionals and members of the public.
Following a scene-setting Keynote Lecture by UK social scientist Nikolas Rose, the conference is organized in four sessions:
Session I: Impact and definition of mental illness
Session II: The biology of mental illness
Session III: Pills, sofas and surgery - ways of treatment
Session IV: Society and mental illness
Registration will open in February 2011