SIPSCON 2026, the 42nd Annual Conference of the Branch of the Indian Psychiatric Society (Kerala), organised by the Ernakulam Psychiatric Society, was held from 7th to 9th August 2026 at IMA House, Kochi, under the theme "Mental Health: Genesis to Senescence." The three-day conference brought together psychiatrists, postgraduate students, young psychiatrists, delegates, and researchers for an enriching programme of academic exchange, professional interaction, research, and fellowship. The conference was also accredited by the Kerala Medical Council for 3 CME hours under Ref. No. KSMCT/1093/2026-C6 dated 06/07/2026.
The conference was inaugurated by Hon. Mr. Justice Devan Ramachandran, Judge, High Court of Kerala, who served as the Chief Guest. His presence added significance to the inaugural ceremony and highlighted the broader importance of mental health in society.
The scientific programme featured an impressive panel of 14 main speakers and 6 young psychiatrist speakers, providing delegates with opportunities to engage with diverse perspectives and developments in the field. The sessions addressed contemporary developments, emerging perspectives, clinical challenges, and advances in psychiatry. A major focus of SIPSCON 2026 was on encouraging research and academic participation. The scientific programme featured 12 free paper presentations and 17 free e-poster presentations, enabling delegates to present clinical experiences, research findings, and innovative perspectives.
The conference also hosted several award categories. Ten e-poster presentations were included under the Kollam Psychiatric Society Best Poster Award for Post Graduates 2026, with the top three positions awarded to:
The Palakkad Psychiatric Guild Best Psychiatry PG Paper Award 2026 featured 6 presentations, with the top three positions going to:
The Venad Guild Young Psychiatrist Award 2026 featured 2 presentations, with Dr. Subha T. receiving the award.
These initiatives provided a valuable platform for postgraduate students and young psychiatrists to showcase their academic work and receive recognition for their contributions to psychiatry.
SIPSCON 2026 also recognised the important role of media in promoting mental health awareness. The Mental Health Media Award 2026 was presented to Akhila Nandakumar in recognition of her significant contribution to mental health advocacy through her exceptional work, Dear Zindagi.
SIPSCON 2026 witnessed strong participation from across Kerala throughout the three-day programme. A total of 479 delegates registered for the conference, of whom 441 attended the scientific programme. The conference also welcomed 110 registered accompanying persons, with 82 attending, while 119 trade delegates also participated.
As part of SIPSCON 2026, the Dr. Abdul Rahiman Memorial Gold Medal Award for House Surgeons 2026 was conducted with participation from 26 medical colleges across Kerala.
The winners were:
The Annual Undergraduate Psychiatry Quiz 2026 was another major academic highlight of SIPSCON 2026. The preliminary round witnessed participation from 20 medical colleges across Kerala and was conducted through AhaSlides and Google Meet. Six teams qualified for the final round, representing medical colleges from across the state. The top three teams were:
Beyond the conventional scientific sessions, SIPSCON 2026 introduced several engaging academic and interactive initiatives designed to enhance delegate participation. One of the highlights was MindBlitz, the conference-wide interactive quiz conducted through the SIPSCON 2026 mobile application. Following each scientific session, delegates had the opportunity to answer multiple-choice questions based on the sessions. The initiative transformed passive learning into an interactive experience, allowing delegates to test their knowledge, reinforce key concepts, and participate in a friendly academic competition throughout the conference.
SIPSCON 2026 extended beyond academics, providing opportunities for recreation, interaction, and fellowship through a wide range of sporting events. The sports programme included men's and women's badminton singles and doubles, men's and women's table tennis, football, cricket, chess, and a women's shoot-out competition. These events created opportunities to interact outside the academic setting, strengthen professional relationships, nurture friendships, and foster a strong sense of camaraderie within the psychiatric community.
The conference also celebrated the rich cultural spirit of the psychiatric community through a vibrant cultural programme. Music, dance, and instrumental performances added colour, energy, and warmth to the three-day proceedings.
SIPSCON 2026 was more than an academic conference. It was a celebration of psychiatry, research, learning, collaboration, creativity, sports, and fellowship. With its diverse scientific programme, strong academic participation, interactive initiatives, competitive events, cultural celebrations, and enthusiastic participation from across Kerala, the conference created a memorable platform for professionals at different stages of their psychiatric careers.
The successful conduct of SIPSCON 2026 stands as a testament to the collective efforts of the Branch of the Indian Psychiatric Society(Kerala), the Ernakulam Psychiatric Society, the organising committee, scientific committee, all other committees, delegates, speakers, young psychiatrists, postgraduate students, media representatives, volunteers, trade partners, and everyone who contributed to making the conference a success.
