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	Under the patronage of his excellency Sheikh Nahyan Mobarak AlNahyan Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research WPA Co-Sponsored conference 3^rd International Conference of Al Noor Hospital Psychiatry in General Practice February 7-9, 2008 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
	As knowledge grows about the causes and risk factors for psychiatric illness the potential for prevention becomes a reality. Mental health policies of government and community organizations now emphasize the importance of a preventive approach to the management of mental disorders and problems. These approaches range from widespread public health initiatives applied to whole populations, through targeted interventions for selected at risk groups, to early treatment for patients showing the first signs of mental illness. Sometimes forgotten but just as important to the clinician and patient are rehabilitation and recovery efforts designed to prevent relapse, maximize recovery and prevent complications. February 2008 will mark the beginning of a new series of international medical meetings, ICAN Conferences. For the past three years, ICAN has been providing high quality and unbiased medical-related CME internationally, and has the distinction of being held Under the Patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and the honor of joint collaborations with some of the world’s prominent scientific organizations, educational institutions, as well as many renowned international faculties. The 3^rd International Conference of Al Noor Hospital, “Psychiatry in General Practice” will describe the range of preventive approaches used in the field of mental health and critically review their effectiveness. The meeting will emphasize how clinicians can incorporate these approaches and techniques into everyday clinical practice. This will be achieved through conference workshops and keynote presentations. The conference is open to: > Psychiatrists > Psychologists > General Practitioners > Counsellors > Allied Health > Nurses > Educational Institutions > Non-government organizations > Public health services > Private health services > Private practitioners
	President's Message Dear Colleagues It is a great delight for me to welcome you in the prestigious city of Abu Dhabi in United Arab Emirates and a special privilege to invite you to the 3rd International Conference of Al Noor Hospital that will be held on February 7 - 9, 2008. ICAN annual conferences have so far created a great impact on medical services and the quality of patient care in private sector. The first conference on “Problems of Obesity in Medical Practice” and the second conference on “Liver Diseases” are followed by the 3rd ICAN- “Psychiatry in General Practice- Healthy Minds, Healthy Lives”. It is becoming increasingly recognized by all international scientific organizations that out of the ten leading causes of disability in The Global Burden of Disease world wide, five of them are psychological disorders- namely Schizophrenia, Depression, Obsessive Compulsive, Dementia and Drub Abuse. The World Psychiatric Association (WPA), the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have launched The Global Ant Stigma Campaign to fight the myths and misunderstanding surrounding those diseases. Stigma creates a vicious circle of alienation and discrimination which can lead to social isolation, inability to work, drug abuse, homelessness and excessive institutionalization-all of which diminish the quality of life of people suffering from psychological disorders and put a great stress on their families. It is estimated that 23-45% of OPD attendants are suffering from physical symptoms of psychogenic origin which highlights the importance of psychological approach to patients attending O.P. clinics. The WHO has recently recommended the integration of mental health into general medical practice for early detection, intervention and treatment. It has designed a special CME course for PHC doctors. It is our great aspiration to make this conference a major breakthrough for psychiatry in the new millennium by increasing awareness, improving public attitude and generating action to eliminate discrimination and prejudice. We hope that it would be a joint venture for all Medical Health Providers as well as Non-government Organizations (NGOS) to get together to change the community attitude towards psychiatry and foster the objective of Healthy Minds, Healthy Lives. Once again welcome to Abu Dhabi. Dr. Kassem Alom, MD Conference President Managing Director Al Noor Hospital