Welcome Letter by Organizing Committee
Dear Colleagues,
Isocrates -not Socrates-, one of the most important orators of Classical Greece, who lived in Athens from 436 to 338 BC, stated that:
Πειρώ τω μεν σώματι είναι φιλόπονος, τη δε ψυχή φιλόσοφος.
(You should try to be diligent about the body and a philosopher about the soul).
As Chairman of the Organizing Committee of IOPTMH 2022 conference and on behalf of the Greek scientific section “Physiotherapy in mental health” of PanHellenic Physiotherapists’ Association, it is my great pleasure to invite you all in Athens, Greece in May 4-6, 2022.
It is the biannual conference of the International Organization of Physical Therapy in Mental Health (IOPTMH), in which we will try to answer the question: “Physiotherapy in mental health; What’s next?”.
Our highly qualified scientific program, the reputable presenters and the venue altogether form a powerful motivation for both physiotherapists and other mental health professionals to attend the conference.
The 9th Edition will be carried out in a hybrid manner (physical presence & online monitoring) in full harmonization with the Greek Ministerial Decisions and the applicable Health Protocols for holding conferences due COVID-19.
You are all warmly welcome to Athens, the place that dialectical science was developed, to share your ideas, your questions, but above all to share our state of the art knowledge of physical therapy in mental health.
Yours truly,
Stavros Stathopoulos
Chair of Organising Committee
Coordinator of the Greek scientific section “Physiotherapy in mental health”
Welcome Letter by Scientific Committee
On behalf of the Scientific Committee, I am delighted to invite all of the academicians, researchers, clinical physiotherapists, physiotherapy students and other health professionals to attend the 9th IOPTMH conference in Athens, Greece, May 4-6, 2022.
The theme of this year, “Physiotherapy in mental health; what’s next?”, aims to share an insight into the higher-quality studies in this field, as well as to focus attention on recommendations, future trends and needs. It will also assist clinical physiotherapists to improve their knowledge by linking research and evidence-based practice, thus enabling them to provide their clients with high-quality services.
The current conference is characterised by many innovations such as:
- Invitation through Google Forms. It enables professionals to express their interest in participating as speakers, assisting us to develop the scientific program in a more targeted way.
- The proposed fields are primarily based on ICD-10, according to WHO’s suggestions. We believe that the remaining fields will be the foundation for promoting new ideas and strengthening the role of physiotherapists in treating the mentally ill.
- The “voice of patients” will acquaint us with the beliefs and experiences of individuals suffering from mental disorders enhancing person-centred care.
- The hybrid manner (physical presence and online monitoring) of the conference will help remote speakers and interested colleagues, who will not be able to travel to Athens that period, to participate and to connect to the global community.
For all the above reasons, I expect mass participation. Once again, I am delighted to invite you all to take part in this conference, submit your project until December 15th, 2021 and contribute to the conference’s grand success!
I look forward to seeing all of you next year in Athens and sharing new knowledge with us!
Sincerely,
Dr. Theodoros Chatzidamianos
Physiotherapist, MSc, PhD
Chair of IOPTMH 2022 Scientific Committee
Opening greeting by the President of IOPTMH
Dear colleagues,
Mental health has been largely ignored in many places around the world. It’s the pain you can’t see or touch that’s the most difficult to improve. It is our pleasure to bring the international community together in 2022 for the unique and well-established conference on mental health physiotherapy.
Given the COVID-19 pandemic, we are adopting innovative tools to keep up to date and communicate. New progress in information technology have made it possible to share information and stay connected. In order to better serve you in this new era, the International Organization of Physical Therapy in Mental Health (IOPTMH) has chosen to shift the congress from “face to face” to “hybrid,” which means that you will be able to attend remotely or on-site. This new way should substantially enhance your understanding while also allowing you to stay in touch with the IOPTMH and your international colleagues.
The conference’s theme is “Physiotherapy in Mental Health: What’s Next?” Given the COVID-19 pandemic and its significant impact on mental health, now is an appropriate moment for mental health physiotherapy to study and discuss the field’s next therapeutic strategies.
The congress’ scientific committee has put up an attractive program for both senior and junior clinicians and researchers that covers essential clinical topics in depth. Let’s broaden our mental health skills and work together to shape the future of physiotherapy.
I am looking forward to welcoming you to the 9th International Organization of Physical Therapy in Mental Health Conference, Athens 4-6 May 2022. There is no better time to share knowledge from either the comfort of our homes or in such a beautiful and historical location!
See you in May 2022!
Sincerely,
Daniel Catalan
President of IOPTMH
Welcome Letter of Minister of Health
Dear Attendees,
I am pleased to extend my warmest greetings to everyone attending the 9th International Conference of Physiotherapy in Psychiatry and Mental Health.
This gathering gives participants an opportunity to discuss the important role of Physiotherapy in Psychiatry and Mental Health. Physiotherapy is a service provided by physiotherapists individually and in groups for the development, maintenance and restoration of maximum mobility and functional capacity of a person throughout his life. More specifically, physiotherapists in mental health use both physical and psychologically oriented approaches to achieve lifestyle modifications that are personalized and achievable. These strategies push individuals toward independence and self-management of personal health and well-being.
I would like to commend the event organizers for increasing their actions for the integration of physiotherapy in mental health in order to lead us to the improvement of both physical and mental health as well as the experience of feelings of well-being by patients.
Please accept my best wishes for a productive conference.
Yours sincerely,
Athanasios Plevris
Minister of Health
Opening greeting by the Minister of Tourism
The organization of the International Conference IOPTMH 2022 constitutes a very important initiative for Greece. On the one hand, it is excellent scientific event organized by the “Physiotherapy in Mental Health” Department of the Panhellenic Association of Physiotherapists. On the other hand, It sends out a strong signal for our potential as a Conference destination. It worths noted that the Conference “9th IOPTMH 2022 CONFERENCE: Physiotherapy in Mental Health What’s the next?” will be attended by delegates from 125 countries.
With the thoughts in mind, I wholeheartedly welcome the work of the Conference under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism and wish good luck to the organizers and participants.
Vasileios Kikilias
Minister of Tourism
Opening greeting by the Deputy Minister of Health
I would like to welcome all the participants to the 9th Conference of the International Organization of Physical Therapy in Mental Health “Physiotherapy in mental health; What’s next”.
This year, Greece and specifically Athens has been granted the honor to host this biannual Conference that is exceptionally organized with the collaboration of the Greek scientific section “Physiotherapy in mental health” of PanHellenic Physiotherapists’ Association.
This initiative provides the access to the latest scientific data in Physiotherapy in Mental Health.
During the pandemic the issue of mental health has become a focal point in global discussions. To take immediate actions our Prime Minister created a special portfolio dedicated to Mental Health to address the pandemic’s impact and to promote mental well-being.
To this direction, my aspiration is that Greece will also lead the way in promoting and consolidating the science of physiotherapy in mental health in the future at a pan-European level and in alignment with the international standards.
Zoe Rapti
Deputy Minister of Health of Greece
Opening greeting by the Secretary General for Greeks Abroad and Public Diplomacy
The 9th hybrid Conference organized by the International Organization of Physical Therapy in Mental Health will be held in Athens under the auspices of the General Secretariat for Greeks Abroad and Public Diplomacy. On behalf of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs I would like to offer to all participants a warm welcome.
In the post-COVID19 era, mental health will challenge the scientific community. Therefore, we support the idea of networking between Greek scientists from Greece and abroad, by starting with participating and sharing knowledge in this Conference.
Prof. John Chrysoulakis
Secretary General for Greeks Abroad and Public Diplomacy
Welcome letter by the Regional Governor of Attica
Dear Attendees,
Physiotherapists from around the world and Scientific Experts on Mental Health and Holistic Science,
Dear Members of the Panhellenic Physiotherapists’; Association,
It is with great pleasure that I welcome you in Attica to participate in this world conference that constitutes a leading scientific event in this place, our Attica, which gave birth to Psychosomatic Medicine and the cultivation of Mind and Body Philosophy as part of the sporting ideal, the welfare and well-being, as well as the Civilisation itself.
In recent years, the international scientific community has shepherded the notion that “there can be no Physical Health without Mental Health”, as is also admitted by the WHO itself. That principle also applies vice versa, as “there can be no Mental Health and Wellbeing without Physical Health and Wellness”. An interaction to which many hundreds of thousands of citizens in Greece as well as millions of people in the world are devoting great attention, in search of a better quality of life, whether severely ill patients, patients with mobility problems, those simply injured or the elderly.
I am pleased that the 9 th International Conference will convey valuable scientific conclusions on the role of physiotherapy in mental health, from Athens and Attica to the whole world. These conclusions should send a strong message about the importance of Psychosomatic Medicine, as taught by the great father of Medicine, the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates.
I wish you every success in your work and hope you have a pleasant stay in Attica, our place, which welcomes you during one of the most beautiful seasons of the year!
Dr George Patoulis
Regional Governor of Attica
President of the Medical Association of Athens
Opening greeting by the Mayor of Athens City
Opening greeting by the President of the Panhellenic Physiotherapists’ Association (P.PT.A)
In 2007, the “Panhellenic Physiotherapists’ Association” (P.PT.A) was established by a state legislation as a legal entity of public law, which is under the direct supervision of the Minister of Health.
In 2011, a Ministerial Decision gives to the P.PT.A. the possibility to establish Scientific Section, regulated by its administration. In 2014, it is founded by the P. PT. A the Scientific Section “Physiotherapy in Mental Health”, which until today has shown remarkable scientific work.
Following the persistent efforts of the P.PT.A administration in 2017, the Greek state, with its law, includes physiotherapists to professionals who provide mental health services.
For all of the above, we support the effort of the Scientific Section “Physiotherapy in Mental Health” to organizing the 9th IOPTMH Conference for 2022 and we are committed to promoting this important event to all physiotherapists in any available means
We waiting all of you at Athens, May 4-6 in 2022.
Petros Lymperidis
President of P.PT.A
Welcome Letter by the European Network of Active Living for Mental Health (ENALMH)
Dear colleagues,
Active living is a fundamental part of human nature and its link to optimal health and wellbeing can be traced back to ancient times.
One of the main goals of the ENALMH Network is the enrichment of the therapeutic procedures of mental health services.
I am sure that the scientific results of this congress in the field of Mental Health, will be the begging of our strong cooperation as a part of an integrated multidisciplinary holistic approach.
We invite all of you to participate at the 9th IOPTMH 2022 conference
Alexandros Oikonomou
Managing Board President
European Network of Active Living for Mental Health