18/04/2026
A One-Day Exclusive Conference for Early Career Mental Health Professionals was organized under the 16th International Conference of the Pakistan Psychological Association (PPA) in collaboration with the Institute of Clinical Psychology (ICP), University of Karachi. The conference was held on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at the Institute of Clinical Psychology, Karachi. The event aimed to provide a dynamic platform for emerging psychologists and mental health practitioners to engage with contemporary challenges and professional practices in the field.
The conference commenced with an Inaugural Session setting the stage for meaningful dialogue and knowledge exchange among participants. The session was moderated by *Ms. Fatima Zia,* Teaching Associate at Institute of Clinical Psychology (ICP), University of Karachi. Prof. Dr. Sobia Aftab, Director, Institute of Clinical Psychology, University of Karachi & PPA Executive Member formally welcomed the Esteemed Guests and Participants and expressed her sincere gratitude to all institutions and stakeholders for their support and participation in the event. The conference was honored by the presence of distinguished guests, including *Prof. Dr. Rafia Rafique, President of the Pakistan Psychological Association, and Prof. Dr. Farrukh Z. Ahmad, President of the FZA Trust of Clinical Psychology, Karachi, as Guests of Honor.
This was followed by “Thematic Talks Sessions” featuring talks by Early Career Mental Health Professionals & Educationists from leading Universities across Sindh including: Department of Psychology, University of Karachi, Bahria University, Federal Urdu of Arts, Science and Technology, DHA Suffa University, Muhammad Ali Jinnah University, SZABIST University, The Aga Khan University, Institute of Business Administration (IBA), and University of Sindh, Jamshoro. The session was moderated by Ms. Anita & Ms. Afia Ibrahim, Teaching Assistants at the Institute of Clinical Psychology, University of Karachi. The session commenced with insightful discussions highlighting the importance of resilience-building, coping strategies, and recovery-oriented approaches in addressing the growing mental health challenges in crisis-affected contexts. Speakers emphasized the critical role of early career professionals in advancing mental health services, promoting psychological well-being, and contributing to evidence-based practices.
The conference also featured a Scientific Session where emerging researchers presented their work aligned with the conference theme. The scientific session was moderated by Ms. Riffat Iqbal and Ms. Fatima Zia, Teaching Associate at the Institute of Clinical Psychology, University of Karachi. These presentations provided a valuable platform for early career professionals to share research findings, innovative practices, and evidence-based approaches for strengthening mental health response in crisis-driven contexts
The conference provided a valuable opportunity for students, researchers, and practitioners to connect, learn, and share knowledge, fostering professional growth and collaboration. It also served as a significant component of the broader 16th International Conference of PPA, reinforcing the commitment to strengthening mental health systems and supporting the next generation of psychological professionals in Pakistan.
