On October 27-28, 2011, IDRAAC hosted the Burning Issues in Psychiatry Congress at the Phoenicia Hotel in Beirut, Lebanon. The event brought together leading international experts to discuss groundbreaking advancements in psychiatry, with a particular focus on bipolar disorders and temperament.

A highlight of the congress was the recognition of Professor Hagop Akiskal, director of the International Mood Center in San Diego, USA, and Chief Editor of the Journal of Affective Disorders. In honor of his exceptional contributions to psychiatry, Professor Akiskal, who is of Lebanese origin, was awarded the Medal of Health Merit (Golden Degree) by President Michel Sleiman. The award was presented by Health Minister Ali Hassan Khalil during the opening ceremony.

The congress featured an esteemed lineup of speakers, including:

• Professor Hagop Akiskal – A leading authority on mood disorders.
• Dr. Elie Hantouche – Director of CTAH (Anxiety and Mood Center, France) and a top expert in bipolar disorder and OCD.
• Dr. Elie Karam – Founder of IDRAAC and Chairman of the Department of Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology at St. George Hospital University Medical Center / Balamand University.
• Prof. William Coryell – Director of Inpatient Services, Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine.
• Dr. Eric Youngstrom – Professor of Psychology and Psychiatry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Acting Director of the Center for Excellence in Research and Treatment of Bipolar Disorder.
• Dr. Giulio Perugi – Professor of Clinical Psychology and Psychopharmacology at the University of Pisa, Italy, and Director of the Institute of Behavioral Sciences “G. De Lisio.”
• Prof. Andreas Erfurth – Head of Clinical Psychopharmacology and the Bipolar Spectrum Disorders Program, Medical University of Vienna, Austria.
• Prof. Zoltan Rihmer – Renowned expert in mood disorders.

The Burning Issues in Psychiatry Congress provided a platform for knowledge exchange, scientific debate, and collaboration among global leaders in mental health. It underscored IDRAAC’s commitment to advancing psychiatric research and improving mental health care both in Lebanon and worldwide.