INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON MENTAL HEALTH, ADDICTION & COMORBIDITIES (MHAC) 2026
Programme Details
Time | Programme | Venue |
08:00-08:30 | Registration and Breakfast | Wisma R&D Building, UM |
08.30-1230 | Three Parallel Pre-Conference Workshops | Levels 21-1, 21-2 and 21-3 |
12:30 | Workshop Evaluation and End of Pre-Conference Day | Respective Workshop Rooms |
Time |
Pre-Conference Workshop 1: Clinical Application and Advanced Management of Opioid Dependence Venue: Level 21-1 Wisma R&D Building, University Malaya (UM) |
08.00-0830 | Registration and opening by chairperson |
0830-0915 | Advanced Medication-Assisted Treatment for Opioid Dependence: Optimization, Relapse Prevention and Emerging Therapeutic Approaches |
0915- 1000 | Psychiatric Comorbidity in Opioid Dependence: Depression, Anxiety Disorders, Psychosis and Dual Diagnosis |
1000 -1015 | Break |
1015 -1100 | Management of Complex Cases in Opioid Dependence: Medical Comorbidities, Special Populations and Challenging Clinical Scenarios |
1100- 1145 | Naltrexone Implant in Addiction Medicine: Patient Selection, Clinical Outcomes and Future Directions |
1145-1230 | The Role of Enforcement in Ensuring Responsible Use of Controlled Medications: Pharmacist Regulations for Methadone and Suboxone. |
1230 -0100 | Wrapped Session /Lunch |
Time | Pre-Conference Workshop 2: Practical Mental Health Care in Primary Care: Recognition, Brief Intervention, Safe Treatment and Referral Venue: Level 21-2 Wisma R&D Building, University Malaya (UM) |
08.00-0830 | Registration and opening by chairperson |
0830-0915 | Mental Health in the Primary Care Consultation: Recognizing the Common and the Easily Missed |
0915- 1000 | From Symptoms to a Working Diagnosis: Rapid Assessment, Screening and Risk Stratification |
1000 -1015 | Break |
1015 -1100 | What Can I Do in a 10–15 Minute Consultation? Brief Psychosocial Interventions for Primary Care |
1100- 1145 | Psychopharmacology for the Primary Care Doctor: Start, Monitor, Switch or Refer? |
1145-1230 | The Difficult Mental Health Consultation: Crisis, Suicide Risk, Psychosis, Substance Use and When to Refer |
1230 -0100 | Wrapped Session /Lunch |
Time | Pre-Conference Workshop 3: Behavioural Therapy in Digital Addiction: From Assessment to Recovery-Oriented Care (En Khairul Razali, Psychology Officer, UMMC) Venue: Level 21-3 Wisma R&D Building, Universiti Malaya (UM) |
0800 – 0830 | Registration and opening by chairperson |
0830 – 1000 | Psychological Interventions in Internet and Gaming Addictions (Part 1: Cognitive Behaviour Therapy) |
1000 – 1015 | Break |
1015 – 1145 | Psychological Interventions in Internet and Gaming Addictions (Part 2: Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy) |
1145 – 1215 | Case Discussion & Closing Remarks |
1215 – 1300 | Wrapped Session /Lunch |
Main Conference Day 1 - Saturday, 28 November 2026
Time | Programme | Venue |
08:00-08:30 | Registration and Poster Mounting | Registration Area |
08:30-08:45 | Welcoming Remarks by the Host and Conference Chairperson | Main Auditorium |
08:45-09:30 | Plenary 1: Dual Diagnosis 2.0: Integrating Mental Illness, Substance Use, Behavioral Addictions and Physical Health
Speaker 1: Understanding Clinical Complexity: Assessment and Concurrent Treatment of Mental Health and Substance-Use Disorders (Professor Dr Mohamad Hussain Habil, Mahsa, Malaysia) Speaker 2: From Parallel Services to Coordinated Care: Building Effective Multidisciplinary Dual-Diagnosis Pathways (Associate Prof Dr Rusdi Abd Rashid, UM, Malaysia) |
Main Auditorium |
09:30-10:15 | Plenary 2: Emerging Nicotine Products in Mental Health and Addiction Care: Clinical Evidence and Public Health Perspectives
Speaker 1 (Public Health Perspective) Emerging Nicotine Products: Public Health, Policy and Population Perspectives (Prof Sharifah Ezat, Malaysia)
Speaker 2 (Clinical Perspective) Emerging Nicotine Products in Mental Health and Addiction Care: Clinical Evidence and Practice (Associate Prof Amer Siddiq Amer Nordin, UM, Malaysia) |
Main Auditorium |
10:15-10.45 | Plenary 3: Beyond the Silos: A Whole-Person and Whole-System Response to Mental Health, Addiction and Comorbidities – (Professor Dr Mustafa al'Absi, Minnesota, USA) |
Main Auditorium |
10:45-11:15 |
Official Launching, Morning Refreshments and Poster Viewing | Main Auditorium / Exhibition Area |
| Parallel Symposium Block I: Symposia 1 -3 |
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| Symposium 1: The Whole Person, Not the Diagnosis | Symposium 2: Growing Up Online: Youth Mental Health in the Digital Ecosystem | Symposium 3: Trauma, Family, Gender and Safeguarding |
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| 1. Concurrent and Coordinated Care Pathways for Mental Health and Substance-Use Comorbidity (Prof Dr Azhar Bin Salleh, MSU) | 1. Problematic Gaming, Social-Media Use and Behavioural Addiction Among Young People (Prof. Dr. Suzaily Binti Wahab, UKM) | 1. Addiction and War in Iran in 2006: Psychological and Social Consequences of Conflict, (Assoc Prof. Dr.Tahereh Seghatoleslam, Tehran, Iran) |
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| 2. Cardiometabolic Disease, Obesity and Premature Mortality in Severe Mental Illness (Dr. Julian Wong Joon, UM) | 2. Cyberbullying, Online Harassment and Exposure to Harmful Digital Content (Associate Professor Sharon Lilian How, MAHSA) | 2. Adverse Childhood Experiences, Mental Illness and Substance-Use Vulnerability (Dr Siti Aminah, MOH) |
Main Auditorium / Breakout Rooms 1-2 |
11:15-12:15 |
(Dr Nur Afiqah Mohd Salleh, UM)
Chairperson: Dr Julian Wong Joon, UM |
(Assoc Prof Dr. Azwanis Binti Abdul Hadi, IIUM)
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Chairperson: Dr Gan Yi xian,UM |
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12:15-13.00 | Plenary 4: Artificial Intelligence and Digital Mental Health: Innovation, Bias, Privacy and Human Oversight
Speaker 1:
Transforming Mental Healthcare: Artificial Intelligence, Digital Therapeutics and Data-Driven Clinical Support (Professor Dr Suzaily Binti Wahab,UKM, Malaysia) Speaker 2:
Responsible for Digital Mental Health: Addressing Bias, Privacy, Safety and Clinical Accountability (Dr Faizul Hasan, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand)
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Main Auditorium | ||
13:00-14:00 | Sponsored Lunch Symposium – Novo Nordisk Pharma | Dining Room/ Exhibition Area | ||
14:00-14:45 | Plenary Forum 1
Evolving Addiction Challenges in Malaysia, New Drug Trends, Clinical Impacts and Public Health Responses
Moderator: Associate Professor Sharon Lilian How, MAHSA, Malaysia
Panelist:
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Main Auditorium | ||
14:45-15:45 | Parallel Symposium Block II: Symposia 4-6 |
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| Symposium 4: Mental Health at Work: Beyond Individual Resilience
(En Khairul Razali, Psychology Officer, UMMC)
Health Risks (Ms. Sharifah Sarah Zehan,MyMFT)
(Dr Zuraida binti Ahmad Sabki, Selgate Hospital )
Chairperson: (En Khairul Razali, Psychology Officer, UMMC) | Symposium 5: Recovery Capital, Peer Support and Social Prescribing
(Dr Siti Idayu Hassan, UM)
Chairperson: Dr Patrick Micheal Dsouza ,UM
| Symposium 6: Mental Health, Addiction, Justice and Human Rights
(Mr. Palani Narayanan, Drug Policy program Malaysia)
Balancing Public Safety, Confidentiality, Patient Rights and Clinical Responsibility (Dr Mohd Fadzli Bin Mohamad Isa , MOH)
Chairperson: A/P Rusdi Abd Rashid,UM |
Main Auditorium / Breakout Rooms 1-2 |
15:45-16:45 | Afternoon Refreshments, Networking and Poster Viewing | Exhibition Area | ||
16:45 | End of Day 1 |
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Main Conference Day 2 - Sunday, 29 November 2026
Time | Programme | Venue | ||
08:00-08:30 | Registration and Networking | Registration Area | ||
08:30-09:15 | Plenary 5: From Hospital to Community: Redesigning Mental Health and Addiction Services Around People’s Lives
Speaker 1: Continuity Beyond Discharge: Recovery-Oriented Care, Peer Support and Community Reintegration (Professor Dr Zahra Binti Saad, Malaysia)
Speaker 2: Community-Based Mental Health and Addiction Care: Strengthening Primary Care, Outreach and Early Intervention (A/P Dr Mohd Nazri Bin Mohd Daud, Malaysia) |
Main Auditorium | ||
09:15-10:00 | Plenary 6: The New Determinants of Mental Health: Loneliness, Digital Life, Work, Climate and Economic Insecurity
Speaker 1: Mental Health in a Changing Social World: Loneliness, Digital Life and the Future of Work. (Dr Era Chatur, Indonesia)
Speaker 2: Mental Well-Being Under Pressure: Climate Change, Economic Insecurity and Social Inequality. (Associate Prof. Dr. Azmawaty Binti Mohamad Nor, Malaysia) |
Main Auditorium | ||
10:00-10:30 | Morning Refreshments and Poster Viewing | Exhibition Area | ||
10:30-11:30 | Parallel Symposium Block III: Symposia 7-9 |
Main Auditorium / Breakout Rooms 1-2 | ||
| Symposium 7: Integrating Mental Health into Primary and Community Care
1. Early Identification and Management of Common Mental Disorders in Primary Care (Dr Norli Binti Abdul Jabbar,MOH) |
Symposium 8: Emerging and Personalized Treatments in Mental Healthcare
1.Measurement-Based Care and Routine Outcome Monitoring in Clinical Practice | Oral Presentation:
1. 2.
3. | |
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(Dr Mohd Shahril wang– MEGA)
Chairperson: Dr Gan Yi xian,UM | (Adjunct Professor Dr Prem Kumar Shanmugam, Solace Asia)
(A/Prof Aida Syarinaz- UM)
(Dr Hemavathi Shanmugam-UM)
Chairperson: Dr Patrick Micheal Dsouza,UMM | 4.
5. 6. |
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11:30-12:30 | Plenary Forum 2 New Psychoactive Substances and Vaping: Emerging Threats, Clinical Challenges and Public Health Responses Moderator: Dr Ruzmayuddin bin Mamat, Kuliyyah of Pharmacy, IIUM Panelist:
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12:30-13:00 | Poster Judging and Networking | Exhibition Area |
13:00-14:00 | Sponsored Lunch Symposium – Zuelligh Pharma | Dining Room/Exhibition Area |
14:00-15:00 | Closing Plenary: From Conference to Action: Developing the Kuala Lumpur Mental Health, Addiction and Comorbidity Agenda 2026
Speaker 1 From Fragmented Care to Coordinated Action: Strengthening Mental Health and Addiction Services (Associate Prof Dr Rusdi Abd Rashid, UM, Malaysia)
Speaker 2 From Clinic to Community: Turning Mental Health and Addiction Plans into Local Action (Associate Prof Dr Nazri bin Daud,UMS ,Malaysia) |
Main Auditorium |
15:00-15:30 | Closing Scientific Session, Kuala Lumpur Action Agenda, Awards and Closing | Main Auditorium |
15:30 | End of Conference | Main Auditorium |
*CPD points will be awarded to participants.
Poster presentation
Guideline for poster submissions
Submission Deadline: 15 October 2026
• Poster size: Maximum 55 cm × 85 cm
• Poster board: 1 m × 2 m
• Poster must be one single sheet, laminated or professionally printed.
• Content must be legible from approximately 2 meters.
• Presenters must be present during the designated Poster Session.
• Bring your own adhesive Velcro and scissors for mounting.
• No drawing pins, staples, sticky pads or other adhesives.
• Presenters are responsible for collecting their posters after the session.
Komune Living, Bangsar South (2.9 KM to UM)
Strategically located at the intersection of KL and PJ, Komune Living is easily accessible via major highways and well served by public transportation. You’re also just minutes away to must-see attractions and tourist landmarks in Malaysia’s capital city. How to find us? To give you a simple perspective, we have KL Gateway Mall on our left, Novum on our right, TM tower across the Federal Highway from us, and The Vertical, Bangsar South right behind us.
For more info please click here https://bangsarsouth.komuneliving.com/location
Wyndham Grand, Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur (2.4 KM to UM)
Your Grand Stay Awaits in the Heart of Kuala Lumpur. Step into spacious guest rooms and suites designed with contemporary style and warm sophistication, complemented by breathtaking city views. Indulge in exceptional dining experiences at our signature restaurants, unwind at the stylish lobby lounge, or stay active at our fully equipped fitness center and outdoor pool.
For more info please click here https://wyndhamgrandbangsarkl.com.my/
Signature Hotel, Bangsar South (2.7 KM to UM)
Good value for money for short stays or budget travel. Signature Hotel at Bangsar South places solo travelers in a lively Mid Valley/Bangsar district with upscale dining, nightlife and fast links to KL’s business hubs. Spacious rooms feature private balconies or terraces, in-room safes, refreshing showers and plush towels; select rooms showcase city views. Guests benefit from 24-hour room service and discreet security, a shuttle for easy transfers, plus free parking and nearby LRT Kerinchi for quick trips to Bangsar, Pantai Hospital and Mid Valley Megamall—all under 1 km for extensive shopping and dining options.
For more info please click here https://signature-at-bangsar-south.hotels-kualalumpur.com/en/
Rumah Universiti @ University Malaya
Located within the University Malaya campus, Rumah Universiti @ University Malaya is a convenient accommodation choice for students, visiting lecturers, families, medical travelers, and business guests seeking easy access to Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya. Guests can enjoy excellent connectivity to major destinations including Mid Valley Megamall, Bangsar, Petaling Jaya, and Kuala Lumpur City Centre. Whether travelling for healthcare, education, business, or leisure, guests will appreciate the property's central location and peaceful surroundings.
For more info please click here https://www.trip.com/hotels/kuala-lumpur-hotel-detail-125760561/rumah-universiti-university-malaya/
Last Update: 07/10/2026
