"The child is the father of the man", an event to reflect on developmental psychopathology

On Thursday, 5 June 2025, a morning encounter on developmental psychopathology titled "The child is the father of the man" (W. Wordsworth) will be held at Teatro Centro Sociale of the OSC in Mendrisio. The encounter will focus on an evidence-based approach to mental health prevention, aligning with the Swiss Brain Health Plan. Prof. Andrea Raballo, Full Professor at the Faculty of Biomedical Sciences at Università della Svizzera italiana (USI), is responsible for organising the event.

The conference aims to emphasise the importance of childhood and adolescence in shaping adult identity. Numerous studies have shown that psychological distress often begins in the earliest stages of human development.

Below is the line-up for the morning

• 08:30 Welcome and greetings by State Councillor Raffaele De Rosa and OSC Director Daniele Intraina
• 09:00 Introduction: "The Child is the Father of Man" and the Swiss Brain Health Plan (Prof. Andrea Raballo, Professor of Psychiatry, Università della Svizzera italiana, Responsible for Academic Training and Research OSC, Co-chair of the Section for the Prevention of Mental Disorders of the EPA, Member of the Board of IEPA) - Early Intervention in Mental Health; Prof. Claudio Bassetti (video greeting), Professor of Neurology and Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Bern, Chair of the Swiss Brain Health Plan and member of the EOC Board of Directors)
• 09:15 Predicting and preventing severe mental disorders: future research direction and clinical implications (Prof. Ian Kelleher, Full Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Edinburgh and Academy of Medical Sciences Professor. Adjunct Professor c/o University College Dublin and University of Oulu)
• 10:45 Coffee break
• 11:15 Collaborative brainstorming: mental health 0-25. Alexia Aldini, Head Doctor SMP and future Care Unit for Minors OSC; Claudia Cavadini, Psychologist SMP Mendrisio; Edo Carrasco, Director Fondazione il Gabbiano; Gian Paolo Conelli, Director Fondazione Amilcare; Marco Galli, Head of the Office for the Support of Organisations and Activities for Families and Youths (UFaG); Fabiola Gnesa, Juvenile Magistrate and Ilario Lodi, Regional Pro Juventute responsible. Alessandra Maffioli, RSI journalist, will moderate the panel discussion
• 12:30 Preventive psychiatry and developmental psychopathology (Prof. Andrea Raballo)
• 12:45 Summary and Q&A from the audience
• 13:00 Closing of proceedings

The event is part of the OSC's new transdisciplinary training structure: Quadrant Guided Education in Mental Sciences (OSC QUAD GEMS).

You can register for the event until 2 June 2025 using the form available at the following link (registration required).