I recently attended the South African Association for Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Allied Professionals (SA‑ACAPAP) Biennial Congress, a gathering that brings together Psychiatrists, Psychologists, allied health professionals, researchers, families, and organisations committed to strengthening child, adolescent, and family mental health. The congress offered a rich mix of sessions, workshops, and networking opportunities designed to spark meaningful discussion and inspire fresh ideas. It was an energising space to share knowledge, deepen existing partnerships, and build new connections that will help advance the field.

A highlight for me was presenting my poster on the psychometric evaluation of the WHO’s Global Scales for Early Development (GSED), an early childhood developmental (ECD) measure—an honour made even more special when it was awarded second place.

Stay tuned for the study manuscript, which I hope to publish in the near future.

Conference website: 2026 SA-ACAPAP Website