The College of Medicine at the University of Baghdad organized an educational and awareness-raising seminar entitled “Mental Disorders in Children and Adolescents” on Sunday, 22 February 2026. The seminar was aimed at the College’s administrative staff and academic faculty and was held as part of the activities of the Continuing Education Unit, in cooperation with the Department of Internal Medicine.
The seminar was presented by Professor Dr. Mushtaq Talib Al-Hijami, a faculty member at the College, in collaboration with Dr. Saba Munther Ibrahim, a specialist fellow in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at the Child Protection Hospital. The speakers addressed several key scientific topics related to the mental health of children and adolescents.
The seminar aimed to raise awareness of the major mental disorders affecting children and adolescents and to introduce contemporary approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of such conditions. It also highlighted some of the most prevalent mental disorders in Iraq and discussed their psychological and social implications for children, families, and society.
The speakers provided a detailed discussion of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), highlighting key clinical signs that families should be attentive to, including limited eye contact, delayed speech development, and repetitive or stereotyped behaviors. They emphasized the importance of early diagnosis and timely referral to a specialized physician in order to facilitate appropriate intervention and achieve the best possible therapeutic outcomes.
The seminar also featured active participation from the attendees, who raised questions and contributed interventions focusing on appropriate family and educational approaches to supporting children with such conditions. Particular emphasis was placed on the importance of integrating medical, psychological, and social efforts to provide comprehensive care.
The seminar concluded with a series of recommendations emphasizing the need to consider the social and environmental factors that may affect children’s mental health. The recommendations also stressed the importance of seeking early consultation with a specialist when abnormal symptoms are observed, in addition to promoting sound psychological and physical health through a balanced diet, adequate sleep, and regular health monitoring of children.
This seminar forms part of the College of Medicine’s ongoing efforts to promote a culture of mental health awareness and to strengthen its academic and community-oriented role in addressing issues related to childhood and adolescence.
