On June 22, 2024, the 10th China Geriatric Medicine and Technology Innovation Conference sponsored by the Chinese Geriatric Society was successfully held in Yantai. During the conference, the Psychiatry and Mental Health Branch of the Chinese Geriatric Society (hereinafter referred to as the "Branch") successfully held a sub-forum with the theme of "Whole-process Management of mental and mental health in the elderly: Concept and practice", and conducted in-depth discussions on the whole-process management plan of mental and mental health in the elderly and the construction of the discipline of geriatric psychiatry.

The forum kicked off with a wonderful speech by Professor Wang Huali, President of the Branch and the Sixth Hospital of Peking University. The first half of the forum was co-chaired by Professor An Cuixia, Vice President of the Branch and the First Hospital of Hebei Medical University, and Professor Liu Sha, Standing Committee and General Director of the Branch and the First Hospital of Shanxi Medical University. Five experts gave insights on the theme "Emotions and Cognition in Old Age" and shared relevant research progress: Professor Zhang Qiujian, chief editor of Practical geriatric Psychological Care, discussed the development trend and significance of geriatric psychological care, Professor Wang Huali-hui, president of the branch, elaborated the progress of AD biomarker research and the change of clinical diagnosis and treatment path, Professor Zhang Xiong Rong, Standing Committee of the Branch and Nanjing Brain Hospital, reported in detail the clinical application and research progress of electroconvulsive therapy in geriatric mental diseases. Professor Ren Feng of Peking University Shougang Hospital, member of the Sub-committee, explained the psychological intervention methods of elderly depression in detail, and Professor Liu Sha, Standing Committee member and general director of the Sub-Committee, introduced the research and development progress of anti-dementia drugs, especially disease-modifying drugs.

The second half of the forum focused on the sharing of experience in the construction of geriatric psychiatry and the exchange of practical experience in memory clinic. Professor Sun Zhenghai of Qiqihar Medical College, Member of the Standing Committee of the Sub-Committee, presided over the experience sharing session on the construction of geriatric psychiatry. Three directors of geriatric psychiatry, including Zhao Kunpeng of Henan Mental Health Center, Yao Ye of Dalian Seventh People's Hospital and Fan Yong of Qingdao Mental Health Center, shared their valuable experience in the construction of the department. Professor An Cuixia and Professor Wang Hualian made in-depth comments on the shared content, and gave guidance to the construction of geriatric psychiatry. Professor Zhang Ming of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Member of the Standing Committee and Deputy Director General of the Branch, presided over the experience sharing session of the memory clinic. Four discipline leaders, including Committee member Li Jianfeng, Director of the Medical Department of Hebei Sixth People's Hospital, Chen Qiang, Jilin Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Ling Yun, Guizhou Second People's Hospital, and Zhang Zhiyan, Huaian Third People's Hospital, shared their practical experience in memory clinic work. Professor Li Tao, Committee member of the Committee, and Professor Zhang Xiong Rong, Standing Committee member, made professional comments. It also provides valuable suggestions on how to better carry out the work of memory clinic.

This sub-forum attracted the active participation of more than 100 professionals in the field of mental health of the elderly. Professor Liu Sha pointed out in the summary of the meeting that this sub-forum not only displayed the latest research results in the field of geriatric mental health, but also shared valuable experience in the construction of geriatric psychiatry and memory clinic. This not only builds a platform for communication and learning for colleagues in the field of geriatric psychiatry, but also provides practical demonstration and reference for the construction and development of the discipline of geriatric psychiatry. She encourages everyone to learn from each other and contribute to the prosperity of geriatric psychiatry and mental health.

(Written by: Branch Secretariat, reviewed by: Huali Wang and Donghui Wu)