On 24 - 25 January, the KMMS Psychiatry Society hosted the National Student Psychiatry Conference at the University of Kent. The event “Mind the Gap – Bridging the Brain, Body, and Society”, brought together students, educators, and clinicians from across the UK for a vibrant programme of workshops, keynote talks and interactive sessions.
The conference was the first student‑led national conference held at KMMS, a milestone in the school’s history. The conference was buzzing with high energy throughout the weekend, with attendees praising the quality of the programme, the welcoming environment, and the exceptional leadership demonstrated by the KMMS students. Students travelled from across the UK to be part of the weekend and more than 25 universities and programmes were represented.
As he opened the conference Professor Chris Holland, Founding Dean of KMMS said:
The World Health Organisation projects a shortage of 11 million healthcare workers worldwide by 2030, and mental health services are disproportionately affected. This is precisely why the mission at KMMS to improve the pipeline of workforce into mental health is so critical and why we are delighted to be hosting this conference. We’re not just training doctors for Kent and Medway, we’re contributing to addressing a global healthcare crisis. Every student we inspire to consider psychiatry, every clinician we equip to integrate mental health into their practice regardless of specialty, represents progress toward meeting that need.
Across a weekend of tightly packed talks and workshops, KMMS staff, students, and guest speakers collaborated to highlight the rich variety of careers and perspectives within psychiatry.
The conference also featured a highly competitive abstract competition, celebrating outstanding student research from across the UK.
The winner of the Poster Presentation category was Ka Ki Dorothy Ku (Y3) and Lavan Muraleedharan (Y4) from King’s College London for their work, “A Narrative Review on Somatic Experiencing.”
The Oral Presentation prize was awarded to Isobel Cammish (Y3) from the University of Oxford for her project, “Physical and Psychological Effects of a 30-minute Session of Exercise in Virtual Reality.”
Organising the event showcased the talent and professionalism of our students and also placed KMMS firmly on the map within the national psychiatry education community.
Sophie and Keiru, the Co-hosts of the conference, reflected on their experience:
Organising the National Student Psychiatry Conference was an incredibly rewarding experience, allowing us to promote psychiatry within KMMS, connect with students and speakers from across the UK, and collaborate closely as a team. We developed a wide range of skills, from leadership and teamwork to merchandise design and organising an abstract competition, which we will carry forward in our careers. A massive thank you to all the students and staff who joined us at the NSPC!
Among the many positive comments received, one attendee shared a reflection that speaks to the impact of the weekend:
Everything ran smoothly, the programme was engaging throughout, and the atmosphere felt welcoming from the moment we arrived. The quality of the speakers and the panel was outstanding. Every single person brought something thoughtful and valuable, and the openness of some of the discussions made the sessions feel meaningful rather than just informative… As a second-year medical student who does not have much formal exposure to psychiatry until later in the course, this conference was especially impactful for me. It made psychiatry feel more accessible, exciting, and very human, and it has genuinely reinforced my interest in the specialty – Nathan (University of Bristol, Year 2)
The conference was made possible through the generous support of several partners and sponsors, including the Royal College of Psychiatrists, the RCPsych Southeast Division, Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust, the KMMS Research Division (CATO), and the British Medical Association.
A huge well done to our students for this impressive achievement, and sincere thanks to all KMMS staff whose support helped make the conference such a success.