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Register Now for Uruguay 2026
Registration is now open for the 2026 IAC Global Conference in Punta del Este, Uruguay, November 20–22, at the stunning Solanas Vacation Club. IAC is honoured to be collaborating with Edhuca, which is committed to ensuring that this conference embodies a strong human connection. Visit the Edhuca conference website to learn about speakers, program, venue and more.
It's Not Too Late! Help Shape Climate Responsive Counselling There is still time to join IAC in a research study in partnership with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA) and the Open University (OU). Your participation in this survey, which will focus on collaborating on climate responsive counseling in the face of global impact, will support further collaboration and resources, as well as identify areas for future research. Learn more.
Regional Committee Updates
IAC is delighted to share recent regional developments across both IAC-Africa and IAC-Europe, where committee appointments and elections have taken place. The following individuals are now commencing their roles. We thank them for their commitment and dedication and wish them every success in their new positions. IAC-AFRICA
- President: Nadine van Rensburg - Republic of South Africa
- Vice President: Emmanuel Gitta- Uganda
- Secretary: Roti Molebatsi - Republic of South Africa
- Vice Secretary: Naome Atwina - Uganda
Committee Volunteer Leadership
- Advocacy & Outreach Committee Lead: Emmanuel Gitta
- Research Committee & Counseling Standards Lead: Thelma Majela
- Education & Ethics Committee Lead: Shupikae Zebron
- Executive Governance Committee Lead: Nadine van Rensburg
- Funding & Finance Committee Lead: Currently Vacant/Applications awaited
IAC-EUROPE
- Chairperson: Lisa Molloy - Ireland
- Vice-Chairperson: Anna Ballesteros-Urpi - Spain
IAC at the American Counseling Association Conference
IAC was delighted to represent our members at the outstanding American Counseling Association (ACA) Annual Conference & Expo, in Columbus, Ohio, April 9–11. The event provided a valuable opportunity to connect with ACA leadership, including Brian Banks, the new ACA CEO, as well as the NBCC leadership, who generously shared their exhibit booth space with IAC. We also had the pleasure of engaging with leaders from several other organizations, including IRCEP, AARC, and the Korean Counseling Association. Learn more.
Global Mental Health Articles for IAC Members
Did you know? IAC's International Journal for the Advancement of Counselling, free to our members, promotes the exchange of information about counselling activities throughout the world. Topics include theory, practice, counsellor education, supervision, specific populations, and more. Read a recent article on how cross-border collaboration among mental health educators contributes to addressing global mental health issues to advance the professionalization of counseling.
An Integrated Mental Health System in Iran
A shortage of mental health practitioners and escalating violence in Iran have led to widespread psychological burdens. One programme, however, seems to be making an impact. Iran has been using a system of integrated mental health and social care that the World Health Organization (WHO) recently deemed innovative and replicable on a global scale. The system involves a multi-disciplinary three-tiered approach including frontline detection, specialized support, and community action.
Near Half of Young Adults across 8 Countries Report Loneliness
A recent study across eight countries reported around four in ten adults reported feeling lonely, with nearly one in two in the 18-24 age range. People who reported loneliness had almost three times the likelihood of depression and almost four times the likelihood of anxiety. The United Nations World Health Organization's Commission on Social Connection, established in 2023 and culminating later this year, has prioritized loneliness as a global public health priority. Read their report, From Loneliness to Social Connection, here. Learn more about the loneliness epidemic causes and solutions here.
Fighting Social Media Addiction
According to the last article above, nearly 75% of people surveyed cited technology as a factor in loneliness in the United States. And at the end of last month, a jury in a landmark lawsuit found major social media companies liable for addictive design features that impacted mental health, paving the way for thousands more lawsuits. Learn about some of the impacts to adolescents and how to support young people with healthy social media routines in a recent article from the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy.
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