– Kynsai Kharkongor

The sixth edition of the International Conference on Counselling and Psychotherapy (ICCP 2026) concluded in Bengaluru on January 9, bringing together 550 delegates from 11 countries for discussions on mental health in a digitising world.

Organised by Montfort College and the Institute of Advanced Studies, Bengaluru, in association with the Centre for Diversity in Counselling and Psychotherapy at University of Toronto and the Neuropathways Institute, Bengaluru, the three-day conference focused on the theme “Building Bridges in the Digital Era”.

The event examined how technological change is reshaping counselling practice, education systems and psychological wellbeing. Organisers said the conference was among the largest in its history and recorded the highest number of female speakers to date.

The conference opened with a keynote by Mohan K. Issac, professor of psychiatry and former head of the department of psychiatry at National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences. He discussed the mental health effects of rapid technological change, noting rising internet use and the widespread presence of smartphones. Issac highlighted an increase in reported mental health problems among young people and called for stronger regulation and quality standards for digital mental health tools, as well as greater emphasis on digital resilience.

Student research formed a key part of the programme, with presentations from Christ University and PES University. One study found that positive teacher feedback improved self-esteem among adolescents, while discussions also highlighted gaps in policy-driven research on school counselling in India and the need for structured emergency mental health protocols in educational institutions.

Sessions on the final day explored the impact of social media and artificial intelligence on student wellbeing. Research presented at the conference linked social comparison on social media to lower psychological wellbeing and found that reliance on AI tools among students was often associated with concerns about evaluation and fear of errors.

Participants emphasised the need for closer integration between psychology and education to address challenges arising from digital transformation. Organisers said the conference’s findings, particularly student-led research, could inform future policy and institutional responses to emerging mental health concerns.

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