The Greek Carers Network EPIONI successfully held its 9th conference, dedicated to the theme “Caregivers and Depression”, on Friday, September 11, 2026. The event took place at Metropolitan College in Thessaloniki (46 Egnatia Street) and was met with strong interest and active participation from the public.

 

Organizing informative events is a core component of EPIONI’s mission. Through such initiatives, experienced healthcare professionals address a wide range of concerns, focusing particularly on the daily psychological and practical challenges faced by caregivers of individuals living with chronic illness or disability.

The conference opened with welcoming remarks by Spyros Zorbas, President of the Board of EPIONI; Eleni Antoniadou, Authorized Municipal Councilor of the Municipality of Thessaloniki; Ioanna Saltsidou, Psychologist at the Workers’ Support Day Center “IASIS | At Work”; and Georgia Liarakou, Social Worker at the International Society of Mental Health Services (I.S.M.H.S. / Δ.Ε.Υ.Ψ.Υ.).

The scientific program featured a comprehensive range of presentations:

  • Vaia Barba (MPA, MA, Social Worker, Social Policy Department, Municipality of Nea Zichni): “Home Alone: The Cost of Caregiving on Social Life.”

  • Theodora Paraskevopoulou (Psychologist, Community Center of the Municipality of Thessaloniki – Central-Eastern Sector): “Caregivers Through the Lens of a Social Service.”

  • Maria Engiazarova (Psychologist – Psychotherapist): “Depression in Caregivers of Patients with Dementia.”

  • Maria Toumpalidou (Psychologist, AUTh – Systemic Psychotherapist): “From Depression to the Positive Side of Caregiving: When Caregiving Becomes a Source of Meaning and Strength.”

  • Dr. Theodoros Koutsomitros (Psychiatrist – Psychotherapist, Director of the European Psychotherapy Institute SynaΨe, Founder and Director of the Greek rTMS Clinic): “Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS): A New Medical Treatment Changing Psychiatric Practice.”

  • Marilia Barka (Psychology Student, Kapa3 Volunteer): “Caregiver Burden in Cancer Care: The Psychological Dimension of Caregiving and the Need for Integrated Psychosocial Support.”

  • Eleftheria Psillou (Co-founder, Blue Butterfly Labs): “Theon: Artificial Intelligence for Caregivers.”

  • Savvato Mavridou (Psychologist at the Drama Day Care Center for the Elderly, Thalpos Mental Health): “When Caregiving Exhausts: From Guilt to Self-Care.”

Certificates of attendance were provided to in-person participants.

Auspices and Collaborations The conference was held under the auspices of:

  • The Municipality of Thessaloniki

  • The Hellenic Psychiatric Association

  • The Greek Brain Council

The event was organized in collaboration with Alzheimer Hellas, IASIS, Thalpos Mental Health, I.S.M.H.S. (Δ.Ε.Υ.Ψ.Υ.), and Kapa3.

Acknowledgments EPIONI extends its sincere gratitude to I.S.M.H.S., Thalpos, and IASIS for their valuable partnership.

Special thanks are also extended to the sponsors, Saronikos Nephrology Center and Pharmaserve-Lilly, as well as to the media sponsors, dailypharmanews.gr, psychologynow.gr, and iatronet.gr, for their support in communicating the event.