Annual Conference Call for Proposals
The Conference brings together thousands of people – MHA affiliates, peers, providers, government officials, media, advocates, and supporters from across the country and globe. Past speakers have included musicians Michelle Williams and Andy Grammer, author Ibram X. Kendi, Congressman Jamie Raskin, World Champion medalist swimmer Allison Schmitt, soccer star Abby Womback, and other recognized advocates in the mental health field.
Call for Workshop Proposals
The call for proposals deadline has passed.
Notification of Acceptance: Jan. 31, 2023
To be considered, workshop presentations must:
- Align with our conference themes.
- Be interactive, thought-provoking, and action-oriented.
- Allow time for group discussion.
- Fit within a 60-minute timeframe, with 45 minutes for presenting and 15 minutes for audience Q&A.
- Be conducted with no more than three presenters.
- Be able to be delivered in person in Washington, D.C., during June 8-10, 2023.
*Please note: all sessions will be closed captioned in English.
All sessions will be conducted in person.
We are looking for presentations related to the following topics:
- Youth and Young Adults: Creating solutions in partnership with young people.
- Social Determinants of Mental Health (SDOMH): Identifying, responding, and understanding the SDOMH and their impact on health equity.
- Continuum of Prevention: Promoting well-being, preventing illness, increasing resilience, and fostering recovery.
- Crisis Response: Responding to mental health crises and deaths of despair, 988 implementation, and new pathways in harm reduction.
- Recovery and Resilience: Promoting the role of peer support, substance use and recovery, the power of lived experience, and storytelling.
- Innovation: Exploring emerging trends in mental health treatment and well-being promotion, including digital mental health support, alternative therapies, the role of the metaverse, spirituality, and more.
Sample presentation titles
These are samples only, and NOT indicative of the final agenda.
- Addressing social determinants upstream, a prevention approach
- Overcoming barriers to your community’s 988 implementation
- Does language really matter?
- Disability justice: A framework for access and inclusion
- Opportunities and setbacks in digital therapeutics
- Collective healing: Caring for first responders post COVID-19
- Managing the gaps: Training your workforce for culturally responsive care
Please note: Workshop attendance can be anywhere from 20–100 people per session. MHA will do its best to ensure each session is full but cannot guarantee a specific headcount.
As a speaker representing MHA, you agree to be respectful of all attendees, speakers, volunteers, organizers, and hotel staff. Discrimination or bullying of any kind will not be tolerated.
Speakers are required to attend one 30-minute meeting with an assigned session moderator in the weeks prior to the event.
Workshops will be livestreamed to a virtual audience. Presentation format should accommodate and engage both virtual and in-person attendees. Speakers will need to stay in view of the camera and on-microphone for the duration of their presentations.
By submitting a proposal for consideration, you agree that if selected, you will be available to speak at any time during June 8-10, 2023.
MHA will accept online applications only. The webform is the preferred submission method. If you have trouble completing the form, please email events@mhanational.org with questions. The webform will prompt applicants to submit biographies, session descriptions, and learning objectives with contact information for every speaker. Incomplete applications will NOT be reviewed.
The process to accept workshops is very selective. There are a very limited number of slots available, and the final decision is at the discretion of MHA.
- Acknowledgment: Upon receipt of your submission, you will receive an email confirmation.
- Notification: All applicants will be notified about the status of their submission by January 31, 2023.
- Follow Up: If accepted, presenters will receive a free conference registration and are welcome to attend the entire conference, including meals, receptions, and plenary events for June 8-10, 2023.
Please note: All workshop presenters are responsible for all travel-related expenses, including transportation and hotel accommodations. Do not submit a proposal if you cannot accept responsibility for travel-related expenses. Speakers will have access to MHA‘s room block at the Hyatt Regency Washington Capitol Hill at a discounted rate.