Beyond Borders: Global Mental Health Research and Services Conference Now Accepting Proposals

The School of Social Work Beyond Borders: Global Mental Health Research and Services Conference is now accepting proposals! You’re invited to submit original and creative proposals that help improve the ways that we think about global mental health and community wellbeing. A wide range of submissions are welcomed, including traditional scholarly abstracts as well as creative formats such as artwork, poetry, music, short films, digital storytelling, and other multimedia presentations.

This conference aims to create a collaborative space where people with lived experience, caregivers, community members, artists, advocates, service providers, traditional healers, and researchers can learn from one another.

Proposals are due May 31, 2026. The conference will be held virtually on October 8 and 9, 2026.

Find out more about the conference and how to submit your proposal on the conference website.

Register Now for Beyond Borders: Global Mental Health Research and Services Conference

The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is excited to invite you to our premiere Beyond Borders: Global Collaborations for Mental Health Research and Services Conference on October 9 and 10, 2025 in Champaign, Illinois. Coinciding with World Mental Health Day, our theme is: From local to global, encouraging creative solutions to transcultural mental health challenges. This two-day event will bring together leaders, researchers, practitioners, and people with lived experience from the local Champaign-Urbana community and around the world.

Updates:

  • Artists are invited to submit work for our exhibit and conference banner.
  • Travel funding is available for participants from low and middle income countries. You do not need to be a speaker to apply.
  • Registration is FREE and sessions are available online and in-person.
  • Continuing Education credits are available.
  • A FREE light breakfast and lunch is included.
School of Social Work
1010 W. Nevada Street
Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 333-2261
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