CALL FOR PRESENTATIONS

Thank you for your interest in applying to present at the 2025 Zarrow Mental Health Symposium!

PATHWAYS TO CHANGE: Empowering Communities, Clients & Clinicians

October 8-10, 2025

From social unrest and a polarized political climate to human rights and social justice issues, we live in challenging times. Uncertainty about future policies, economic conditions, and social dynamics can create a sense of powerlessness and fear which can in turn trigger stress, anxiety and depression. For someone living with a mental illness, such times can be especially difficult. A constant barrage of divisive rhetoric in the media and on social media exacerbates these feelings and can reinforce negative emotions such as anger, fear, or despair. For marginalized communities, political decisions that affect civil rights, immigration, gender equality, or racial justice can have a psychological impact and can magnify feelings of vulnerability, hopelessness, and fear. Some may experience trauma or a sense of being unsafe in their own communities.

Access to healthcare and social services directly impacts the mental health and wellness of both individuals and communities. Language barriers, poverty, and proximity to needed resources can contribute significantly to poor health outcomes, including mental health challenges.

Join us this October for the 31st Annual Zarrow Mental Health Symposium – PATHWAYS TO CHANGE: Empowering Communities, Clients & Clinicians.

Among the topics we’ll explore:

• How do we as individuals, caregivers, and communities find strength, balance, resilience, and healing in stressful times?

• How can we foster connection and hope, support those who are hurting, and empower them to take an active role in their care plan and recovery?

• How do we eliminate stigma, develop stronger communities, and work to close the gaps when it comes to access to care and improved social services?

• How do we mitigate disparities in healthcare and address equality and equity to ensure everyone has access to the resources necessary for optimal health?

• Emerging knowledge, clinical tools and resources, along with ethics will also be included in the agenda.

PRESENTATIONS

Mental Health Association Oklahoma seeks presentation proposals from presenters around the globe interested in sharing information about treatment modalities, programs, research findings, policies, and practices that are informed by science and use creative and innovative approaches to mental health. Presentations utilizing technology, innovative collaborations, new treatment and program models, and emerging knowledge and methodologies are encouraged.

Breakout sessions will be 60 or 90 minutes in length with an emphasis on evidence-based, best practice, and/or emerging knowledge.

Actual presentation length will be 45 or 75 minutes, with an additional 15 minutes allotted for questions and answers and a facilitated discussion.

Sessions may feature a single presenter, multiple presenters (3 maximum), or a moderated-panel discussion.

When developing your session overview and narrative, please reflect the relevance to the conference theme.

AREAS OF INTEREST

The following list of topics serves as a starting point, but feel free to make submissions on any topic relevant to the conference theme.

PATHWAYS TO CHANGE: Empowering Communities, Clients & Clinicians