Department of Psychiatry

Faculty of Medicine

Mental Health Responses in a Changing World


Join us for Dalhousie’s Centre for Global Mental Health’s Inaugural Conference.
 

Mental Health Responses in a Changing World 2026:
Innovative Responses to Humanitarian Emergencies


Event Details


Location: The Marion McCain Arts & Social Sciences Building at Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada 

Date: Friday, July 10, 2026

Time: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. (Atlantic Standard Time)

About:

Inspired by the World Health Organization’s 2025 World Mental Health Day theme, our conference responds to the urgent global need for effective, evidence-informed, and community-based mental health and psychosocial supports in humanitarian emergencies. The WHO has emphasized the importance of interventions that address immediate mental health needs, foster long-term recovery, and empower individuals and communities to rebuild and thrive.

This inaugural conference will bring together practitioners, researchers, policy makers, students, and community members to enhance communication across the practice, policy, and research sectors. Through keynote presentations, panel discussions, posters, and interactive breakouts, participants will explore innovative mental health responses and technological supports that strengthen community resilience across changing global contexts.

Who is this conference for?

  • Professionals
    • Practitioners and Researchers in the field of mental health (including but not limited to psychiatry, psychology, social work, computer science, environmental studies, and international development studies)
    • Policy makers across diverse sectors
    • Service providers and community-based organizations working in and around the field of supporting people living with mental health challenges and/or mental illness.
  • Students interested in individual, relational and contextual factors related to mental health and/or mental illness.
  • Community members with lived experience, those impacted by community members living with mental health challenges, and advocates.

Program-at-a-Glance

Time Activity
8 - 8:45 a.m. Registration, coffee, and posters
9 - 9:15 a.m. Opening and welcome
9:15 - 10 a.m. Keynote presentation:
Prof Pamela Collins
10 - 11 a.m.  Panel discussion responding to Prof Collin’s keynote presentation
11 - 11:20 a.m. Coffee Break and posters
11:20 - 12:20 p.m. Tabletop discussion sessions: Share your burning question or bright idea with colleagues for five minutes and then have a rich, engaging conversation!
12:20 - 1:30 p.m. Lunch and poster viewing
1:30 - 3 p.m. Breakout sessions
3 - 3:15 p.m. Coffee break and posters
3:15 - 3:45 p.m. Reflections and call to action
3:45 - 4 p.m. Closing


Call for Abstracts and Posters

The conference will feature poster presentations and interactive sessions to spark dialogue, build connections, and support knowledge mobilization. Details on how you can participate can be found in our Call for Abstracts and Posters.

Pricing:

  • $200 for Professionals
  • $150 for Students and Community service providers and members
  • $50 for Virtual attendance (Keynote and panel disucssion only)

Registration:

REGISTER HERE by 5 p.m. (Atlantic Time) on Friday, May 8, 2026.

Key Dates: 

  • Registration opens: Friday, March 6, 2026 at 9 a.m. (AST)
  • Registration closes: Friday, May 8, 2026 at 5 p.m. (AST)

Cancellation Policy:
Cancellations before the deadline of Friday, May 8, 2026 at 5 p.m. (Atlantic time) will be fully refunded less the processing fee of $10.00 (CAD).

Cancellations received after the deadline of Friday, May 8, 2026, at 5 p.m. (Atlantic time) will forfeit 100% of the registration charges.

Accommodations:

We have reserved a limited number of accommodations on campus at Dalhousie University. If you are interested in staying on campus, room reservations can be made online (www.dal.ca/book) or by phone (902-494-8840).

The promotional code for reservations is: IRHE26.

Note: The rooms will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Nearby hotel options include the Atlantica Hotel and the Lord Nelson.

Questions?

Email cgmh@dal.ca

If you’re thinking of staying for the weekend, or longer, find out more about what Halifax (https://discoverhalifaxns.com/) and Nova Scotia (https://tourismns.ca/) have to offer.