2026 Mental Health Specialty Conference
Pre-conference sessions on October 8
In-Person
Earn Up to 10.5 contact hours
Questions? Email conference@aota.org
Mental health is foundational to every client interaction
Whether you work in a psychiatric setting or simply want to bring a mental health lens when working with clients across settings, this conference gives you the skills to make it happen. Join other mental health-minded OT practitioners for two days focused on actionable strategies to meet your clients where they are.
This year's Mental Health Specialty Conference is October 9–10 in Oak Brook, IL, just outside Chicago. Add a pre-conference day on October 8 to go even deeper.
Register and Book Your Hotel Today
Register by September 9 for the lowest price!
Discounted hotel rooms available through September 16
Explore the Program
Earn up to 10.5 contact hours
Exhibitors/Sponsors
Join us at the 2026 Mental Health Specialty Conference
Spread the Word
Use our graphics and #AOTAMentalHealth on social media to invite your colleagues and stay up to date!
Keynote & Closing Sessions
From 3% to More: Strengthening Mental Health Occupational Therapy Workforce Development
This session engages practitioners, researchers, and academicians to identify barriers to clinical education and job shadowing in mental health. With ~3% of occupational therapy practitioners in mental health settings, participants will explore solutions to expand learning and workforce pathways.
Advancing Occupational Therapy in Mental Health: Professional Identity, Resilience, and Workforce Development
Using an autoethnographic approach, this session examines barriers to occupational therapy practice in mental health and illustrates how professional identity and resilience drive advocacy, program development, and workforce advancement.
AOTA resources
Browse AOTA resources about mental health for use in your everyday practice.