2026 Mental Health Specialty Conference Call for Papers and Reviewers
Call for Papers and Reviewers for the 2026 AOTA Mental Health Specialty Conference will open on April 7, 2026.
Learn more about Call for Papers
Learn more about Call for Reviewers
Call for Papers
April 7-28, 2026: Call for Papers
July 21, 2026: Speaker Orientation
Program selection will be conducted by a committee comprised of specifically identified volunteers with expertise in the topic areas.
Only Intermediate and Advanced levels will be accepted for consideration.
Speakers who are accepted must attend in person and agree to the policies governing accepted proposals.
Short Course: 1-hour session with reflective time for attendees.
- Of those completed submissions: (16) Short Courses with (1) Keynote and (1) Closing will be chosen
Poster: Posters will be on display on a tabletop during a designated 1-hour period. Presenters are required to be with their poster for the entire 1-hour block of time.
- (15) Completed poster submissions will be chosen
NOTE: If you indicated an interest in being considered for a poster presentation, your submission may be reviewed for that format and accepted.
Conversations That Matter: 50-minute facilitated discussion on a specific occupational therapy-related topic. Topic areas can cover academia, practice, or general professional issues. No AV is provided. The moderator should briefly introduce the topic and then allow participants to discuss and share. These sessions are not traditional lectures; they are facilitated discussions.
- (5-10, depending on space restrictions) Completed CTM submissions will be chosen
Deadline to Submit: April 28, 2026, 11:59 pm PDT
Late June to Mid-July 2026: Everyone who submits a completed proposal will be contacted via email with the status of their submission.
Call for Reviewers
April 7-28, 2026: Call for Reviewers
July 21, 2026: Reviewer Orientation
Reviewer Requirements
- All reviewers must have at least 5 years of experience in OT/OTA education
- Depending on the quantity of reviewers who sign up to review, the average number of proposals to review will be 10-15. All reviewers must have at least 5 years of experience in OT/OTA in advanced practice. Mental health, or similar practice experience, preferred.
- Based on reviewer participation, each reviewer will be assigned approximately 10–15 proposals.
*Please make sure that your AOTA profile is current with your credentials
Deadline to sign up as a reviewer: April 28, 2026, 11:59 pm PDT
Deadline for completing proposal reviews: May 28, 2026, 11:59 pm PDT