2026 Conference Call for Proposals:
Fuerza en Unidad: Intersections of Healing
and Collective Action
The Latino Mental Health Association of New Jersey (LMHANJ) invites you to contribute to our 2026 Annual Conference - Fuerza en Unidad: Intersections of Healing and Collective Action, happening March 20-21, 2025, at The College of New Jersey.
We are seeking presentations, workshops, and panels that inspire connection, collaboration, and innovation across disciplines, grounded in culturally responsive, community-centered approaches to mental health. This is an opportunity to share your expertise, research, and stories that move us toward healing through collective action.
Conference Overview
The overarching goal of this year’s conference — Fuerza en Unidad: Intersections of Healing and Collective Action— is to explore how unity, collaboration, and culturally grounded healing practices can advance mental health outcomes within Latinx communities.
As the field continues to evolve, so must our collective approach. This year, we invite mental health professionals, educators, researchers, advocates, and holistic practitioners to come together and share insights that bridge disciplines and build community. Through the lens of collective action, we’ll highlight how healing becomes more powerful when guided by shared purpose and intersectional understanding.
With the support of holistic practitioners, educators, and advocates, this conference promises to amplify diverse voices, foster collaboration, and highlight innovative approaches to mental health care. Together, we’ll explore how unity is not just a value, but a pathway to collective healing.
LMHANJ Members receive discounted registration rates to the conference!
Suggested Proposal Topics
To reflect this year’s theme, Fuerza en Unidad: Intersections of Healing and Collective Action, proposals may explore (but are not limited to):
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Intersections of Healing and Collective Action: Explore how unity and collaboration across communities, disciplines, and generations can strengthen Latinx mental health and collective well-being.
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Culturally Grounded Healing Practices: Share approaches that integrate traditional, ancestral, and holistic methods with contemporary clinical care to honor Latinx cultural identity and promote whole-person healing.
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Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration: Highlight how partnerships across education, social services, healthcare, policy, and community organizations can expand access and equity in mental health care.
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Community Empowerment and Leadership: Showcase initiatives that center community wisdom, elevate Latinx leadership, and transform systems through advocacy, mutual aid, and collective care.
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Intersectionality and Belonging: Examine how race, ethnicity, gender, immigration status, language, and neurodiversity intersect to shape mental health experiences, and how practitioners can foster belonging through inclusive practices.
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Innovation and Access: Discuss the role of technology, telehealth, and creative digital tools in breaking barriers, expanding reach, and creating culturally responsive services for Latinx communities.
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Healing-Centered Education and Training: Present models that prepare students and early-career professionals to lead with empathy, cultural humility, and advocacy in mental health and related fields.
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Professional Resilience and Collective Care: Share tools and strategies to sustain wellness, prevent burnout, and build solidarity among Latinx mental health providers and allies.
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Storytelling and Cultural Expression: Explore how art, music, literature, and media serve as pathways for healing, identity reclamation, and community connection.
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Research for Social Impact: Highlight community-based, participatory, or interdisciplinary research that drives action toward systemic change and mental health equity.
Please review the submission guidelines before submitting a proposal.
Program Types
Strong consideration will be made for programs that are eligible for both psychology and social work continuing education credits.
Workshops
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Duration: 60 minutes
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Session Focus and Format: Interactive sessions designed to build knowledge and skills through active learning, discussion, and participant engagement. Workshops may be led by one or more presenters and should include opportunities for reflection, cross-disciplinary learning, actionable tools for practice, and audience participation. Sessions may be CE-eligible.
Panel
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Duration: 90 minutes
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Session Focus and Format: Facilitated panel discussions with 3–6 participants (including a moderator) that spark dynamic, multi-perspective dialogue around this year’s theme. Panels should promote audience engagement and Q&A, highlight collaboration across disciplines, communities, and lived experiences, and demonstrate how collective action and unity can advance mental health care for Latino communities. Panels may be CE-eligible.
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Note for submission: Panel proposals must be submitted as complete proposals, including: all confirmed panelists, a designated moderator, and a clear description of the discussion topic and objectives. This is not an open call to join an existing panel; each submission should represent a fully formed session concept.
Poster Presentations
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Duration: Ongoing session
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Focus: Visual presentations that showcase research, innovative practices, community-based initiatives, or emerging ideas connected to this year’s theme. Poster sessions provide an opportunity to highlight how unity, collaboration, and culturally grounded approaches contribute to healing and mental health equity in Latino communities. Student submissions are especially encouraged.
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Format: Posters will be displayed throughout the conference, with presenters available to discuss their work during designated networking and break periods.
Proposals must be submitted by December 10, 2025. Notifications of accepted proposals will be sent by the end of December. If you have any questions, please reach out to hola@latinomentalhealthnj.com.