NAMICon attendees are wide-ranging and include individuals with mental illness, caregivers and family members, mental health providers and NAMI grassroots leaders.

NAMI endeavors to include and thread diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) throughout all the programs, services and presentations of the organization. Your proposal should consider and explain how DEI and/or cultural competence will be addressed or demonstrated in your presentation. It should be clearly stated in the workshop description, objectives and recommendations. Additionally, NAMI is seeking workshop proposals from subject matter experts experienced in matters of social justice, racial and ethnic identity, and equity-minded practice.

Ensure your subject matter addresses the varied experiences, backgrounds, cultures and identities of our convention attendees.

Strengthening the NAMI Alliance: Building a Unified Movement

This track, designed specifically for local NAMI staff, executive directors, and state associations, will focus on fostering collaboration, sharing best practices, and working more effectively as an interdependent network to advance local, state, and national goals. Attendees will learn how to leverage national and state organizations to enhance local efforts, strengthen their own organizational infrastructure, and promote sustainable growth. Sessions will cover topics such as:

• Leadership development;
• Board governance;
• Community and volunteer engagement;
• Resource development;
• Financial management;
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion; and
• Effective program management.

Advocacy in Action: Amplifying Voices for Mental Health Equity

This track is dedicated to advancing mental health advocacy through public policy reform and awareness campaigns that inspire action. It will explore innovative ways to influence mental health legislation, mobilize grassroots activism, and drive change at local, state, and national levels. Policy and advocacy topics to be addressed include but are not limited to expanding access to quality, affordable mental healthcare; criminal justice reform; peer recovery; meeting the needs of servicemembers and veterans; and eliminating mental health stigma.

Innovating to Meet Tomorrow’s Mental Health Needs

As the nation becomes increasingly diverse, and the ways in which people access information, support, and care evolve, it is critical that the mental health community develop new, innovative approaches to mental health support. This track addresses the need for innovation and research to meet the evolving demands of mental health care. Attendees will learn about new approaches to creating adaptive, inclusive programs that meet the evolving needs of communities, leverage new technologies, and address equity gaps in mental health care access.

 
Building Inclusive Mental Health Awareness and Support Networks

This track centers on creating inclusive, diverse communities that prioritize mental health awareness and support, with a focus on groups such as:

• People living with mental illness, their families, and caregivers;
• Youth and young adults;
• Servicemembers, veterans, and their families;
• The faith community; and
• Historically underserved and marginalized communities.

Attendees will learn how to build sustainable mental health networks, create inclusive outreach initiatives, and engage a diverse range of community stakeholders. Sessions will highlight effective ways to promote open dialogue about mental health in schools, workplaces, and community organizations to create meaningful connections and lasting impact.

Audiences

Presenters are encouraged to develop session proposals that address the following audience(s):

• People with mental illness;
• Families and caregivers;
• Youth and young adults;
• Servicemembers, veterans, and their families;
• Underserved and marginalized communities;
• The faith community;
• Public policy advocates;
• Mental health nonprofit leaders;
• Local, state, and federal policymakers; and
• Mental health care providers.

IMPACT SESSIONS

• A presentation on a topic, a small panel discussion, or an interactive discussion with the audience
• Up to 60 minutes, including live Q&A
• 1–5 presenters

We receive many excellent proposals. Unfortunately, given limited space and time, we can't accept all of them.

A committee of NAMI subject matter experts review and grade all submissions. We select the proposals that best meet our criteria:

1. ATTENDEES

• Will the content be compelling and interesting to our audience?
• Does the proposal address contemporary topics in an interesting way?
• Will the session actively engage the audience?

2. PRESENTER

• Does the presenter(s) have relevant knowledge, experience, and expertise to address this topic?

3. JUSTICE, EQUITY, DIVERSITY and INCLUSION (JEDI)

• Does the proposal include diverse voices and perspectives, both in terms of presenters and subject matter?
• Does the proposal expand attendee exposure to different cultures, identities, experiences, and backgrounds?

4. PROPOSAL

• Does the proposal have clear and easily understood title, description, and learning objectives?
• Does the proposal fit well in the selected convention track?
• Does the proposal align with and advance NAMI’s strategy and policy priorities?

We do not provide guidance or suggestions to individual submitters.

Some sessions — including keynote speakers and invited presentations — are determined solely by NAMI. These sessions are not part of the regular Call for Proposals process.

All submissions must be made through the online Call for Proposals website.

Applicants must submit all required information for each speaker on the proposal. Incomplete submissions will not be considered.

Use inclusive and respectful language in session descriptions and presentations. Ensure that both your presenters and your session content includes a diversity of experience, perspectives and points of view.

No session can spotlight a company, product or service.

If your proposal is selected, you (and your co-presenters) must be available to record your session with producers and present  at any time during NAMICon. The NAMICon schedule is complex and interdependent, so we do not accept requests to change your assigned session dates & times.

A successful submission will:

• Align with one of the convention tracks
• Be interactive and engaging
• Have no more than five presenters
• Leave time for questions and answers
• Offer tangible, practical, take-away ideas or skills

We reserve the right to edit or modify all session titles and descriptions for use in NAMICon materials.

Presenters are required to upload related resources (for example, documents or links) prior to their presentation.

These resources provide support for the presentation and then become a part of the NAMICon proceedings so that this valuable information is accessible beyond the session.

If your proposal is selected, you will be provided with instructions on uploading your presentation materials.

We will notify all submitters about the status of their submission by late March 2025.

NAMICon presenters are entitled to an exclusive speaker registration rate.

All accepted presenters are responsible for registering for the convention and paying their convention registration fee. Plan and budget accordingly before submitting your proposal.

We do not reimburse speaker-related expenses, online tools, assessments, books or other presentation materials.