Sept 9 - 11, 2026 | San Diego, CA

Register

Presenter Applications Are Now Closed!

If you have any questions about presentations, partnerships, or conference opportunities, please contact conference@wellnesstogether.org.

What is a Navigator?

Navigators are leaders working at the intersection of expertise and human connection. They guide students, colleagues, and communities through today’s challenges while emphasizing relationships as the most powerful tool for change. Navigators are leaders, innovators, and practitioners doing the work. At the conference, they will:

  • Share lived experience and practical insights

  • Provide replicable frameworks others can use

  • Focus on human-centered solutions

Seeking proposals that are:

⟡ Highly Interactive

Discussions, case work, hands-on learning

⟡ Deeply Applied

Tools, frameworks, implementation strategies

⟡ Focused on Emerging Challenges

Reflect the current youth mental health landscape

⟡ Grounded in Evidence

Research backed, data-driven, evidence-based

Priority Topics for 2026

We highly encourage presentations focusing on:

  • Generative AI, student well-being, ethics, and school/clinical applications

  • Phone policies, social connection, sensory-friendly spaces, and campus safety

  • Legislative updates, compliance, and impacts on practice

  • Scaling the California Youth Behavioral Health Initiative multi-agency collaboration, billing, and expansion to a national model

  • Mental health’s role in academic success and intervention

  • Adolescent brain science and applied youth development strategies

  • Leading human-based initiatives that train and support current and future clinicians and wellness coaches

Submissions that align with these key areas are strongly encouraged.

How Selection Works:

  • Submit Application

  • Selection Committee Reviews

  • Finalists Selected

  • Community Voting

  • Final Speaker Selection

Community Voting

Finalist videos are shared publicly. The community votes on who they want to learn from, helping elevate impactful voices.

Proposals require brief video submissions, which will be shared publicly for voting. Community voting helps spotlight the voices audiences are most excited to learn from.

Important Presenter Details:

⟡ In-Person:

All breakout sessions will take place at the San Diego Convention Center

⟡ Non-Commercial Presentations:

Sessions must be academic in nature. No sales pitches or promotions.

⟡ Complimentary Registration:

Lead presenters receive one complimentary speaker pass (Sept 9 - Sept 11).

⟡ Co-Presenters:

Up to 3 co-presenters/panelists allowed. Each receives 15% off conference registration.

⟡ Travel:

Presenters are responsible for their own travel and accommodations.

Important Dates

Proposals Due

On or before May 25, 2026

Notification of Acceptance

On or before July 21, 2026

Submission Guidelines

All proposals must:

  • Be non-commercial in nature

  • Include session goals, intended audience, and clear takeaways

  • Be submitted by the deadline using the official proposal form

  • Include bios and contact info for any additional presenters

Frequently Asked Questions

  • In previous years, the conference has featured breakout sessions across a wide range of topics and speakers.

    For our 10th Annual Wellness Together Conference, we are evolving this format. Navigation Sessions are designed to provide more focused, practical, and actionable learning experiences. We are prioritizing speakers who are actively engaged in the work they are presenting and can offer real-world insights.

    Our audience consistently asks for fewer sales-driven presentations and more hands-on learning, concrete resources, and clear roadmaps. Navigation Sessions are intended to help attendees better navigate today’s rapidly changing mental health and education landscape.

  • Proposals must be submitted by May 25, 2026.

  • For full instructions, please refer to the application form.

    In general, your video should clearly and concisely answer the following questions:

    1. What specific problem are you addressing in your presentation?

    2. What is your unique approach or solution?

    3. Why does this work matter right now?

    4. Why should this be shared and replicated at scale?

    Strong submissions are clear, focused, and grounded in real-world impact.

  • The WTC10 Selection Committee will first identify Top Finalists based on mission alignment, innovation, and clinical or educational rigor.

    Community Voting: Elevating Your Voice

    • Finalist videos will be shared publicly with the Wellness Together community

    • Community members will vote on the speakers they most want to learn from

    • Finalists are encouraged to share their video and voting link with their networks

    • Voting is one factor in the final selection process and helps elevate voices that resonate with the field

    Final Selection & Announcement

    The Selection Committee will make final decisions based on a combination of evaluation criteria and community input. Selected speakers will be notified and publicly announced.

  • For full details, please refer to the application form. Priority topic areas include:

    • AI and Youth Well-Being

    • School Communities

    • Youth Mental Health Policy & Advocacy

    • CYBHI Systemic Implementation

    • Mental Well-Being as a Foundation for Learning

    • Youth Brain Development

    • Expanding, Training, & Supporting the Global Behavioral Health Workforce

    • Due to space and time constraints, and our goal of featuring a wide range of voices, some speakers may be offered a Lighthouse Talk in place of a Navigation Session.

    • Lighthouse Talks are 12-minute, high-energy presentations designed to spotlight powerful ideas, emerging trends, and compelling stories in a concise format.

    • Think of these as TEDx-style talks: big ideas, clear insights, and impactful storytelling that can inspire and spark new ways of thinking.

Still have questions? Please reach out to conference@wellnesstogether.org