The School Mental Health Resource & Training Center of MHANYS is requesting proposals for the 2026 Summer Academy, to be held Tuesday, August 11th and Wednesday, August 12th, 2026. The theme for this year is Showcase of Success: Celebrating 10 Years of Mental Health Education in Schools.
In 2016, NYS passed legislation which requires schools to provide mental health instruction as a part of K-12 health curricula, demonstrating a commitment to reducing stigma, supporting help-seeking, and advancing familiarity with social emotional wellness across New York State. To help schools implement the requirement, the School Mental Health Resource & Training Center was created, and 2026 marks not only the 10th anniversary of the legislation, but also the 5th anniversary of the Summer Academy.
The Summer Academy is a virtual event, taking place over two days Tuesday, August 11th and Wednesday, August 12th, 2026, from 9:00am to 12:00pm each day.
Sessions are 50 minutes in length, allowing for a 10-minute break between sessions. Panel presentations as well as solo and dyad presentations are welcome.
Submission Process – Important Dates
Proposal Deadline: Friday, March 6th, 2026, 11:59 PM EST
Notification of Acceptance: Friday, April 3th, 2026
Final Materials Due: Friday, May 15th, 2026.
The Center is looking for proposals which highlight the successes of implementation, as well as honest discussion about challenges and how they are overcome. Sessions with themes consistent with one or more of these tracks are encouraged:
Creative classroom approaches to teaching mental health
Inclusion in action, addressing the needs of diverse populations
Administrators as champions of mental health education
Youth voice and choice: the active participation of youth in mental health education
Community partnerships in support of mental health of students
Parent engagement, families as participants in mental health education
Please direct questions to schools@mhanys.org
