CANMHA Central Appalachian Youth Mental Health and Substance Use Conference

Schedule

Tue Oct 14 2025 at 02:00 pm to 05:00 pm

UTC-04:00

Location

Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center | Abingdon, VA

Advertisement
The CANMHA Conference begins Tuesday, October 14 and concludes Wednesday, October 15.
About this Event
Event Photos

CANMHA Central Appalachian Youth Mental Health and Substance Use Conference

Building the Network

In partnership with East Tennessee State University, we previously hosted a successful two-day mental health conference. We had planned to follow this with a series of conferences beginning in West Virginia, but those efforts were halted due to COVID-19. We are now renewing our commitment to convening a regional mental health conference to highlight and strengthen efforts in Central Appalachia.

This year, CANMHA is collaborating with the and is pleased to offer a $25 discount to participants attending both conferences.

The ATRN 2025 Annual Health Summit begins on Monday, October 13 at the Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center in Abingdon, Virginia and concludes at 2:00 pm, just before the start of the CANMHA Conference begins Tuesday, October 14 and concludes Wednesday, October 15.

The conference will focus on Youth Mental Health and will provide skills, tools, and resources for those working across Central Appalachian communities. Our vision is for this event to serve as a springboard for the Central Appalachian Network of Mental Health Advocates (CANMHA), helping us grow and advance our goals.

Looking ahead, we hope to formalize our organization, launch a website, and foster more consistent communication among members and regional mental health resources. We also plan to expand educational outreach through the ECHO program in the Division of Outreach—paralleling the work of ORCCA but with a broader focus on all aspects of mental health, not only substance use.

From years of clinical and ethnographic work in the region, we know that each county has a dedicated core of individuals striving to make a difference. Yet these efforts often remain isolated. Our aim is to connect these voices, strengthen collaboration, and create a unified network of support.

To make this possible, we are seeking support from partners such as the American Psychiatric Association, Appalachian Regional Commission, Associated Universities, and Healthy Appalachia at UVA Wise. We also recognize the financial challenges in the current funding environment and are committed to keeping expenses to a minimum while building sustainable momentum for this work.

View the Agenda

Call for Poster Proposals

We are now accepting applications for poster presentations at the upcoming conference. Posters should address some aspect of Appalachian mental health, substance use, community participation or development, and/or therapeutic interventions.

Poster submissions may include:

  • Descriptions of projects
  • Clinical or research studies
  • Case analyses
  • Qualitative studies
  • Personal lived experiences related to the above topics

Submission Guidelines:

  • Posters must be submitted in PDF format
  • Email submissions to [email protected]
  • Deadline: September 30, 2024, at midnight

The top 20 posters will be selected by the planning committee. Selected posters will be displayed at the conference, and presenters will have their attendance fee waived.

Advertisement

Where is it happening?

Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center, 1 Partnership Circle, Abingdon, United States

Event Location & Nearby Stays:

Tickets

USD 125.00 to USD 3203.06

Central Appalachian Network of Mental Health Advocates

Host or Publisher Central Appalachian Network of Mental Health Advocates

It's more fun with friends. Share with friends

Discover More Events in Abingdon

CareForward Kickoff - Grayson, Russell, Smyth, and Washington Counties
Fri, 17 Oct at 11:00 am CareForward Kickoff - Grayson, Russell, Smyth, and Washington Counties

1 Partnership Circle, Abingdon, VA

Mick Live at Dwyane & Co!!
Fri, 17 Oct at 09:00 pm Mick Live at Dwyane & Co!!

Dwyane & Co

TRIPS-ADVENTURES
Flourish Ladies Retreat
Sat, 18 Oct at 01:00 pm Flourish Ladies Retreat

Highlands Fellowship Church - Abingdon

HEALTH-WELLNESS
Virginia Highlands Sportsman's Dinner and Auction
Sat, 18 Oct at 05:00 pm Virginia Highlands Sportsman's Dinner and Auction

Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center

Abingdon-Financial Ed, Business Ownership, and Real Estate Investing
Mon, 28 Aug at 08:00 pm Abingdon-Financial Ed, Business Ownership, and Real Estate Investing

Zoom

WORKSHOPS MEETUPS
Help Hope Healing Conference 2025
Thu, 11 Sep at 09:00 am Help Hope Healing Conference 2025

Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center

BUSINESS HEALTH-WELLNESS
IBN Coffee Connection - Abingdon VA
Mon, 15 Sep at 08:00 am IBN Coffee Connection - Abingdon VA

Rendezvous International Cafe - 211 W Main St, Abingdon, VA 24210

BUSINESS MEETUPS
IBN Biz Lunch - Abingdon VA
Wed, 17 Sep at 12:00 pm IBN Biz Lunch - Abingdon VA

Moon Dog Brick Oven of Abingdon

MEETUPS BUSINESS
Southwest Virginia CNG\/RNG Workshop
Thu, 18 Sep at 08:00 am Southwest Virginia CNG/RNG Workshop

Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center

WORKSHOPS
Southwest Virginia Manufacturing Awards Banquet
Thu, 02 Oct at 05:00 pm Southwest Virginia Manufacturing Awards Banquet

Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center

BUSINESS
2025 SVCTM Fall Conference
Sat, 04 Oct at 08:30 am 2025 SVCTM Fall Conference

Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center

BUSINESS CONFERENCES
17th Annual VHCC Educational Foundation Golf Tournament
Mon, 06 Oct at 08:00 am 17th Annual VHCC Educational Foundation Golf Tournament

Glenrochie Country Club

SPORTS TOURNAMENTS
CANMHA Central Appalachian Youth Mental Health and Substance Use Conference
Tue, 14 Oct at 02:00 pm CANMHA Central Appalachian Youth Mental Health and Substance Use Conference

Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center

BUSINESS HEALTH-WELLNESS
2025 Appalachian Council for Innovation Awards Banquet and Gala
Wed, 15 Oct at 05:00 pm 2025 Appalachian Council for Innovation Awards Banquet and Gala

Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center

What's Happening Next in Abingdon?

Discover Abingdon Events