In consultation with health authorities, the Canadian Mental Health Association is continuing to monitor coronavirus (COVID-19) developments and their potential impact on the 2020 national Mental Health For All (MH4A) conference. At this time, the conference remains scheduled as planned. Call for abstracts now open!

Date: Monday, September 21 – Wednesday, September 23, 2020

Location: Westin Harbour Castle in Toronto, Ontario

Call for Abstracts Opens: March 4, 2020

Abstract Submission Deadline: June 12, 2020

Results Notification: June 30, 2020

Conference Website

Submit an Abstract

A presenter may submit multiple abstracts for the conference. One submission must be submitted for each presentation. The submission should be 150 words or less.

Conference sessions will be offered in the following formats:

  • Panel discussions (60 or 90 minutes)
    • Panels should include a minimum of two and a maximum of four presenters addressing a common issue or topic from different perspectives followed by an interactive discussion. Each panel must also provide a moderator.
  • Individual presentations (30* or 60 minutes)
    • Oral Presentation: Your presentation should have a coherent structure and a clearly stated purpose. It should provide descriptive information, including necessary contextual detail, and report on research findings, evaluation results, lessons learned and best or promising practices
    • Paper Presentation: Will address innovative programming, completed research that has been demonstrated through evaluation to have an impact on clinical practice, system design or policy development related to collaborative mental health.
    • Storyboard: Opportunity to tell your story of a project or an experience that included a life-changing event that changed your attitudes, clinical approach, or interactions towards individuals.
  • Poster Presentations
    • Poster Presentations are mounted on a poster board. We will schedule a time for you to be available at your station to give attendees an overview of your project and answer questions. This year, poster presentations will have a separate room for the duration of the conference where delegates can come check out the posters any time they want.

* Note that 30-min presentations will be sharing a workshop slot with another 30-min presentation on a similar topic.

Submissions will be evaluated using the following criteria:

  • Relevance to the conference theme
  • Clarity and coherence of the submission
  • Relevance and utility to participants
  • Emphasis on social justice, human rights and/or equity
  • Presence of interactive components

Please note: CMHA encourages presenters to include a lived experience component or perspective where relevant.

If you have questions regarding the abstract submission process, please contact: Sara Rodrigues