Bridging the Gaps: Building a Connected Mental Health Network in Montana

We are accepting proposals in our three conference tracks, each designed to address a different aspect of Bridging the Gaps: Building a Connected Mental Health Network in Montana.

Clinical Practice & Innovation

This track highlights evidence-based tools, emerging modalities, and practical strategies clinicians can use directly in their work. Topics might include:

• Advanced crisis response and de-escalation

• Trauma-informed or culturally responsive interventions

• Integrating CBT, EMDR, IFS, ACT, or somatic approaches

• Ethics, supervision, or assessment practices

• Working with complex clinical presentations (e.g., GLP-1 medications & eating disorders, suicidality, co-occurring disorders)

This track is ideal for presenters who want to teach skills, share case examples, or offer workshop-style learning.

Systems, Collaboration & Access

This track focuses on big-picture solutions that strengthen Montana’s mental health ecosystem. Topics might include:

• Interagency collaboration between clinics, schools, hospitals, and community partners

• Expanding mental health access in rural or frontier communities

• Integrated care models and cross-disciplinary teamwork

• Advocacy, policy, and workforce development

• School-based mental health, crisis systems, or reentry support

• Substance use treatment navigation (e.g., ASAM criteria, levels of care, local recovery resources)

This track is ideal for presenters who want to highlight programs, partnerships, or initiatives that bridge gaps in care.

Provider Well-Being & Leadership

This track centers on the people doing the work and how we sustain ourselves — personally and professionally. Topics might include:

• Burnout prevention and compassion fatigue

• Mindfulness, breathwork, qigong, or somatic restoration

• Leadership and professional identity development

• Healthy boundaries and sustainable practice

• Ethical supervision, mentorship, and professional growth

• Rest, resilience, and self-care for clinicians

This track is ideal for sessions that support provider wellness, leadership, and longevity in the field.

We welcome session proposals that align with the conference theme Bridging the Gaps, whether you're bridging clinical gaps, system gaps, cultural gaps, access gaps, or gaps within the provider experience. Sessions may be practical, experiential, collaborative, or research-informed — all approaches are welcome.

Most breakout sessions are 60 minutes. We anticipate offering a few 90-minute “workshop-style” sessions for presenters who need more time for deeper teaching, experiential activities, or applied practice.

If you're interested in a 90-minute session, just indicate that on your proposal form.

We are also offering roundtable facilitator opportunities — these are small-group, discussion-based sessions (10 people max) lasting 25–28 minutes, and each presenter will facilitate three rounds.

We anticipate approximately 60–70 attendees per breakout session, depending on interest and track.

Roundtables are capped at 8–10 participants per table.

The keynote and plenary sessions will include the full conference audience (approximately 250+ providers).

Yes. Each breakout room will be equipped with:

• A projector and screen

• HDMI hookup or wireless display option

• Microphone (if needed)

• Speakers for audio

• A podium or standing table

You can connect your laptop to display your slides. We will confirm exact connection types with the venue closer to the event.

Yes — presenters will have access to the venue’s Wi-Fi for any online components of your presentation.

Speakers will be able to pre-upload slides, PDFs, and handouts into our event app (Guidebook). Attendees can access these materials:

• Before the session

• During the session

• After the conference

This makes the experience smooth and reduces the need for printed materials.

At this time, sessions will not be recorded in their entirety. We want speakers and attendees to feel comfortable engaging freely without the pressure of being filmed. We will, however, be taking short clips and still photos to use for promotional purposes.

Because this is our first year hosting a statewide conference, we aren’t able to offer financial compensation to speakers at this time. However, we want to honor your contribution as much as possible.

• Breakout and workshop presenters receive complimentary registration for the full two-day conference.

• Roundtable facilitators receive a significantly discounted registration rate.

Our goal is that, as the conference grows and we secure additional sponsorship and attendance in future years, we will be able to fairly compensate speakers for their time, expertise, and impact. We deeply appreciate those who help us build this inaugural year.

Yes! Our proposal form has a checkbox where you can indicate interest in:

• 60-minute breakout

• 90-minute workshop

• Roundtable facilitation

• Panel participation (if relevant)

We welcome presenters who want to offer multiple forms of engagement.

All applicants will be notified by January 15, 2026.