UCLA-SACERT Conference

FROM PREVENTION TO RECOVERY FOR MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS ACROSS THE LIFESPAN:
BUILDING CAPACITY TO ADDRESS A GLOBAL CHALLENGE

 

12–14 May 2026

University of California Los Angeles (UCLA)

 

The NIH Fogarty-funded Sustainable Academic Capacity-Building of Excellence through Research and Training (SACERT) Program (D43TW012029) will convene US-based and international scholars on the UCLA campus in Los Angeles, CA to advance mental health prevention science and clinical practice globally. Participants will explore strategies to enhance access to care, integrate mental health interventions with broader public health initiatives, and develop sustainable solutions.

 

Key Objectives:

  • Highlight global and regional trends in mental health prevalence and treatment gaps
  • Share innovative approaches to prevention, early intervention, and recovery
  • Foster international collaboration to strengthen research and clinical capacity
  • Address cross-cutting challenges linking mental health to social and physical health outcomes
  • Provide mentoring and networking opportunities across career stages

 

Conference Themes:

  1. Global (Trans-National) Comparative Research
  2. Social & Structural Determinants of Mental Health
  3. Contextualized Approaches to Mental Health, Trauma, and Violence
  4. Trauma, Intergenerational and Collective Trauma, PTSD, and Common Mental Disorders in High-Risk Contexts
  5. Implementation Science, Service Delivery, Task-Sharing, and Scaling Up Mental Health Interventions
  6. Prevention, Early Intervention, Life Course, and Resilience Frameworks
  7. Lived Experience, Service User, & Family Voices
  8. Digital Mental Health and Technological Innovation
  9. Comorbidity and Integrated Care
  10. Capacity Strengthening, Mentoring, and Research Leadership 

 

Who Should Attend:
Researchers, clinicians, policy-makers, and students interested in mental health, prevention science, and global mental health initiatives

Registration Fee: None


Please email abstracts to: uclasacert2026@mednet.ucla.edu 


Abstract Submission Deadline: 22 January 2026

 

For more information, contact Ms. Amber Smith at ambersmith@mednet.ucla.edu. 


Conference Abstract Submission Guidelines

 

General Requirements for All Abstracts

  • Abstracts must be submitted in English.
  • Maximum word count: 300 words (excluding title, authors, and affiliations).
  • Include:
    • Title (concise and informative)
    • Authors and Affiliations (indicate presenting author with an asterisk *)
    • Background / Introduction (brief context)
    • Objectives / Aims
    • Methods (if applicable)
    • Results / Key Findings (if available; for research-based submissions)
    • Conclusions / Implications
  • Abstracts must clearly align with conference themes.
  • Tables, figures, and references are generally not permitted in the abstract text.

 

1. Oral Presentations

  • Focus on research studies or clinical projects.
  • Presenting author must attend the session.
  • Include a clear description of study design, methods, results, and implications.
  • Duration: 12–15 minutes, followed by Q&A.

 

2. Poster Presentations

  • Ideal for early-stage or exploratory research.
  • Include research questions, methods, preliminary findings, and conclusions.
  • Posters should be visually clear, concise, and self-explanatory.
  • Presenting author should be available during poster sessions for discussion.

 

3. Symposia

  • Symposia consist of 3–4 related presentations under a common theme.
  • One person serves as chair/moderator, who must be named in the abstract.
  • Include in your submission:
    1. Symposium title
    2. Chair name and affiliation
    3. Brief overview / rationale (100–150 words) describing the symposium’s focus and significance
    4. Individual abstracts for each presentation (max 300 words each), including title, authors, and objectives
    5. Optional planned discussion / Q&A structure

 

4. Panel Discussions

  • Panels feature experts discussing a topic or controversy in an interactive format.
  • Include in your submission:
    1. Panel title
    2. Chair/moderator name and affiliation
    3. Brief description (150–200 words) outlining the topic, relevance, and key discussion points
    4. Panelist names, affiliations, and expertise
    5. Optional planned audience interaction or Q&A format