Pennsylvania Mental Health and Wellness Conference

PA Mental Health & Wellness Conference

Monday, May 18, 2026 - Tuesday, May 19, 2026

Best Western Premier

Best Western Premier, 800 E Park Dr
Harrisburg, PA 17111

Pennsylvania Mental Health and Wellness Conference

The 2026 Pennsylvania Mental Health and Wellness Conference took place on May 18-19 at the Best Western Premier: The Central Hotel and Conference Center in Harrisburg. This year’s annual two-day conference featured three powerful themes: scientific innovation, system transformation, and the power of recovery.

During his keynote presentation, Mental Health Research: The Enormous Challenge and The Progress We've Made, Dr. Ken Duckworth, Chief Medical Officer at NAMI National, provided a comprehensive look at the current state of mental health research, highlighting the major scientific breakthroughs of the past decade. Dr. Duckworth explored why, despite advances, there are still numerous unmet needs in treatment, diagnosis, and understanding of serious mental illness. The presentation also examined whether new ways of thinking, new approaches, and new technologies are needed to impact future research and care.

During Monday’s afternoon plenary, Dr. Matthew Wintersteen from Thomas Jefferson University explored the policy landscape surrounding the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Dr. Wintersteen also identified what legislative action is needed to strengthen the critical resource and he examined the work that still needs to be done to expand awareness, improve outreach, and ensure that the 988 Lifeline is accessible, equitable, and trusted by all who need it.

The Tuesday keynote featured NAMI Keystone Pennsylvania’s Director of Advocacy and Public Policy, Nikki Weigand. Her 2026 Public Policy Priorities presentation highlighted important state and federal issues, including outcomes related to recent Executive Orders, new developments regarding the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), and updates on the state budget and state bills that are of interest to mental health advocates.

In this powerful and inspiring presentation, Keirston Parham, Recovery and Peer Services Coordinator at UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital, shared his mental

health journey that led him from crisis to leadership within the recovery movement. Drawing from personal and professional experiences, KP explored how peer support transforms systems, strengthens recovery services, and creates meaningful change for individuals and families.

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2026 Carol Caruso Mental Health Advocacy Award

NAMI Keystone Pennsylvania would like to congratulate Neen Davis, the recipient of the 2026 Carol Caruso Mental Health Advocacy Award. Neen serves on the Board of Directors for NAMI Keystone Pennsylvania and NAMI Montgomery County PA. She has spent decades furthering NAMI's mission of providing support, education, and advocacy for people affected by mental illness and their families. This award is especially meaningful to Neen, as she was a dear friend of Carol Caruso, for whom this award is named.

Carol Caruso was a longtime and highly regarded mental health advocacy leader who passed away in January 2017. The Carol Caruso Mental Health Advocacy Award was established in her honor to create a legacy that continues to advance the advocacy movement that Carol led for many years.

Conference Marketing Contact

If you have questions about the 2027 Pennsylvania Mental Health and Wellness Conference marketing opportunities, contact NAMI Keystone PA's Senior Manager of Grants and Fundraising, Sara Levine Steinberg, by email at slsteinberg@namikeystonepa.org or by phone at 412-366-3788 (ext. 122).