Call for Participation: Mental Health in Journalism Summit

Do you have insights, research, tools, or experiences that can contribute to building systems of care in journalism? The organisers of the Mental Health in Journalism Summit 2026 want to hear from you. They are inviting media professionals, freelancers, mental health and wellbeing practitioners, researchers, press freedom advocates, union and labor representatives, funders, and newsroom and media organization leaders to contribute in shaping this edition of the Summit.

The Mental Health in Journalism Summit 2026 takes place online, October 6–9, under the theme Stronger Together: Building Systems of Care. The program is co-created with the community.

Thematics 

The organisers are seeking proposals on the following focus areas:

• Mental Health as a Foundational Pillar of Press Freedom
• The Power of Moral Imagination: Co-Designing Our Future
• Institutionalizing Care: Moving from Policy to Newsroom Practice
• Open Call: Community-Led Innovations and Experiential Workshops
• Global Lessons in Solidarity: Centering Perspectives from the Global South

The formats for sessions include:

• Keynote (30 min): An inspiring talk suited for large audiences, grounded in personal expertise and experience.
• Panel (50 or 90 min): A moderated conversation with 3–4 panelists exploring a relevant topic from different perspectives.
• Case Study (50 min): A presentation of practical experiences, successful initiatives, or research outcomes relevant to mental health and journalism.
• Experiential Workshop (90 to 120 min): A hands-on session using experiential methods — such as breathwork, mindfulness, movement, or creative practices — to support the wellbeing of participants.
• Lightning Talk (5 min): A concise presentation of an innovative idea, research finding, or emerging practice.

How to apply

Proposals should by submitted on this page by 31 May, 23:59 PST. Interested applicants can register here for the info session scheduled for May 13.