Southern Illinois Behavioral Health Summit

/https://siu.edu/search-results.php

Last Updated: Jun 05, 2026, 11:49 AM

Social Work Conference Web Banner

Coming soon

  • Registration
  • Sponsorship Details
  • CEU details

First Annual Southern Illinois Behavioral Health Summit

September 24-25, 2026 | Southern Illinois University

Join us for the premiere in-person behavioral health continuing education event in the Midwest! The Southern Illinois Behavioral Health Summit brings together nationally recognized experts and local professionals from the fields of social work, counseling, nursing, medicine, education, and addiction treatment.

Call for Presentations

Joseph T. Monahan - Keynote Presenter

Joseph T MonahoanJoseph T. Monahan (Joe) is founder of the Chicago law firm, Monahan Law Group, LLC. Trained as a social worker before going to law school, Joe has been an active member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) for decades.

Over the past three decades as an attorney, Joe and the firm have been involved in groundbreaking legal issues impacting social workers and their clients.

Joe successfully argued a case in the Illinois Supreme Court concerning the confidentiality of records in domestic relations proceedings, was lead trial counsel on the first same-sex adoption case in Illinois and also was the plaintiff (then later appointed co-chair of the Rule 706 expert panel) in the largest lawsuit ever brought against DCFS. Joe and the firm represent approximately 90 hospitals in the Chicago metropolitan area and provide legal representation and advocacy to numerous outpatient mental health clinics, child welfare agencies, and social workers throughout the state.

  • Featured Topics Include:

    • Innovations in Treatment: New trends, approaches, and evidence-based practices.
    • Trauma-Informed Care: Best practices for working with trauma survivors across various settings.
    • Mental Health Crisis Management: Strategies for de-escalation, intervention, and community resources.
    • Peer Services in Behavioral Health: Leveraging lived experience for support, advocacy, and empowerment in recovery.
    • Cultural Competency in Behavioral Health: Addressing disparities and improving access to care for marginalized populations.
    • Ethical Challenges : Navigating dilemmas and ensuring client-centered care.
    • Burnout Prevention and Self-Care: Techniques for enhancing resilience and mental wellness for professionals.

  • Event Highlights:

    • Networking Opportunities with peers, experts, and thought leaders.
    • Continental Breakfast & Lunch Included in your admission.
    • Exclusive Access to the latest behavioral health research and practices.

Call for Presentations

The Southern Illinois University (SIU) Social Work Summit invites professionals, educators, and students to submit presentation proposals. We are seeking abstracts on behavioral health, social policy, and community practice that drive meaningful change. The deadline to submit is June 22, 2026.  

Topics may include (but are not limited to):

  • Cultural competence
  • Implicit bias awareness
  • Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias
  • Clinical supervision
  • Children’s services
  • Nursing in behavioral health
  • Trauma and trauma-informed care
  • Peer services
  • Serious mental illness
  • School social work
  • Psychiatric medications
  • Multidisciplinary practice
  • Criminal justice system services
  • Medication-assisted treatment
  • Harm reduction services
  • Homeless populations
  • Substance use disorders

Presentation Details:

  • Sessions are 60 minutes, including 10–15 minutes for questions
  • Submit a separate form for each proposed program

How to Submit:

  • Complete the online Program Submission Form (must be completed in one sitting)

Additional Information:

  • If you need to update your submission after completing the form, contact Joe Harper at joseph.harper@siu.edu
  • All presenters must register for the conference

Submission deadline is June 22, 2026.

Call for Proposals Online Form

Application details

Information needed to complete the online application

  • Learning objectives (3 minimum)
  • Marketing Description
  • Program Description (150 words or less)
  • Program breakdown
  • Presenter(s) bio

A Full CV and bio of each presenter and photo/headshot must be submitted via email to joseph.harper@siu.edu (Deadline: June 22)

Gather all needed information listed above you start the online form.

  • Program submissions are not considered complete and ready for review until all presenters’ information have been submitted.
  • As the primary presenter, you are responsible for ensuring information is submitted in a timely manner.

General Information

Program Title

Primary Presenter Name

Additional Presenter Name (if 2nd presenter present)

Additional Presenter Name (if 3rd presenter present)

List at least three learning objectives (After this session, attendees will be able to)

Marketing description of program – exactly how you would like it to appear in the Summit program (60 words or less)

Program description (150 words or less)

Program breakdown (put approximate percent next to type of activity):

______% Lecture

______% Case studies

______% Group discussion

______% Activity

______% Demonstrations

______% Live polling

______% Other ___________________________________________________

Provide number of sessions you are willing to Present (1-4 times)

Contact information for the primary and additional presenters

Name (as you’d like it to appear in the program)

Affiliation/Organization/School

Mailing Address

Day Phone

Cell

Email