Mental Health Conference FAQs

The 2026 Active Minds Mental Health Conference is the nation’s leading mental health conference for young adults.

This highly anticipated annual conference brings together hundreds of young adults and mental health advocates from across the country to share ideas and advance knowledge about mental health education, advocacy, and awareness.

The conference will showcase the most innovative and effective approaches for youth and young adults to mobilize, transforming how mental health is valued and prioritized on campuses, in schools, in the transition to the workplace, and within our communities.

This year includes the first ever Hill Day, where attendees will go to Capitol Hill and break out into teams to meet with various representatives from Congress to advocate for vital mental health policies.

The full conference schedule will be published closer to the conference day. Registered attendees will be sent the schedule in advance.

Most of our attendees are ages 18-25, and we welcome all who want to champion a new era of mental health.

The 2026 Conference will be held Thursday, July 16 at the Hilton Rosslyn The Key Hotel and on Capitol Hill with the new Hill Day activity. Information about keynotes and all other programming will be listed on the Conference Page.

Active Minds has a special conference rate at the Hilton Rosslyn The Key Hotel, and all conference attendees are encouraged to stay there. This rate is available until June 22, 2026 , or when all rooms are booked.

Join us at the Hilton Rosslyn The Key. Having opened in August 2025, Hilton Rosslyn The Key is an innovative hotel designed to create energizing experiences and connections. Featuring beautiful views of the Potomac River and the Washington D.C. skyline, the hotel is located close to numerous attractions and historic sites — offering all you need for an unforgettable trip to D.C.

Hilton Rosslyn The Key is located in the Rosslyn neighborhood of Arlington, minutes from the DC attractions and Georgetown. The Rosslyn Metro Station (Blue, Orange, and Silver Lines) is a block away. While planning your trip, use this map with directions from local airports.

The hotel offers self-parking for $45 per day.

• Reagan National Airport
• Washington Dulles International Airport
• Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport

While planning your trip, use this map with directions from local airports.

Except for a Metro Card (with escorted transportation to and from Hill Day) included in the registration cost, transportation is not provided. The hotel is easily accessible to the Rosslyn Metro Station (Blue, Orange, and Silver Lines).

Yes, registration includes three meals: breakfast,lunch, and dinner on the day of Conference, July 16th.

Yes. Vegan/Vegetarian and gluten-free meals are available. Please make sure to select your food preference on the registration form, as this is the only way we’ll know how to accommodate your needs through our catering orders.

You are also welcome to bring your own food or take advantage of food options near the Hilton Rosslyn The Key hotel.

If you have additional concerns about food allergies or dietary restrictions, please contact conference@activeminds.org.

If you are registering five or more attendees, we do offer a 20% group registration discount that will be automatically applied through the registration form.

Please head to this form to register!

Early Registration: Those who register early will receive a significant discount, $60 for young adults and $110 for general.

Regular Registration: In May, early registration rate will end and the cost will become $110 for young adults and $160 for general.

Registration will close July 6th. On-site registration will not be available.

The registration fee covers the cost to attend the 2026 Active Minds Mental Health Conference, which includes all programming, conference materials, a Metro Card, multiple meals, and exclusive swag.

Please make hotel and travel arrangements separately.

A discounted early registration fee is available until regular registration rates take effect in May. We also offer a 20% group registration discount for those registering five or more attendees.

Financial assistance stipends are available for young adults. See that FAQ section for more details.

Yes, as long as you confirm the transfer before Thursday, July 2, 2026. To do so, contact conference@activeminds.org with the name of the original registrant and the name and contact information for the individual replacing them.

No, on-site registration is not available.

We can offer a refund on the registration fee until July 2, 2026, at 4pm ET. We are not able to offer refunds after this cut-off date because meals and other event expenses will have been confirmed.

Active Minds aims to provide a conference that is accessible to people who are passionate about changing the culture around mental health, despite potential financial barriers. Stipend funding is available for young adults (ages 18–25) to assist with mitigating the financial barrier that prevents youth and young adults from attending our Mental Health Conference.

Stipends will be awarded to those who qualify on a first-come, first-served basis. The first 50 young adults to register will be offered the chance to claim a $200 stipend that can be used for travel and lodging expenses.

Register now before all stipends are awarded!

All young adults who are awarded a stipend will receive discounted Conference registration and $200 to assist with lodging or travel expenses related to the Active Minds Mental Health Conference.

Please note that your stipend may not cover the full cost of your lodging or travel needs. If awarded a stipend but become unable to attend Conference, you will be responsible for returning the full stipend amount.

Stipends are processed via BILL.com (direct deposit) or PayPal.

If you choose BILL.com, you’ll receive an email titled “Active Minds EFT Payment Setup.”

1. Accept the invite and follow the included PDF instructions to create your account.
2. Once your account and bank are verified, we’ll enter an invoice for your stipend.
3. You’ll get email updates when the invoice is pending approval, approved, and paid, along with the estimated arrival date.

For questions, contact Active Minds’ Senior Associate, Accounting, at maddie.sloan@activeminds.org.

If you already have a BILL.com account or want to set one up before receiving the invite, please send us your Payment Network ID (PNI). To find it:

1. Log into BILL.com and click your initials in the top right corner.
2. Select Profile.
3. Navigate to Company Settings > Company Profile > Network.
4. Copy your PNI and send it to chapters@activeminds.org.

If you choose the PayPal option, please provide your PayPal email address to chapters@activeminds.org.

Due to the high volume of stipend applications we receive, your stipend is non-transferable. We carefully review each application to ensure that funds are being distributed equitably.

If a stipend recipient can no longer attend Conference and have already received the funds, they must reimburse Active Minds for the full stipend amount.

No. Stipends are to assist in lodging or travel expenses related to the Active Minds Mental Health Conference only and are non-transferable.

If you are awarded a Conference stipend, you will receive a discounted registration rate for Conference.

Your Conference Registration Fee covers the cost of meals provided to you during the conference. No additional funds are provided for meals as part of the stipend.

Our team has thoroughly researched and calculated the average hotel night cost to determine a fixed rate for stipend recipients.

Our team has a responsibility to equitably distribute funds to all stipend recipients to ensure that all stipend recipients have the chance and opportunity to attend our Mental Health Conference. With this in mind, we are not able to provide an additional amount to the original amount that was awarded.

If you need help with a payment, please contact conference@activeminds.org.

Our online registration system only accepts payment via credit card.  If you need to pay via check or cash, please email conference@activeminds.org for registration assistance.

Your company or organization is invited to become a sponsor at the 2026 Active Minds Mental Health Conference. Sponsorship Packet will be available soon!

If you have any additional questions, please contact us at conference@activeminds.org to discuss partnership and sponsorship opportunities. We’re happy to work with you!

Yes. Sponsorship packages can be customized depending on your organization’s needs.  Please contact conference@activeminds.org and we’ll be happy to work with you.

At the Hill Day portion of this year’s conference, you’ll meet with staff members from Congressional offices to help educate them about mental health, share why this issue matters to you, and request their support on our legislative priorities. Advocates are assigned to teams of 3–6 people, each led by an experienced team leader. Throughout the event, your team will participate in 4–6 meetings with Congressional offices representing your state(s).

Our Hill Day request will focus on increasing awareness of 988 services and school-based mental health resources through inclusion on student ID cards and other school-wide awareness efforts.

During advocate training, you’ll learn about the legislation you’ll be supporting, get to know your team members, and have dedicated time to practice and prepare together as a group.

You will receive your team assignment by email two weeks before Hill Day, and you’ll have digital access to your agenda and additional resources.

Absolutely! We will teach you everything you need to know to be an effective advocate and how to share your story. The Active Minds team, as well as your fellow advocates, will help support and prepare you for an awarding day.

We recommend business or business-casual attire. Comfortable shoes are encouraged, as there may be significant walking between meetings.

Please bring a government-issued photo ID for entry to Congressional buildings, as well as any personal items you may need throughout the day (e.g., snacks, water, medications).

Yes, all three meals on the day of the conference, July 16th, will be provided. This includes lunch on Capitol Hill.

Yes, while all meals will be provided, you are allowed to bring snacks and/or water, if you would like.

All buildings on Capitol Hill are ADA accessible.

Effective advocacy combines data and personal stories. Please be mindful of how sharing or hearing others’ stories may affect your mental health and plan accordingly. It is okay to sit out this year if it’s too challenging — your mental health is most important.

We welcome whatever you feel most comfortable in — you’ll see attendees repping their Active Minds t-shirts, showing off their own school spirit, and rocking business casual looks. We ask that you please avoid attire with inappropriate language or images. Please keep in mind that the hotel ballrooms can be on a colder-side temperature wise.

This year, during Hill Day and with being on Capitol Hill meeting with various representatives, you may want to dress closer to business or business casual (with apparel like collared shirts, blazers, pants or skirts, etc.). But that is not required and also feel free to bring a change of clothes for the evening programming!

Yes, the hotel and conference center are wheelchair accessible. We encourage all persons with disabilities to participate in our programs and activities. If you anticipate needing an accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please email conference@activeminds.org or call 202-332-9595 in advance.

We strive to host inclusive and accessible events that enable all individuals to engage fully. If you are in need of any services to ensure that you are able to engage fully in the conference, please reach out to conference@activeminds.org so that we can work to accommodate your needs.

Unfortunately, there will not be an Active Minds Store on site at this year’s Conference, due to the off-site event of Hill Day. Still feel free to visit the store online and pick up something new to wear in D.C.!

Active Minds is thrilled to recognize outstanding individuals, schools, chapters, and more during our 2026 Mental Health Conference. We anticipate the call for nominations will open in March 2026 and encourage you to check back for additional information.