What an incredible two days! Collaboration in Action: A Youth-Based Mental Health Conference, held March 5–6, 2026 at the School of Visual Arts in New York City, brought together more than 100 passionate practitioners, educators, and youth-serving professionals for an energizing and deeply meaningful experience.
From the moment the conference began, the atmosphere was filled with curiosity, connection, and a shared commitment to supporting young people. Attendees engaged in a dynamic lineup of workshops and sessions that explored everything from trauma-informed care to creative, expressive approaches—leaving with practical tools and fresh perspectives they can bring directly into their work.
A highlight of the conference was the inspiring keynote from Cathy Malchiodi, whose expertise in art therapy and trauma-informed practice set the tone for two days of thoughtful learning and reflection. As one attendee shared, “This was a great opportunity to learn from Cathy Malchiodi, whose textbooks I learned from and now use in my classes.”
Throughout the event, participants emphasized not only the quality of the content, but the sense of community and connection that made the experience so special:
“Just excellent. Inspiring, informative, compassionate and fun.”
“Great learning and new perspectives on current practices.”
“This was a really amazing and engaging session. I loved it!”
“Fantastic presentation, I found it very informative. The presenter was very engaging.”
Many reflected on how meaningful it was to center youth voice and mental health in today’s world:
“Conversations around mental health…are very important. Having youth involved in the conversations are important because they are experiencing what’s going on as well and need the space to talk about it.”
Others highlighted the practical value of the sessions:
“This workshop helped me gain knowledge about engaging youth with various neurodivergent and neuroatypical presentations, showing that sensory techniques don’t have to require a lot of resources.”
And perhaps most powerfully, attendees spoke to how the conference made them feel:
“Thank you for helping me feel seen, heard, and creating a much needed safe space to be me!”
“This session felt very welcoming and comfortable. Great conversation. I wish it was longer.”
This year’s conference was more than professional development—it was a space for reflection, renewal, and real connection.
We are deeply grateful to everyone who made Collaboration in Action 2026 such a success. Thank you to all who attended, bringing your energy, insight, and openness. Thank you to our dedicated volunteers, whose support made every detail possible. And thank you to our incredible presenters, who shared their expertise and passion so generously.
Together, you created something truly special—and we can’t wait to build on this momentum in the year ahead.
Click here to see more photos and videos from the conference
