Bridging the gap between faith and mental health
Training, education, and community for mental health in the church. We equip ministry leaders, congregations, and mental health professionals to care for the whole person.
The Faith + Mental Health Virtual Summit
Join us online for the 2027 Faith + Mental Health Summit on Friday and Saturday, May 21–22. This year the summit is fully virtual, so attendees from around the world can take part in expert-led discussions, practical strategies, and sessions on faith and mental wellness without travel. Friday also includes the Faith + Mental Health Awards ceremony.
By attending, faith leaders, community members, and health and wellness providers gain the tools, strategies, and resources needed to transform lives in their families and communities. Registrants have access to speakers, exclusive giveaways, practical handouts, training sessions, and networking.
Why this summit
There is an urgent need for education, resources, and practical strategies around health and wellness in our communities, including the church. Every day, people struggle with anxiety, depression, poverty, social isolation, health issues, and addiction. Many still suffer in silence because of stigma, lack of understanding, and shame.
This event bridges the gap between faith and holistic health, offering professional solutions and resources to address mental health where people live and worship.
Speaker sessions and the Faith + Mental Health Awards ceremony.
A full day of sessions across the conference tracks. Join from anywhere in the world.
Partner With the Summit
Connect your ministry, business, or organization with leaders in faith and mental health. Our previous gatherings have drawn more than 500 virtual attendees from around the world. Every partnership includes a virtual vendor listing, a spot in the attendee digital swag bags, and recognition in digital program materials and online promotions.
Community Supporter
$125- Flyer, e-book, or digital business card in the digital swag bags
- One virtual vendor listing
- Listed as a vendor on the website
Partner Recognition
$250- Everything in Community Supporter
- Listed as a sponsor on the event website
- Verbal acknowledgment during remarks
- Thank-you mention in event materials and emails
Visibility Partner
$500- Everything in Partner Recognition
- Social media graphics and YouTube recognition
- Your logo on the virtual event platform and website
- Recognition in the e-booklet
Virtual Engagement Partner
$750- Everything in Visibility Partner
- Podcast shout-out
- Virtual platform promotion (optional video commercial)
- Online 5-minute presentation
- Special gift
Premier Event Partner
$1,000- Everything in Virtual Engagement Partner
- Online 15-minute presentation
- Podcast commercial (15–20 seconds)
- Featured logo placement on the platform and website
- Acknowledgment at the mini awards ceremony
Media partnerships
Media outlets can join as a trade partner: you promote the summit through your channels, and we share your brand with medical doctors, therapists and counselors, mental health organizations, and pastors and ministry networks. In-kind sponsorships are also available.
Ready to partner?
Open the prospectus, complete the partnership application on the last page, and return it to faithandmentalhealth1@gmail.com. Once approved, you'll receive a follow-up email.
faithandmentalhealth1@gmail.comSubject line: "2027 Summit Partnership"
Call for Submissions
We are seeking speaker proposals, letters of intent for papers, poster presentations, and award nominations from people passionate about the intersection of faith and mental health.
| Opportunity | Deadline | Notification |
|---|---|---|
| Speaker proposals | Feb 1, 2027 · 11:59 PM EST | Feb 15, 2027 |
| Poster proposals | Feb 15, 2027 | Feb 28, 2027 |
| Letters of intent for papers | Feb 15, 2027 · 11:59 PM EST | Mar 1, 2027 |
| Award nominations | Apr 1, 2027 | Announced May 21, 2027 |
Choose a submission type to see its guidelines and form:
Call for Speakers
We are now accepting speaker proposals for the 2027 Faith + Mental Health Virtual Summit: a global gathering for faith and mental wellness, held entirely online so we can reach a global audience.
Speaking slots are limited. We receive many more proposals than we can accept and are looking for a diverse lineup of speakers and topics across all tracks. All 2027 sessions are virtual.
Notification of acceptance by February 15, 2027. Please do not email asking for updates.
Your submission should include
- An overview of your proposed talk
- The conference track that best fits your topic
- A brief biography
- Contact information (phone and email)
- Links to past presentations (optional, encouraged)
Trouble with the form? Email your submission to faithandmentalhealth1@gmail.com. Incomplete submissions will not be considered. Keep a copy for your records.
Expectations
- This is a mental health education conference, not a motivational speaking platform.
- Submissions centered only on sermons, revival-style messages, books, or personal testimonies without clinical or evidence-based grounding will not be considered.
- We do not accept presentations that promote unverified healing claims, unfounded cures, or content that discourages professional mental health care.
- All content should show ethical responsibility and respect for the complexity of mental health conditions.
- Submissions must come directly from the presenter (no third-party submissions). Selected contributors are not paid an honorarium. Every presentation should be clinically sound.
Conference tracks
- Family and Marriage
- Addiction and Recovery
- Counselor
- Faith and Mental Health
- Ethnic Minority
- Neuroscience and Psychiatry
- Child and Adolescent
- Anxiety, Grief, and Depression
- Holistic Health (Wellness + Nutrition)
- Mental Health, General (treatment, research)
Topic examples
Examples only, not a guide. We are not looking for sermons, testimonials, or self-promotion.
Review and speaker coordination
Every proposal is reviewed for fit. When several submissions cover similar topics, we select the one that best fits the summit's goals. You will receive an email confirming we received your submission, and all submitters will hear their status by February 15, 2027.
Mandatory Zoom session: all selected speakers must attend one Zoom session (date TBA). Speakers who do not attend are removed from the lineup.
Letters of Intent for Papers
We are accepting letters of intent for manuscripts to be included in our digital publication for the 2027 Faith + Mental Health Virtual Summit.
Your letter of intent should briefly describe your proposed submission (max 550 words). Name all authors and include a brief biography and contact information (phone and email). Incomplete submissions will not be considered. One submission per person.
Those selected will be invited to submit a full manuscript of 1,000 to 4,000 words that follows the provided guidelines. All manuscripts are reviewed and final acceptance is not guaranteed.
Send your letter of intent to faithandmentalhealth1@gmail.com by February 15, 2027 at 11:59 PM EST. Notification of acceptance by March 1, 2027.
faithandmentalhealth1@gmail.comSubject line: "2027 Summit Letter of Intent"
Topics we welcome
- General mental health topics
- Specific mental health disorders
- Addiction and recovery
- New trends and treatment options
- Contributions from clinical practitioners
- Solutions for the church to implement
- Contributions from clergy
- Cultural competency and best practices
- Pediatric and adolescent mental health
- The medical and biological side of mental health
- Holistic health (wellness + nutrition)
Review and selection
Submissions received after the deadlines will not be considered. You will receive an email acknowledgment when we receive your submission. Mandatory Zoom session: all selected manuscript authors must attend one Zoom session (date TBA). Authors who do not attend are removed from the final lineup.
Call for Poster Presentations
Poster topics are open to any presentation relevant to the intersection of faith and mental health. Poster sessions are a chance to present research data or innovative practices in an informal format. Under the research category, we welcome current research of any kind, including applied research, experimental research, program evaluations, and literature reviews.
The call for posters closes February 15, 2027. Acceptance notifications go out by February 28, 2027. Final work and supplemental materials are due April 20, 2027. Send submissions to faithandmentalhealth1@gmail.com.
faithandmentalhealth1@gmail.comSubject line: "2027 Summit Poster Proposal"
Your submission must include
- An 8–10 word title
- A 25–50 word abstract
- A one- to two-page summary
- 2–5 keywords
- The poster category
- Primary presenter's name, address, phone, and email
- Names of any additional presenters
Review and selection
Submissions are evaluated on quality and fit with the event, and final acceptance is not guaranteed. Late submissions will not be considered. Mandatory Zoom session: all selected poster presenters must attend one Zoom session (date TBA). Presenters who do not attend are removed from the final lineup.
2027 Faith + Mental Health Awards
Celebrate the work being done to integrate faith and mental health by nominating an outstanding individual, team, or organization. These awards recognize significant contributions to mental health advocacy, education, and innovation at local, national, and global levels. Nominees can be clinicians, advocates, or organizations, and the same nominee can be entered in all four categories where it fits.
Ralph and Bernice Cunningham Community Mental Health Award
Honors those improving mental health in underserved communities, including returning citizens, low-income populations, ethnic minorities, and other marginalized groups, through initiatives that promote wellness, access to care, and community support.
Faith + Mental Health Pioneer Award
Recognizes advocates, researchers, and innovators leading the integration of faith and mental health, including those educating faith communities and advocating for holistic approaches to well-being.
Global Mental Health Award
Celebrates work with global impact: delivering mental health solutions, resources, or advocacy to diverse populations worldwide, including training clinicians and support roles in other nations, in person or remotely.
Youth Mental Health Advocacy Award
Recognizes those raising awareness for youth mental health, including youth suicide prevention, substance abuse awareness, and other issues affecting young people's well-being.
Submit a Nomination
Eligibility: nominees must have made a significant contribution to their field within the past two years. Deadline: April 1, 2027.
Complete the nomination form with the nominee's name and contact, the award category, and a detailed description of their achievements and why they deserve the award. Winners will be announced and celebrated online on Friday, May 21, 2027 during the summit.
Equip. Empower. Transform culture.
The Faith + Mental Health Training Institute offers customized training that helps ministries, churches, and organizations build a mentally healthy, spiritually strong, and emotionally safe environment for leaders and the people they serve.
In person or virtual, we work with your leadership and team to build an integrated understanding of mental wellness that reflects your faith values, strengthens your internal culture, and supports long-term organizational health.
Who it's for
- Church and ministry leadership teams
- Nonprofit and faith-based organizations
- Program staff, volunteers, and support workers
- Community groups deepening wellness and support practices
Flexible format
- In-person sessions
- Virtual workshops
- One-time intensives or ongoing training tracks
Mental Health & Wellness Integration
Make mental health part of your ministry or organizational mission, connecting faith-based principles with evidence-informed wellness practices without compromising either.
Creating a Supportive Culture
Build a culture that supports emotional well-being, encourages openness, and fosters creative problem-solving. A supportive environment is healthier, more productive, and more sustainable.
Destigmatizing Mental Health
Explore the roots of stigma in faith-based and cultural contexts and get tools to change those narratives. Your team will learn to talk about mental health with clarity, compassion, and confidence.
Behavior, Culture, and Mental Health
Examine how mental health concerns show up in organizational culture, through burnout, disconnection, or poor communication, and how to address them early and effectively.
We will assess your team's needs and build a training plan that fits your goals, schedule, and context. Creating a mentally healthy environment is essential: equip your team to serve others without neglecting their own well-being.
DSM-5 and the Church
Ministry leaders, can you recognize a mental health crisis in your congregation? Many believers are silently battling emotional and psychological distress. It's time for the church to become more equipped, informed, and compassionate.
This webinar helps faith leaders respond wisely to mental health challenges using insights from the DSM-5, the standard diagnostic tool used in clinical settings.
In this training, you'll learn
- How to recognize key signs and symptoms of mental health disorders
- Who can diagnose, and how diagnoses are made using the DSM-5
- When and how to refer people for professional help
- How churches can offer spiritual support without overstepping clinical boundaries
All participants receive online access to the DSM-5 and the Church e-book.
For pastors, ministry leaders, care team members, and church counselors. New dates will be announced; churches can also request a private session for their team.
The Faith + Mental Health Podcast
Hosted by D'Andrea Bolden, the podcast explores the intersection of faith, science, and holistic health. Through conversations and reflections, D'Andrea addresses mental wellness, addiction recovery, and the power of integrative care.
Moments From Our Events
D'Andrea Bolden
D'Andrea Bolden, the visionary founder of Faith + Mental Health, is a prolific writer who enjoys writing nonfiction books for a diverse audience. She is a gifted communicator and a sought-after speaker for mental health, corporate, and faith-based events.
D'Andrea has earned a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology with a minor in Chemistry, a Master's Degree in Counseling, and a Master's Degree in Medical Sciences. In addition to her academic achievements, she has also earned a certification in AI Development.
Her extensive work in the nonprofit sector reflects her commitment to community impact. She has developed innovative programs and camps that promote STEM education, youth entrepreneurship, and family support services. As host of the annual Faith + Mental Health Summit and the Faith + Mental Health Podcast, she advocates for the integration of faith and science in holistic health practices.
She is passionate about the intersection of faith and health, understanding that scientific evidence supports the benefits of an integrative, multidimensional, holistic approach. Ultimately, D'Andrea wants to see the faith-based community free of stigma and knowledgeable about how to address every aspect of health.
As an author, she has published several books, including Black Health: Considered From A Holistic Perspective. D'Andrea lives in Michigan with her husband, John, and their two children.
Volunteer Opportunities
Want to help at the 2027 Faith + Mental Health Virtual Summit? Email us with your details and the area(s) you're interested in.
Submitting an application does not guarantee selection; volunteers are chosen based on the needs of the conference. Volunteers are not paid for their services.
Include in your email
- First and last name
- Email and phone
- State of residence
- Link to your Facebook page
- Area(s) of interest
- A few details about yourself and why you'd like to volunteer
faithandmentalhealth1@gmail.comSubject line: "2027 Summit Volunteer"
Contact Us
Bring the Faith + Mental Health Training Institute to your team, book D'Andrea to speak, request a DSM-5 and the Church session, or ask about the summit.
faithandmentalhealth1@gmail.comFaith + Mental Health is an education organization and does not provide crisis services. If you need help now, call or text 988.
Our Mission
Faith + Mental Health exists to bridge the gap between faith and mental health through training, partnerships, events, writing, and video.
Why we exist
To bridge the gap between faith and mental health by providing quality trainings, community and professional partnerships, educational events, writings, and videos. We are strong believers in holistic health and will continue to advocate for integrative, holistic mental health care for everyone.
Where we're going
A safe space where faith and mental health operate together for the good of people in need of traditional or integrative professional services, all the way down to the community level. We will keep working to end the stigma and misconceptions that disproportionately cause minorities and the faith-based community to avoid professional mental health services.
Resource Provision
Maintain and expand a directory of providers, e-learning opportunities, and events that equip faith communities and individuals with tools for mental health support.
Education and Awareness
Develop and share educational materials, including articles, blog posts, and courses, that deepen understanding of where faith and mental health meet.
Community Engagement
Host events like the annual Faith + Mental Health Summit to connect faith leaders, mental health professionals, and community members.
Advocacy
Promote the integration of faith and mental health in public discourse, reduce stigma, and encourage holistic approaches to well-being.
Guided by experts and leaders
The Faith + Mental Health Steering Committee guides and supports the mission of bridging the gap between faith and mental health. Drawing on its members' expertise, the committee provides strategic direction, ensures accountability, and fosters collaboration among faith leaders, mental health professionals, and the community.
Through its work, the committee aims to create environments where spiritual and mental health care work together to support individuals and communities in need.
The committee is dedicated to
- Promoting awareness and education about the intersection of faith and mental health
- Advocating to reduce stigma and misconceptions about mental health in faith-based and minority communities
- Helping develop and carry out programs, events, and resources aligned with holistic well-being
- Monitoring progress and keeping the initiative aligned with its mission and objectives
Resources
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988En español: press 2. Free, confidential, 24/7 crisis counseling and referrals through a national network of local crisis centers. The former number, 1-800-273-8255, still connects.
Chat onlineCrisis Text Line
Text HOME to 741741Available 24/7 across the U.S. for anyone in any type of crisis, connecting you with a trained crisis counselor.
crisistextline.orgVeterans Crisis Line
Dial 988, press 1Or text 838255. Free, confidential, 24/7 support for all veterans, even those not registered with the VA.
Veterans Crisis ChatDisaster Distress Helpline
1-800-985-5990Call or text. Immediate, multilingual crisis counseling for emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster, 24/7.
samhsa.govWorried about a friend's social media posts? Contact the platform directly, or dial 911 in an emergency.
General
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
- The largest nationwide grassroots mental health advocacy organization, with hundreds of state organizations, affiliates, and volunteers. A hub for support groups, free education, and community. NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-NAMI (6264).
- Mental Health Resources (MHR)
- A nonprofit providing community-based mental health services to adults, especially those with medical, social, or substance-related comorbidities.
- American Psychiatric Association
- The world's largest professional organization of psychiatrists, with patient education on a range of conditions plus news, research, and policy developments.
Government
- MedlinePlus: Mental Health
- The National Library of Medicine's collection on conditions, treatments, research, medications, terminology, and clinical trials.
- World Health Organization: Mental Health Atlas
- Global data on mental health policy, prevalence, services, medicines, and professionals, searchable by region or country.
- U.S. Department of Health & Human Services: Mental Health
- Government information drawn from the CDC, NIH, NIMH, MedlinePlus, and SAMHSA for the public, providers, policymakers, schools, and communities.
Ethnic / Minority Mental Health
- Therapy for Black Girls
- Therapist locator, community, and articles supporting the wellness of Black women and girls.
- Black Mental Health Alliance
- Connects individuals with therapists and provides professional training.
- BEAM: Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective
- Mental health training, toolkits, and a directory of licensed Black therapists offering online services.
- Asian American Psychological Association
- Fact sheets on trauma, violence exposure, intimate partner violence, student adjustment, bullying, and suicide.
- Asians Do Therapy
- Reduces stigma and improves access to therapy, with guidance on finding a therapist.
- Asian Mental Health Collective
- Raises awareness in Asian diasporic communities and maintains a nationwide APIDA therapist directory.
- Latinx Therapy
- A directory of therapists and helpful information for the Latinx community.
- Therapy for Latinx
- Verified therapists, psychiatrists, clinics, emergency mental health, and support groups for the Latinx community.
- National Alliance for Hispanic Health
- Health information plus a helpline (866-783-2645) for help navigating the health system.
- Tribal Affairs, SAMHSA
- Government services for Native American communities. SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357.
- Behavioral Health, Indian Health Service
- Information on behavioral health, mental health, and suicide prevention.
- Center for Native American Youth
- Tools including videos, peer-to-peer engagement activities, and a resource exchange.
Substance Use
- Smokefree.gov
- Created by the CDC and NIH, with ideas and downloadable resources for quitting tobacco plus online and phone counseling contacts.
- SAMHSA
- Information on all kinds of substance use disorders for the public, families, health professionals, and schools.
- FindTreatment.gov
- SAMHSA's treatment finder for locating a substance use treatment provider near you.
Eating Disorders
- ANAD
- Information on eating disorders, how to seek treatment, and free support groups for people with eating disorders and their families.
- National Alliance for Eating Disorders
- Free therapist-led support groups, a treatment referral helpline (1-866-662-1235), and resources for families and school professionals.
Training
- Mental Health First Aid
- Courses that teach you to recognize and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges.
Partner With Us
Faith + Mental Health partners with Seasons of Change Ministries to receive all tax-deductible donations on our behalf. When you give, write "FMH" or "Faith and Mental Health" in the memo or message so your gift supports the Faith + Mental Health initiative and its programs. Your generosity keeps our resources, education, and annual summit accessible to all.
Givelify
Give to Seasons of Change Ministries on Givelify. Add "FMH" in the memo.
PayPal
Send your gift to Seasons of Change Ministries through PayPal. Add "FMH" in the message.
Mail a check
Seasons of Change
PO Box 20101
Kalamazoo, MI 49019