Shaping The Future Of Youth Mental Health: Child & Adolescent Mental Health Conference Returns In 2026

Australia’s largest gathering of professionals dedicated to child and adolescent mental health will return to the Gold Coast in March 2026, bringing together the sector to respond to the complex and evolving needs of young people.

Supported by the Australian & New Zealand Mental Health Association, the 2026 Child & Adolescent Mental Health Conference (CAMH26) will take place from 16–18 March 2026 at the RACV Royal Pines Resort, welcoming more than 400 clinicians, researchers, educators, policymakers, service leaders and lived-experience advocates from across Australia and New Zealand.

Building on the momentum of previous years, CAMH26 will provide a national platform for collaboration, learning and practical action at a time when demand for child and youth mental health services continues to grow.

The 2026 program reflects the most urgent and emerging challenges facing children, adolescents and those who support them, with a strong focus on evidence-informed practice, prevention, early intervention and system-wide responses.

Key program themes include:

Neurodiversity, identity and inclusive practice

Trauma, adversity and development across the lifespan

Social media, technology and digital wellbeing

Family systems, carers and relational supports

Early childhood mental health and the first 2000 days

School-based and community-led interventions

Youth voice, lived experience and co-design

Across three days, the conference will feature keynote presentations, panels, workshops and concurrent sessions delivered by leading experts from research, policy, frontline practice and lived experience. The program also creates space for critical conversations around emerging policy, service reform and the future of mental health care for children and young people.

ANZMHA Chief Executive Officer Sam Stewart said the conference plays a vital role in supporting the workforce and strengthening outcomes for young people:

“CAMH26 is about coming together to share knowledge, learn from each other, and translate evidence into practice, all with the goal of improving mental health and wellbeing outcomes for young people and their families.”

In addition to the formal program, CAMH26 will offer extensive networking opportunities, on-demand access to sessions post-conference, and a supportive environment designed to foster connection across disciplines and sectors.

The 2026 Child & Adolescent Mental Health Conference will be held at RACV Royal Pines Resort, Gold Coast, from 16–18 March 2026.

For more information or to view the full program, visit: https://anzmh.asn.au/camhc

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