2026 BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CONVENING

About

The 2026 Behavioral Health Convening will be held in-person at the University of North Carolina Pembroke and will be an opportunity for institutions to develop ideas, share best practices, and discuss the mechanisms and steps needed to nurture a healthy and resilient student community.

We are delighted to present this convening in partnership with the North Carolina Community Colleges and North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities to expand this important dialogue across the state.

WHO: UNC System, NC Community Colleges, and NC Independent Colleges & Universities Faculty, Staff, and Students
WHEN: Monday, May 18 – Tuesday, May 19, 2026

• • 5/18 – Pre-Conference Sessions: 9am-4pm | Opening Reception: 5:00pm-7:00pm
  • 5/13 – Breakout Sessions: 8:30am-5pm
    *Tentative schedule – subject to slight changes

WHERE: UNC Pembroke, Pembroke NC
THEME: Brave Conversations. Bold Action

Convening Goals

• Engage in conversations about innovative and evidence-informed programming that supports student mental health, social connection, and well-being
• Discuss the scope of student mental health challenges on campuses and better understand current trends and issues within student mental health, including but not limited to eating concerns, social media, suicidality, and substance use
• Share strategies and ideas to promote increased education and access to mental health services for a diverse population of students, their experiences, and across different campus environments
• Explore the relationship among counseling centers, wellness initiatives, and other campus support services with faculty, staff, student leaders, and community members, to increase collaboration, communication, and understanding about how these efforts work in tandem to address the overall health and wellness of students
• Identify opportunities to enhance a campus culture of care and inclusivity to combat faculty/staff burnout and attrition, including campus wide self-care initiatives, cross-campus support for critical incidents, and enhancing skills and self-assurance in handling student behavioral health concerns.