Announcements

Millions of Americans live in behavioral health care deserts, areas with severe shortages of mental health providers, long wait times, high costs, and other barriers. These gaps leave countless individuals without timely care for conditions like depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders.

This SAMHSA advisory explores innovative, community-driven solutions to close these gaps and improve access to life-saving behavioral health services. One promising way to improve… read more

Save the date for the 2026 National Prevention Network (NPN) Conference

We invite you to join us for the 2026 National Prevention Network (NPN) Conference, taking place virtually on September 29–30, 2026.

Since its first gathering in 1988 in Kansas City, Missouri, the NPN Conference has brought together prevention leaders from across the country. Now in its fourth decade, the conference continues to connect 700–1,000 professionals each year who are committed to advancing… read more

Washington’s First Teen-Led Mental Health Summit is a student-driven and action-oriented event rewriting the typical narrative in the field of mental health to ensure youth are not just included in mental health conversations, but actively shaping solutions. Too often, discussions about youth mental health happen without youth in the room. This summit redefines history. 

​For the first time in Washington state, this summit is uniquely planned and led by youth… read more

By Steve Miller, CPS. Published by the PTTC Post. 

When you walked into your first prevention meeting, you may have experienced it. The agenda looked promising. The coffee was strong. People seemed kind. And then someone said: “Once we align our SPF with the EBP portfolio and crosswalk it with the YRBSS and NSDUH data, we’ll be in a good place for the CADCA deliverables.” You nodded politely, but you had no idea what just happened. Welcome to prevention’s alphabet soup!

… read more

The Science of Relationships is an engaging gathering of professionals focused on strengthening protective factors for youth through connection and health-promoting relationships. 

Free conference, April 28-29 in San Diego, California. 

Learning Objectives:

Young people are more likely to develop gambling problems than adults. Those who start gambling early are more likely to become addicted as they grow older. Risk factors include easy access to gambling, social acceptance, cultural norms, and early exposure during adolescence.

Throughout the month of March, the National Council on Problem Gambling offers resources to help local communities better understand the problem, along with access to support. If you're looking for additional… read more

May is Mental Health Awareness month. The 2026 Mental Health Month Planning Guide by Mental Health America (MHA) is now available in English and Spanish! This year’s theme, More Good Days, Together, focuses on helping people have more good days by meeting them where they are, supporting them as whole people, and understanding that “good” is defined by their unique experience and goals. 

Inside, you’ll find outreach ideas and examples, and ready-to-use communication tools… read more

Washington’s College Coalition on Substance misuse, Advocacy, and Prevention (CCSAP)’s annual conference and professional development meeting will be held virtually on Friday, May 8, 2026. 

Please save the date and look forward to more information soon. We will update the Athena Forum calendar event with information as it is made available. 

The Washington State Behavioral Health Advisory Council (BHAC) advises and educates HCA’s Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery (DBHR) on planning and implementing effective, integrated behavioral health services. These services promote individual choice, prevention, and recovery in Washington State.

The BHAC is actively recruiting new members with lived system experience with mental health and substance use disorders.

BHAC members are expected to attend BHAC meetings… read more

The Rural Network's Prevention Conference Planning Committee is inviting rural prevention youth groups to participate in a Rural Youth Perspective Questionnaire.

We want to hear directly from youth about what they think adults should be learning and discussing at the upcoming Rural Prevention Conference. Their voices matter — and we want the conference to reflect their real experiences, needs, and ideas.

What We’re Asking

We are hoping Prevention… read more