CALL FOR ABSTRACTS

SMHR 2025 CALL FOR ABSTRACTS ARE NOW CLOSED.

Abstract submissions for the Society for Mental Health Research (SMHR) 2025 Conference are now closed.

The theme for SMHR 2025 is “Pathways for Diversity, Equity and Personalisation in Mental Health Care”. In this year’s conference we hope to showcase a broad range of forward-thinking, dynamic approaches that not only embrace the latest advancements in our field but also ensure these innovations are accessible, relevant, and inclusive to diverse communities and individuals.

Event	Date
Abstract submissions open	Monday 28 April 2025
Abstract submissions close	~~Friday 4 July 2025 (extended to Monday 14 July 2025)~~ NOW CLOSED
Authors notified of abstract acceptance	~~Wednesday 3 September 2025~~ NOW THURSDAY 4 SEPTEMBER
Authors acceptance deadline	Wednesday 17 September 2025
Early-bird registration close/Presenter registration deadline	Tuesday 7 October 2025
SMHR 2025 Conference	Wednesday 19 – Friday 21 November 2025

Presentation Types

Authors will be required to indicate their preferred presentation type when submitting an abstract.

Please select Symposium if you wish to submit a complete Symposium session. Please have the lead researcher submit all of the abstracts under the one profile.
Please select Oral Presentation if you wish for your abstract to be considered for a regular Oral Presentation.
Please select Rapid Oral Presentation if you wish for your abstract to be considered for a 5-minute Rapid Oral Presentation.
Please select Poster if you wish to be considered for a Poster Presentation.
Please select New Ideas if you wish to be considered for a New Ideas Presentation.

Presentation Formats At The Conference

There will be five types of presentation formats at the Conference.

Combined submission of 4 – 6 individual presentations submitted by one author on behalf of the group and under one common theme. Preference is generally given to symposia that include diverse presenters (i.e. not all speakers from the same research team), ideally comprising speakers from at least two States/Territories/Nations. The time allocated per symposium is generally 60-90 minutes; session time will be confirmed in the acceptance letters.

Oral Presentations will be notified of their length of presentation time in the acceptance letters. Generally, 10–15 minutes including Q&A.

Abstracts not selected for Oral Presentations may be eligible for a Rapid Oral Presentation or Poster Presentation.

Each Rapid Oral Presentation will be 5 mins in duration, with a brief Q&A following all presentations within the session. Abstracts not selected for Rapid Oral Presentations may be eligible for a Poster Presentation.

A Poster Presentation constitutes a visual display of research projects. The poster must not extend beyond the boundaries of your display board – one display board will be allocated per poster. The poster display will be an integral part of the program with dedicated times for delegates to interact with poster authors and ask questions. Full details of the format and display of Posters will be detailed within acceptance notifications sent to nominated presenting authors.

We welcome short presentations discussing new ideas for innovative and inclusive mental health research that is still in development. For example, presentations might include discussions of study protocols that are still under development or research ideas that are yet to be funded. Presenters can use this format to ask the audience for feedback to develop the idea further. Presenters will be notified of the length of presentation time in the acceptance letters, likely 10–15 minutes including Q&A and feedback from a senior researcher.

Themes

The SMHR 2025 Conference’s overarching themes are Personalisation, Diversity and Equity. The Conference also offers the following subthemes:

Discipline

Basic Science
Clinical
Cognition
Epidemiology
Health Economics
Implementation science
Public Health
Artificial intelligence / machine learning
Personalised health/medicine
Digital and wearables
Trial / intervention
Genetic/Epigenetics
Neuroimaging
Other

Psychopathology

Anxiety
Eating Disorders
Mood Disorders
Personality Disorders
Psychosis
Sleep
Substance use
Suicidal behaviour & self-harm
Trauma & stress
Other

Interventions

Alternative/complementary
Biological
Physical health
Prevention
Psychopharmacology
Psychosocial
Other

Diversity & Equity

Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander
Culturally and linguistically diverse
Disability
Family
Homeless
LGBTQIA+
Population-level
Refugee
Lived experience
Accessibility and usability
Codesign and consumer-centred research
Other

Lifespan

Adult
Child
Infant
Older adult
Perinatal
Youth
Across the lifespan
Other

Abstract Awards

The following awards will be available to presenters at the Conference:

SMHR Best Student/EMCR* Rapid Fire Presentation Award
SMHR Best Consumer or Community-Led Research Presentation Award
SMHR Best Student/EMCR* Oral Presentation Award
SMHR Best Student/EMCR* Poster Presentation Award

*Within 5 years post PhD (adjusted for career disruptions)

If you wish to be considered in any of the above award categories, you will be asked to do so during the submission process. The judge’s decision is final and winners will be announced at the end of the Conference program.

smhR Awards

The SMHR Awards have been extended to closed on the 19 September. If you wish to apply for any awards, please visit the SMHR Website

Notification to Authors

Please note the details provided as the author contact should be for the nominated main contact for your abstract. All correspondence relating to the submission will be directed to this person, and they should in turn distribute to all co-presenters.

Abstract Speaker Registration

All presenters are required register and pay for the Conference by Tuesday 7 October 2025 in order for the presentation to be included in the Conference Program.

The invitation to submit an abstract does not constitute an offer to pay travel, accommodation or registration costs associated with the Conference. Similarly, no presenter fee is paid to successful participants.

Further Enquiries

For any enquiries regarding abstract submission please contact the Conference Office:

Society for Mental Health Research (SMHR) 2025 Conference Office: