Abstract Submissions - TheMHS Learning Network Inc.

We invite all people involved in the mental health field to submit an abstract for consideration towards the 2021 Melbourne TheMHS Conference program.

Please carefully read the following instructions to avoid submitting incomplete papers.

Submission Process

Your abstract must be submitted online. After filling in your personal details, the abstract submission process involves entering the following:

Abstract Title
Presentation Type
Topic
Authors
Presenting Author(s) Biography
Abstract
Learning Objective
References

Likewise, abstracts are accepted on the following conditions:

Papers must be presented by the authors. Proxies will not be permitted except in an emergency such as illness or misadventure.
The committee reserves the right to accept or refuse any submission.
The committee reserves the right to allocate a session time or presentation type, which differs from that applied for.
Wherever possible, ensure that a range of stakeholders including consumers, are included as presenters in symposia, workshops, debates, roundtables.
Do not include tables, diagrams or graphs in the abstract.

PLEASE NOTE that only the first author will be advised in writing with regard to the acceptance or otherwise of the abstract submission. The first author (as given in application) will be the main contact for correspondence about the presentation, therefore please include an additional email if you would like another contact copied in.

ALL PRESENTERS MUST REGISTER & PAY FOR AT LEAST THE DAY OF THE CONFERENCE ON WHICH THEY ARE PRESENTING.

Guidelines

Submissions that do not adhere to the guidelines will be returned to the author for editing.

Length of Abstract

Abstracts for all papers, snapshots and ePosters should be a maximum of 200 words (excluding learning objective and references).
Abstracts for symposia, workshops or other innovative presentation types should not exceed a total of 800 words (excluding learning objective and references).

Content of Abstract

The abstract:

The abstract should be as informative as possible and truly represent the intended presentation.
Your abstract will be used both for selection purposes and if selected will be used in the online program.
It should include a statement of the aims of the presentation; sufficient information to allow a delegate to learn what may be gained by attending the presentation; a strong concluding sentence in summary of the abstract.
Consideration of the overall conference theme of ‘HOPE into ACTION’ should be given, and your abstract should clearly explain how your presentation relates to this overarching conference theme.
TheMHS values and welcomes sharing of lived experience via presentations, however it is important to include how this relates to an understanding of mental ill-health and/or to mental health service policy, delivery and/or development.

Topics

When submitting an abstract, you must choose TWO topic preferences that most closely relate to your abstract. This will help us to program your abstract together with other related papers, in the most appropriate session.

TOPICS

Evidence into Practice (research, evaluation, quality, services, programs)
Clinical Focus (assessment, treatment, interventions, techniques)
Recovery and Wellbeing
Bringing the Clinical and Community together
Suicide prevention
Prevention and Promotion
Youth
Aging and Mental Health
LGBTIQ +
Indigenous Peoples
Cultural and Linguistic Diversity
Rural / Remote
Workforce Development (leadership, workforce wellbeing, training, mentoring, education, supervision)
Service Systems (policy, reform, strategies, management, co-design)
Social Justice (equity, access, participation, rights, reducing stigma)
Leading Edge Challenges (From the micro to the macro level)

Learning Objectives

Please state one Learning Objective in answer to this question:

What will delegates learn from attending this presentation to enhance their knowledge of mental health matters or skills in mental health service delivery?

References

This section is preferred, however it is not compulsory.
Please enter 2 references to support your abstract.
Please note that these are academic references, not character or personal references.
References may be formatted in your preferred academic style. If in doubt, TheMHS Learning Network recommends using the APA referencing style:

e.g. For a journal:
Surname, J.S., & Surname, A.D. (2011). Article title. Journal Title, 10(4), 299-300.

e.g. For a book:
O’Donoghue, T., & Clarke, S. (2010). Leading learning: Process, themes and issues in international contexts. London: Routledge.

Types of Presentations

Please note that time limits for speakers will be strictly enforced so that there is adequate time for discussion of papers and for other speakers in the session to have their full allocated time.

We are planning to be back to meeting face-to-face in October 2021. However, the uncertainty that COVID-19 has created means we need to be somewhat flexible.

Please take this into account when submitting your abstracts and that if accepted, you may be accepted for a different length of time than you have requested, or may be asked to present virtually.

Oral Presentations

An oral presentation can include innovations, research, services, creative therapies and arts, or personal stories.
Each presentation is either 10 minutes plus 5 minutes discussion; 15 minutes plus 5 minutes discussion or 20 minutes plus 10 minutes discussion.
The suggested number of presenters per paper: 2

Workshop

Design your workshop to be participatory.
The focus will be on a particular issue or topic relevant to mental health services and audience participation is maximised. For example the opportunity for discussion and debate on a given topic, or practical learning of skills.
At least 50% of the total allotted time must be devoted to questions and answers, or to group interaction – remember this is NOT a lecture.
Within your abstract, submit a brief plan of how the time will be allocated/managed.
The suggested number of presenters: 3 – 5
Workshops can be submitted for either 60 or 90 minutes.

Symposium

The symposium is designed to take a more formal approach to the selected topic.
At least 20% of the total allotted time must be devoted to audience interaction.
Within your abstract, submit a brief plan, containing a description of the unifying theme(s) as a whole, followed by an abstract of each individual paper within the symposium.
The suggested number of presenters: 3 – 5 presenters, including a chairperson.
Symposia can be submitted for either 60 or 90 minutes.

E-Poster

e-Posters provide an opportunity to display new research or evaluation results, clinical or service advances, new program features, or work-in-progress. TheMHS will facilitate connection between delegates and authors of e-Posters by:

Providing all delegates with copies of ‘e-Poster Abstracts’
Providing all delegates with contact details for all e-Posters (with permission of author/s)

Format: Typically, an e-Poster would be a maximum of 1 (one) PDF or JPG slide that would be available for viewing at the conference on large digital touch screens, and on the conference mobile app. However, more information on ePoster displays and detailed instructions on the production of e-Posters will be provided upon acceptance of your abstract. There is no speaking component to ePoster presentations, however any listed presenting authors will need to register for at least one day of the conference.