For Immediate Release
Contact:Tess Koppelman, Tess K Communications
tess@tesskcomms.com Cell (816) 225-2765
Mental Health KC Conference 2026: Hope, Healing, and the Human Experience
Overland Park, KS – As stress continues to ripple through every level of society, many people feel stretched. Whether it’s national polarization, challenges in their communities, or the pressures they carry in their own homes, people need to know that hope is not out of reach.
The 2026 Mental Health KC Conference brings our community together to reflect and connect with each other and with the sources of hope that sustain our mental well-being. Nationally recognized keynote speakers, who approach mental health from both scientific and lived perspectives, will offer attendees insight rooted in hope, healing, and the human experience.
When:
Thursday, May 28, 2026 | 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Friday, May 29, 2026 | 9:00 a.m. – Noon
Where:
Johnson County Community College
12345 College Blvd
Overland Park, KS 66210
Now in its 11th year, the Metropolitan Council of Community Mental Health Centers (“Metro Council”) organizes this annual event each May in recognition of National Mental Health Awareness Month, made possible through generous sponsorships including our lead sponsors Netsmart and the Jackson County Levy Board.
KEYNOTE DETAILS
Thursday, May 28 Morning Keynote:
Dr. Jamil Zaki – Stanford psychologist and director of the Stanford Social Neuroscience Lab, Dr. Zaki is the author of Hope for Cynics: The Surprising Science of Human Goodness. His keynote will explore the research behind empathy, connection, and optimism, challenging the assumption that cynicism is realism and offering science-backed insights into why hope remains a powerful force for individual and collective well-being.
Friday, May 29 Morning Keynote:
Krizz Kaliko – Kansas City-based rapper and artist, Krizz Kaliko will share his personal mental health journey, offering a candid and powerful perspective on navigating mental health challenges while living life in the public eye. His keynote will focus on vulnerability, resilience, and the importance of honest conversations around mental health across communities and cultures.
The conference is designed for community health, mental health, and social service professionals, as well as business leaders, human resource professionals, educators, and members of the general public.
Participants can expect:
More than 70 breakout sessions from local and regional experts covering topics such as trauma-informed care, suicide prevention, substance use, lived experience and peer support, neurodiversity, anxiety and depression, workplace mental health, youth mental health, and leadership
Networking opportunities with more than 900 professionals and advocates committed to advancing mental well-being
Access to resources from community organizations and service providers
To support accessibility, early registration (before May 10) is only $60. Late and on-site registration will be available for $80. Professional CEUs are available for an additional $30. Certificates of Attendance are available at no cost.
For more information and to register, please visit MentalHealthKC.org.
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About Metro Council
The Mental Health KC Conference is organized and presented by the Metropolitan Council of Community Behavioral Health Centers (“Metro Council”), which represents nine public mental health organizations in the Greater Kansas City area. Metro Council is a collaborative nonprofit organization serving the Greater Metropolitan Kansas City area. It provides ongoing educational programs, information, and resources to both mental health professionals and the general public. It is the mission of Metro Council to build a stronger safety net of local community behavioral health centers to provide Kansas Citians with behavioral health services, regardless of who they are, where they live, or their ability to pay. Find out more at MentalHealthKC.org and follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.