Washington, D.C. — On Saturday, April 11, the American Psychiatric Association (APA), in partnership with the National Latino Behavioral Health Association (NLBHA), will host the 2026 APA MOORE Equity in Mental Health Youth Summit and Community Mental Health Fair at the National Hispanic Cultural Center, 1701 4th St. SW, Albuquerque, N.M. 87102. The Community Mental Health Fair will take place from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. This free, public event is family-focused and rooted in New Mexico’s diverse Latino, Indigenous, immigrant, and rural communities. (The Youth Summit is invitation only.)

“Through these activities, APA and NLBHA aim to create an empowering space that builds on the strengths of the Albuquerque community—supporting youth mental health today while strengthening pathways to care for the future,” said Dr. Theresa Miskimen Rivera. “These events reflect our commitment to meeting youth and families where they are, honoring community strengths, and expanding access to culturally responsive mental health support—both now and for generations to come,” added Dr. Yolanda Rodriguez of NLBHA.

The APA-NLBHA Youth Mental Health Summit, held in the morning, will create a safe and welcoming space for invited high school-aged youth to engage in open conversations about mental health and well-being. Programming will include large-group discussions, interactive breakout sessions, wellness activities, and peer-led conversations centered on youth mental health, stress, identity, and help-seeking. Participation is by invitation only, with schools and youth-serving organizations bringing students to the summit.

All sessions and activities at the Youth Summit will be free and will include discussions on mental health awareness and stigma reduction; youth experiences with stress, anxiety, and social pressure; culturally grounded approaches to wellness that honor mind, body, and culture; and peer-led conversations that elevate youth voices. Wellness breaks and movement-based activities such as mindfulness, meditation, yoga, or dance may also be incorporated to support holistic well-being.

In the afternoon, the APA Community Mental Health Fair will be open to the broader community, bringing together local organizations, mental health clinicians, and advocates to share information about available mental health and substance use resources. Community members of all ages are invited to learn about services in their area, connect directly with providers, and access up-to-date, culturally responsive information.

Community Mental Health Fair registration (afternoon event only):

• Organizations interested in participating as vendors in the Community Mental Health Fair can register here.
• Community members may register to attend the Community Mental Health Fair here.

The APA MOORE Equity in Mental Health Initiative is hosted annually in honor of Bebe Moore Campbell National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month and celebrates community-driven efforts to advance mental health equity. “Through this initiative, APA aims to support youth mental health by working collaboratively with community partners to address local needs and strengthen access to care,” said Dr. Marketa Wills, CEO & Medical Director of APA.

American Psychiatric Association

The American Psychiatric Association, founded in 1844, is the oldest medical association in the country. The APA is also the largest psychiatric association in the world with more than 39,200 physician members specializing in the diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and research of mental illnesses. APA’s vision is to ensure access to quality psychiatric diagnosis and treatment. For more information, please visit www.psychiatry.org.
 

National Latino Behavioral Health Association (NLBHA)

The National Latino Behavioral Health Association (NLBHA) was founded to serve as a unified national voice for Latino communities in the behavioral health field. NLBHA works to address the significant disparities that persist in access to services, utilization, practice-based research, and the availability of culturally and linguistically competent professionals. In 2025, NLBHA proudly celebrates its 25th anniversary, recognizing a quarter century of advocacy, partnerships, and community-driven initiatives. For more information, visit www.nlbha.org.