Psychiatric News Daily - May 16, 2026
APA 2026 Starts Right Now
From now through May 20, Psychiatric News will deliver a daily morning digest offering previews and past-day highlights. Also follow PN on our X (Twitter), LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok accounts for live updates throughout the day—and look for us at APA Central in the Exhibit Hall.
Whether you’re here in San Francisco or attending virtually, enjoy APA’s 2026 Annual Meeting!
Welcome From Dr. Adrian Preda
Psychiatric News’ editor in chief previews what you can expect from our live coverage in PN Daily, on APA TV, and across social media.
CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta on Storytelling and Mental Health
The neurosurgeon, bestselling author, and Emmy Award–winning chief medical correspondent for CNN will deliver a plenary address on medicine and the media during this morning’s Opening Session.
Attendee Info Highlights
- Registration Open
- APA Meetings App:
Take part in the Passport to Prizes Challenge in the mobile app! Visit with leading companies. Learn about the latest innovations. Earn prizes for exploring the Exhibit Hall. - Session Overflow (Headphones Required):
Popular sessions can fill to capacity. Selected sessions will broadcast audio and slides to an overflow theater in Rooms 208/216 on the second floor of the Moscone Center. Find out which sessions are currently available in the overflow rooms in the APA Meetings App. - Shuttle Schedule:
A 2026 meeting badge is required to ride to on the courtesy shuttle bus. The Moscone Center will serve as the hub for all shuttle bus routes. For more information on the operating hours, hotels, and routes, please check out the Shuttle Service page. - APA Foundation Benefit:
Tickets are still available for the 2026 APA Foundation Gala at San Francisco City Hall on Monday night, May 18.
Featured Sessions
- 8:30–10 a.m.:
- Injecting Hope: GLP-1 Receptor Agonists as Treatment for Substance Use Disorders
- The Empowered Psychiatric Workforce: Tackling Alcohol Care in Our Patients
- Clinical Relevance of Big Data Studies: What Can Clinicians Learn from Them?
- Advancing How Psychiatry Thinks About Its Work: Diagnosis Research and Values
- 10:30 a.m.–noon:
- 1:30–3 p.m.
- 3:15–3:45 p.m.:
- 3:45–5:15 p.m.:
- Involuntary Commitment in Psychiatry: What We Know, What We Don’t and What's at Stake
- The Startup Psychiatrist: Building Mental Health Ventures That Heal
- Beyond the Status Quo: A Population Health Approach to Psychiatric Care Delivery
- Enhancing Care for Serious Mental Illness in Incarcerated Populations
- Expanding Access and Engagement to Addiction Services via Early Intervention and Peer-Driven Recovery: Perspectives from Japan and USA
- 5:30–6:30 p.m.:
Schedule-at-A-Glance
- 7:30 a.m.– 5:00 p.m. | Registration open
- 7:30 a.m.– 5:30 p.m. | Child care open (pre-registration required)
- 8:00 a.m.– 5:30 p.m. | Paid courses, master courses, scientific sessions
- 8:00 a.m.– 5:15 p.m. | Poster session
- 10:30 a.m.– Noon | Opening Session featuring Dr. Sanjay Gupta
- Noon– 4:00 p.m. | Exhibit hall open: Exhibits, APA JobCentral, APA Bookstore, publishers and career expo, product showcases, relaxation station, Coffee & Conversations
What’s New at This Year’s Annual Meeting?
APA 2026 introduces exciting innovative features designed to broaden the meeting’s appeal and reach out to special groups of attendees.
Four Sessions Will Focus on the DSM in Progress
The sessions will spotlight the ongoing work of APA’s Future of DSM Strategic Committee.
Clinical Updates Track: Deprescribing, PTSD, and More
Whether it’s decoding irritability in youth or unmasking trauma appearing as depression or anxiety, this year’s Clinical Updates track will offer many sessions related to diagnostic uncertainty.
Technology Track: AI, Apps, EHRs, and More
The Annual Meeting will provide dozens of opportunities for attendees to learn about state-of-the-art technology and AI applications at the forefront of psychiatric care.
Vision and Expression: The Humanities Come to APA
The Humanities track will explore the arts as an opportunity to see into the psyche and heal.
IMGs: Showcasing Leadership, Scholarship, and Service in Psychiatry
A six-part lecture series will highlight scholarship, lived experience, mentorship, and forward-thinking dialogue within APA’s community of international medical graduates.
Exhibits & APA Central Activities
- Mid-Day Mingles
11:45 AM – 1:30 PM | Enjoy an extended stay to meet exhibitors and learn more about their products and services. - Coffee & Conversations at the Stage
Join thought leaders as they present 30-minute talks on engaging, timely topics over a cup of coffee. Today’s talks are at 12:15 p.m. and 1 p.m. - Huddles
Huddles are 20-minute presentations hosted by sponsors on various topics. - Product Theater Showcases
Product Theater showcases are 60-minute promotional presentations.