Psychiatric News Daily - May 18, 2026
Welcome to Day 3 of APA’s 2026 Annual Meeting!
At the top of today’s agenda: two powerhouse plenaries. Keep following 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 from 1-3:00 p.m. this afternoon.
APA TV: One on One With Dr. Marketa Wills
APA's CEO and medical director on how she’s feeling about both the organization and the profession: "Our future is bright."
PN + APA TV: Transgender Mental Health Care
A panel of openly transgender psychiatrists and LGBTQ+ mental health experts discuss the importance of sharing the realities of their lived experience with colleagues.
Plenary: Sylvia Acevedo
The former Girl Scouts CEO has a direct message for Annual Meeting attendees during this morning’s "Enlightened Voices: Shared Futures Plenary": "Your life will not be defined by your circumstances. It will be defined by your decisions."
Convocation: Dr. Vivek Murthy
The former U.S. surgeon general will participate in a fireside chat about the "deeper spiritual crisis" facing people across the country and around the world as part of the Menninger Lecture this afternoon.
Attendee Info Highlights
- MindGames Masters Live
- APA Foundation Gala
- Professional headshots in Exhibit Hall (final day)
Featured Sessions
- 8:30–10 a.m.:
- 10:30 a.m.–Noon:
- 1:30–3:00 p.m.
- Capacity Building for Mental Health Care, Research, and Education: From America to the World and Back
- From Interoceptive Circuits to Computational Therapeutics: Mapping Modeling and Modulating Transdiagnostic Mechanisms in Psychiatry
- Neuropsychiatry Education: Why We Need It and How to Do It
- Microbiome Gut Brain Axis: Innovative Interventions for Patient Care
- 3:15–3:45 p.m.:
- 3:45–5:15 p.m.:
- 4:30–5:30 p.m.:
- 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
- 9:15 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Exhibit hall open: Exhibits, APA JobCentral, APA Bookstore, publishers and career expo, product showcases, relaxation station, Coffee & Conversations
- 10:30 a.m. – Noon | Enlightened Voices: Shared Futures Plenary Featuring Sylvia Acevedo
- 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. | MindGames Masters Finals
- 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. | Convocation of Distinguished Fellows and William C. Menninger Lecture Featuring Dr. Vivek Murthy
- 7:30 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. | APA Foundation Gala
QOTD: What’s the Deal With Your Poster?
Question of the day: What would you like your colleagues to know about your research?
10 Years of the ABCD Study
NIDA Director Nora Volkow, M.D., was recognized with the 2026 Judd Marmor Award yesterday for her work on the groundbreaking Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development study.
Chester Pierce Lecture: Dr. Mansoor Malik
The Johns Hopkins psychiatrist will discuss how Dr. Pierce’s vision provides a template for understanding contemporary attacks on human rights.
Resident and Medical Student Poster Winners
APA recognizes tomorrow’s psychiatry leaders with the annual Resident/Medical Student Poster Competition. This year’s winners were announced yesterday.
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.
SNAPPED!
Were you captured in a photo taken at the Annual Meeting yesterday? PN Daily is posting photos of attendees each day of the meeting. Check to see if you’ve been snapped!