PATHWAYS TO CHANGE: EMPOWERING COMMUNITIES, CLIENTS & CLINICIANS
The pathways to wellness are often long and include many of the challenges our communities currently face- a polarized political climate, social unrest, and human rights issues. Uncertainty about future policies, economic conditions, and social dynamics can create a sense of powerlessness which magnifies feelings of vulnerability, hopelessness, and fear. For marginalized communities, these factors can contribute to exacerbated negative outcomes, including mental health challenges.
Despite these numerous struggles, members of our communities are not left to navigate these difficult times alone. Mental Health Association Oklahoma is proud to present the 31st Annual Zarrow Mental Health Symposium –PATHWAYS TO CHANGE: Empowering Communities, Clients, & Clinicians, October 8-10th, 2025.
Join us for a special in-person community discussion prior to the virtual symposium this September, date and location to be announced.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
The Zarrow Mental Health Symposium historically draws nearly 800 participants from across the country to join in thoughtful, meaningful conversation and learning. Our conference is formatted to provide up to 15.5 hours of professional continuing education during the live on-line event, with limited access to archived content to earn additional CEUs after the symposium concludes.
Attendees represent a broad cross-section of the community ranging from nonprofits, healthcare, education, research, government, law enforcement, faith communities and tribal nations, to mental health professionals including social workers, psychologists, licensed professional counselors, licensed marital and family therapists, licensed alcohol and drug counselors, case managers and peer recovery support specialists, as well as individuals with lived experience, their family members, students and mental health advocates.
Prior speakers include:
Matthew A. Miller, PhD, MPH
Nancy Bernardy, PhD
Omar Manejwala, MD
Rachel Wurzman, PhD
Robert M. Sapolsky, PhD
Stuart Ablon, PhD
Susan Magsamen
William Zangwill, PhD
Xavier Amador, PhD
Adam Gazzaley, MD, PhD
Alex Crosby, MD, MPH
BJ Miller, MD
Carl Hart, PhD
Chan M. Hellman, PhD
Cornel West, PhD
Darryl Tonemah, PhD
Elena Joy Thurston
Esmé Weijun Wang
Joy DeGruy, MSW, PhD
CONFERENCE FORMAT AND PLATFORM
This year's three-day symposium will remain a 100% virtual event and professional development opportunity, hosted on the award-winning Whova platform. For a limited time, attendees will have access to three full days of live and archived content from their computer or mobile device using the Whova app. This allows attendees to review the presentations and, if desired, earn additional CEUs. Participants will be able to engage with sponsors and fellow attendees, build a personal conference agenda, access session handouts, and more!
The 2025 Zarrow Mental Health Symposium will include a pre-conference panel conversation live in Tulsa in late September. To set the tone for our annual symposium, Mental Health Association Oklahoma’s CEO Carrie Blumert will interview a team of national and local experts about how we can all provide support to some of the most vulnerable members of our community. This event will be free with limited availability. Details and registration coming soon!
We are currently finalizing details for this year’s symposium, and look forward to announcing ticketing information, breakouts, exhibitors, keynote speakers, and event schedules soon! Keep an eye on this website and our social media pages for those updates.