Mental health simulation conference 2026
Course information
Date
17 September
Location
Mulitple
Length and time
9:00 - 17:00
Cost
£75.00 - £300.00
Course information
Date
17 September
Location
Mulitple
Length and time
9:00 - 17:00
Cost
£75.00 - £300.00
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Theme: Sustaining ourselves in uncertain times
Programme
Day 1 – Online Day
Thursday 17 September 2026
| START | END | SUBJECT | DELIVERED BY |
|---|---|---|---|
| 09:15 | 09:30 | Tech introduction and orientation; housekeeping | ML TEL team |
| 09:30 | 09:45 | Welcome to the third annual ML conference | James / Kirsten / Sean |
| 09:45 | 10:45 | Keynote: Transformative Simulation in Mental Health: From Fragmentation to Coherent Systems Change | Prof. Sharon Weldon |
| 10:45 | 11:00 | Break | |
| Systems Sustaining ourselves through community, collaboration and best practices (Quality Assurance) | |||
| 11:00 | 11:50 | Online workshop: Developing and Maintaining Psychological Safety in Mental Health Simulation | Julie Rastall / Gemmel Ayer |
| 11:50 | 12:10 | Online presentation: Improving the quality of pre-simulation briefings for actors and facilitators at NELFT | Dr James Day / Dr Anusha Leonard |
| 12:10 | 12:30 | Online presentation: Suicide Prevention via Simulation – a preliminary enquiry | Beccy Griffiths |
| 12:30 | 13:30 | Lunch | |
| AI/Frontiers Sustaining ourselves through innovation and technological insights | |||
| 13:30 | 14:10 | ML Frontier Discussions – Technology Enhanced Learning reflections – VR Showcase and Q+A | Faculty / TEL |
| 14:10 | 14:30 | Online presentation: Keeping it Real? How does the introduction of a dedicated mental health (MH) simulation space impact on the learning experiences of 2nd year undergraduate mental health nursing students when compared to traditional methods? | Dr Adam Keen / Faye Cody / Jess Johnston / Phil Coombs |
| 14:30 | 14:50 | Online presentation: Bridging the Gap: Simulation-Based Psychiatry Teaching for Medical Students | Sharon Rajesh |
| 14:50 | 15:05 | Break | |
| Inclusion Sustaining ourselves through inclusivity, working within diversity from a trauma informed and anti-oppressive position | |||
| 15:05 | 15:25 | Online presentation: Children talk…but do we listen? | Mary Taylor-Coldwell |
| 15:25 | 15:45 | Online presentation: Using Simulation to Teach Risk Assessment, Management and Safety Planning in Child and Adolescent Mental Health | Megan McKee (Australia) |
| 15:45 | 16:00 | Break | |
| 16:00 | 16:50 | Live online debate: “This House believes that simulation is a sustainable means of transforming mental healthcare delivery, not simply training individuals.” | Dr Asanga Fernando, Prof Katie Pavoni, Dr Chris Kowlaski, Prof Sharon Weldon Madam Speaker: Dr Kirsten Howson |
| 16:50 | 17:00 | Closing remarks day 1 | Kirsten / James |
Day 2 – Face to Face Day
Friday 18 September 2026
| START | END | SUBJECT | DELIVERED BY |
|---|---|---|---|
| 09:00 | 09:30 | Registration (and tea/coffee on arrival) | |
| 09:30 | 09:45 | Welcome to day 2 | Kirsten / James / Sean |
| 09:45 | 10:45 | Keynote: Simulation Forward: Why we need to be bolder in uncertain times | Dr Asanga Fernando |
| 10:45 | 11:00 | Break / Networking | |
| Systems Sustaining ourselves through community, collaboration and best practices (Quality Assurance) | |||
| 11:00 | 11:20 | Presentation: A Pilot Interagency Mental Health Simulation Training Day | Dr Nikki Biggs |
| 11:20 | 11:40 | Presentation: Simulation to Support Nursing Students Formulation Skills: An Educational Evaluation and Programme Improvement Initiative | Ciara Hood |
| 11:40 | 12:00 | Presentation: Mental Health Awareness Programme | James Burt |
| 12:00 | 12:10 | Comfort Break | |
| AI/Frontiers Sustaining ourselves through innovation and technological insights | |||
| 12:10 | 12:30 | Presentation: Developing Sustainable and Scalable Digital Simulation Learning Opportunities for a Changing Psychology Training Landscape in Australia Psychology Australia | Elizabeth Pizarro-Campagna |
| 12:30 | 12:50 | Presentation: Blue lights for clearer minds – Gamified Simulation for Mental Health Awareness in the Ambulance Service | Rebecca Hughes |
| 12:50 | 13:50 | Lunch / Networking | |
| Inclusion Sustaining ourselves through inclusivity, working within diversity from a trauma informed and anti-oppressive position | |||
| 13:50 | 14:30 | ‘Within’ ML – Reflections on Trauma Informed and Anti Oppressive Practice in Mental Health Simulation Based Education + Q+A | Faculty |
| 14:30 | 14:50 | Presentation: Neonatal Intensive Care Mental Health Teaching Project | Dr Megan Fisher |
| 14:50 | 15:10 | Presentation: Acute paediatric mental health simulation afternoon | Dr Megan Fisher |
| 15:10 | 15:40 | Break / Networking + Feedback / Feedforward | |
| 15:40 | 16:40 | SimCast recording LIVE! | SimCast & selected faculty / ML |
| 16:45 | 17:00 | Closing remarks, thank you + Goodbye | Kirsten / James |
Programme details may be subject to change.
Abstract submission
We invite abstracts showcasing work that focuses on or includes aspects of mental health Simulation-Based Education. Submissions may engage with the conference theme, Sustaining Ourselves in Uncertain Times, or explore other areas of mental health simulation.
Abstracts may be submitted with a preferred delivery format:
Online, Day 1, Thursday 17 September 2026
In person, Day 2, Friday 18 September 2026
Timings:
Workshop: 45 minutes, online or in person
Presentation: 20 minutes, online or in person
Abstract submissions are now closed.
Thank you to everyone who submitted an abstract. Authors will be notified of the outcome on Wednesday 22 July 2026.
Why attend?
Sustainable learner discount
If you have attended an eligible Maudsley Learning course within the last 6 months, you may be entitled to a 50% discount. Please contact the Maudsley Learning team at maudslearning@slam.nhs.uk to confirm your eligibility before booking.
Keynote speakers
Debaters
Schedule
17/09/2026
Target audience
Mental Health Nurses, Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Psychotherapists, GPs, Allied Health, Support Staff, Doctors.
Date & Time
Location
Delivery Format
17/09/2026 09:00–17:00
Zoom
Live online
Date & Time
Location
Delivery Format
18/09/2026 09:00–17:00
ORTUS Conference and Events Venue, 82-96 Grove Lane, London, SE5 8SN
In-Person
Select the type of ticket you would like to purchase
Day 2 In Person Only Ticket
£250.00
22 places available
Two Day Ticket (Online Day 1 and In Person Day 2)
£300.00
22 places available
Day 1 Online Only Ticket
£75.00
22 places available
Sustainable Learner ticket (Two Day Ticket (Online Day 1 and In Person Day 2))
£150.00
22 places available
