Program
Click here to view the conference program overview and explore what’s ahead.
What to expect
The program for BIBF 2026 will feature keynotes, parallel sessions, and poster sessions, with interactive sessions to generate contributions from youth mental health innovators. All activities will be in-person; an online repository of resources and learning materials will be made available after the conference ends.
Who will attend?
We anticipate the event will appeal to a target audience of researchers, advocates and actors in health, social services, child protection, education, human rights as well as representatives from governmental agencies, private sector, policy making and humanitarian organizations.
BIBF2026 aims to enhance equity and diversity through adopting an inclusive attitude which welcomes all, irrespective of race, gender, ability, sexual orientation, ethnicity, or other characteristics, and which provides a platform for open dialogue and candid learning.
Pre-Conference Day (18 May)
Delegates are welcome to sign up for any of the below pre-conference sessions on 18 May, at no additional charge. Please contact us for more information: boldideas@sun.ac.za
Care for Carers - A Global Priority (9:00am-12:00pm)
Co-led by: Grassroot Soccer (South Africa), SAPPIN (South Africa) & The Two Lillies Fund (global)
Trained mental health professionals, community based mental health frontline workers and lay providers / community development workers mental health play a critical role in the sustainability and success of mental health programmes. As the global mental health shifts toward task-shifting and task-sharing, the global mental health workforce has expanded to include youth and adult lay-providers, trained mental health professionals, parenting programme implementers and many others. Frontline worker self-care and well-being support needs have emerged as a priority in global mental health. Grassroot Soccer, SAPPIN, the South African Parenting Programme Implementers Network and The Two Lillies Fund present an interactive and innovative pre-conference session on ‘caring for the carers.’ This pre-conference session aims to leverage arts based, sports-based, play & somatic methods, qualitative and quantitative insights panel discussions and Open Space Technology to explore frontline provider’s mental health needs as well as explore innovative support models such as reflective supervision within community-based programme delivery.
Sign up here.
Show me the money: how to build a fundable grant application (10:00-11:30am)
Led by: Wellcome Trust (UK)
This 90‑minute workshop is designed for early career researchers preparing to apply for funding and looking for clear, practical guidance to strengthen their proposals. The session will introduce the core elements of a grant application, including how to craft a concise and clear proposal, what funders look for, and how to meaningfully integrate lived experience into research design and delivery. Participants will also learn the essentials of building a realistic and defensible budget.
To bring the process to life, the session includes a short panel discussion with researchers previously/currently funded by Wellcome, offering first‑hand insights and answering audience questions. We’ll close with an interactive session exploring what kinds of support early career applicants most need from funders going forward, creating space for honest reflection and constructive ideas. Whether you’re preparing your first application or refining your approach, this workshop offers practical tools and insights to help you navigate the funding landscape with confidence.
ADHD in young adults: navigating transitions (10:15-11:15am)
Sponsored by: Takeda Pharmaceutical Pty.
You are invited to join a pre-congress educational neuroscience session on Monday, 18 May 2026 (10:15–11:15) – “ADHD in young adults: navigating transitions”, presented by Professor Renata Schoeman, a South African psychiatrist in private practice and international recognised ADHD expert. Young adulthood is a high-impact transition—where academic pressure, early-career demands, changing support systems, and increasing independence can bring ADHD-related impairment into sharper focus. This session will examine how ADHD may present in adolescence and beyond, why it is frequently under-recognised at this life stage, and what evidence-informed approaches can support better functional outcomes in real-world settings.
The programme includes a brief welcome, Professor Schoeman’s presentation, and an interactive Q&A—creating space for practical discussion grounded in day-to-day clinical and community experience. Sponsorship for this session is provided by Takeda. (C-APROM/ZA/Vyv/0087 – March 2026).
The link for signups will soon be available; you can indicate interest for now by emailing boldideas@sun.ac.za.
Sports for good: Youth-led physical activity interventions for mental health among adolescents from underserved communities (12:30pm-3:30pm)
Co-led by: Johns Hopkins University (US), Positive Running (India)
This pre-conference workshop explores youth-led physical activity as a tool for mental health promotion among disadvantaged adolescents. Bringing together researchers, practitioners, and youth with lived experience, the session focuses on scalable, sports-based interventions (like running or football) that enhance resilience and social connection. The goal of these programs is to empower youth leaders to drive community-based health outcomes through strengths-based, peer-led initiatives. Participants will examine evidence-based models, discuss inclusive program design, and identify strategies for integrating physical activity into formal mental health and chronic disease services. There will be interactive audience-oriented physical activity learning sessions. This workshop aims to disseminate research, facilitate cross-pollination among youth advocates, and highlight the transformative impact of sports on adolescent mental health.
Sign up here.
Would you like to be a donor or sponsor?
The conference offers a unique opportunity for donors and exhibitors to connect with a global audience and demonstrate commitment to improving mental health for children and adolescents worldwide. We are pleased to offer a number of different opportunities for partners and sponsors to support BIBF 2026. Contact us at boldideas@sun.ac.za for sponsorship prospectus or to create a tailored sponsorship package.
Special session: Extending our understanding of adolescent mental health at population level
One of the greatest barriers to effective programming is the limited data on the global burden of mental health challenges among adolescents and young people, especially targeted populations of adolescents. Prevalence data, together with data documenting and evaluating the range of risk and protective factors, are critical for advancing priorities to support better mental health at this pivotal life stage. These data can inform the design and implementation of programs and policies, as well as help experts make decisions about resource allocation. In an increasingly uncertain global moment—and as funding to solve complex problems is diminishing—such data on the mental health of adolescents is vital.
We will share research from several specially-funded applications in a special session that aims to capture case examples of using population-level data to extend our understanding of adolescent and youth mental health. Specifically, the session will focus on uses of the Measurement of Mental Health Among Adolescents and Young People at Population Level (MMAPP) tool, which is part of a UNICEF-led effort to close the data gap in this critical age group. MMAPP uses culturally adaptable and clinically validated data collection tools and resources. The MMAPP tool, developed with support from global experts, has been built on a strong evidence base. Its development followed a rigorous, iterative process involving expert consultations, cognitive interviews, and field validation across diverse settings including validated in Belize, Kenya, Nepal, Peru, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. Indicators include symptoms of depression and anxiety; functional limitations due to mental health symptoms; suicidal thoughts and behaviors; and mental health care and connectedness.
A selection of studies will report on prevalence data, including in marginalised populations. Additionally, we aim to discuss key gaps, opportunities, and priorities for future measurement of adolescent mental health.
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