Call for Submissions: Session Proposals Now Open

The American Association of Suicidology (AAS) invites you to submit session proposals for our 60th annual conference, A Legacy of Hope: 60 Years Advancing Suicide Prevention (AAS27), taking place April 11–15, 2027, at the Hyatt Regency Dallas (Dallas, TX). 

Since 1968, AAS has been the professional home for individuals devoted to suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention. Our community brings together clinicians, researchers, and academics; mental health agency leaders and crisis response professionals; military-connected individuals, educators, youth advocates, and peer support specialists; Tribal and Indigenous leaders; systems and policy advocates; and at the heart of it all, individuals with lived experience of suicidality and those bereaved by suicide. However you found your way to this work, there’s a place for you at AAS27.

This milestone year showcases the very best of what makes our community special: inspiring pre-conference workshops, unforgettable keynotes and breakout sessions, the Healing After Suicide Loss Summit (HASLS), and an entirely new tradition: the Suicide Prevention Champions Gala. As part of our commitment to bridging research and practice, continuing education (CE) credits will be available across multiple professional tracks.

This year, we’re accepting session proposals for the following:

• Pre-Conference: Monday, April 12 (4-hour sessions; 4 CE credits)
• Conference: Tuesday–Thursday, April 13–15
• HASLS: Thursday, April 15 (12:00 PM–5:00 PM CDT) 

Despite growing public awareness, stronger grassroots advocacy, and increased investment in suicide prevention, suicide rates continue to rise. That’s why AAS27 will spotlight the boldest new research and the most effective strategies our field has to offer. Real progress requires culturally responsive, population-specific care, addressing the social determinants of health, and never losing sight of the person behind the data.

We’re looking for the research, practices, and ideas that will shape what’s next in suicide prevention—and we want yours to be among them. Together, we can transform the quality of care and support available to every person experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

Submission Requirements

Abstracts must identify one of the following formats, with all submissions due by October 30, 2026 (11:59 PM EST).

• Pre-Conference: A specialized four-hour educational session that provides participants with practical skills and knowledge in a specific area of suicide prevention or crisis intervention, allowing them to earn a certification or advance their professional development. Due to limited availability, AAS may request additional information about the submission prior to acceptance. 
• Paper Presentation: A 30-minute detailed overview of recent research, including the approach and findings, with audience Q&A. Two papers with similar subject matter will be scheduled within the same hour. Papers must be submitted by topic cluster. Papers may be assigned as a Poster Presentation instead, at the program committee’s discretion. 
• Workshop: A 60-minute breakout session that shares research findings, demonstrates innovation, shares best practices, or effective programming grounded in empirical findings, or lessons learned. Workshops must be instructional and interactive, with time for questions and discussion. Sessions may have up to four presenters. 

A later due date of February 1st is in place for poster presentations.

• Poster Presentation: A display of original research findings, presented during a 60-minute poster session reception. Presenters are responsible for preparing and presenting their poster, which should include the project’s essential contents (abstract, short narrative, enlarged pictures or graphics, brief discussion). Select the topic cluster that aligns most with your session topic. 

Population Cluster(s)

Abstracts should identify a population cluster.

The American Association of Suicidology aims to be inclusive and welcoming to all audiences. We recognize that impactful approaches are unique to the communities they represent. Therefore, depending on the selected abstracts, clusters will be combined to create conference tracks:

1. Advancing SAMHSA’s Crisis Continuum: 988/Crisis Call Centers, Mobile Crisis and Walk-in Centers
2. Children (ages 12 and under)
3. Clinical Suicidology Practice
4. College and University Suicide Prevention
5. Community-wide Approaches
6. Excellence in Suicide Prevention Community Services (e.g., helplines/warmlines, peer support models, and alternative responders)
7. Faith-based Innovations
8. First Responders: Police/Fire/EMS
9. Healing After Suicide Loss
10. Indigenous Communities (e.g., First Nations, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian communities)
11. Industry-specific Approaches (e.g., construction, nursing, farming)
12. Middle/High School Youth
13. Military-connected Individuals
14. Public Health Intervention, Program, or Policy Innovation
15. Secondary and Higher Education

Submission Deadlines

Submission Period Opens: Friday, August 7, 2026
Submission Period Closes: Friday, October 30, 2026 (11:59 PM EST)
Submission Period for Poster Presentations Closes: Monday, February 1, 2027 (5:00 PM EST)

Note: No submissions will be accepted after the submission deadline. If a proposal is accepted, the presenter(s) must register to attend the Annual Conference no later than January 25, 2027, or February 15, 2027, for Poster Presentations.