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Forward2026 Best Practices for Mood Disorders - Live (in-person)
October 8 - 10, 2026 - The Westin Denver Downtown - Denver, Colorado
2026 Best Practices for Mood Disorders, presented by the National Network of Depression Centers (NNDC) in collaboration with Mayo Clinic and supported by CU Anschutz, provides clinically relevant, lifespan focused updates on the management of mood disorders and associated comorbidities.
The course covers evidence-based strategies and clinical pearls related to treatment‑resistant depression and bipolar disorder, as well as emerging and novel therapies for depression. Key topics include optimizing treatment targets such as weight and cardiometabolic health, identifying when to transition from guideline‑driven algorithms to individualized care, and understanding referral considerations for ketamine, TMS, ECT, and psychedelic therapy.
The NNDC faculty includes nationally recognized leaders and active clinicians—psychiatrists, child and adolescent psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, and advanced practice providers (APRN, CNP, DNP, PA‑C)—who bring expertise informed by current research and front‑line clinical experience.
Aligned with the NNDC mission to transform lives through research and innovation in treatment and prevention of depression and bipolar disorders, this course equips clinicians with best practices to enhance patient outcomes across diverse clinical settings.
Target Audience
This course is designed for the many disciplines and providers including psychiatrists and primary care providers, psychologists, advanced practice providers, nurses, and social workers.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:
- Analyze treatment strategies for major depressive disorder across the lifespan, including children, adolescents, adults, and geriatric patients.
- Summarize evidence-based treatment approaches for bipolar disorder in adolescents, adults, and geriatric populations.
- Apply best practice strategies for the effective treatment of depression and bipolar disorder in clinical settings.
- Identify when to consider a diverse range of treatment options, including conventional antidepressants, augmentation strategies, psychotherapy, rapid acting antidepressants, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
- Evaluate and target major factors contributing to illness persistence or treatment non-response—such as insomnia, BMI, and cardiometabolic conditions—to optimize patient outcomes.
- Recognize how treatment approaches for depression may differ based on co-occurring health concerns, including anxiety disorders, substance use disorders, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and hormonal factors.
Attendance at any Mayo Clinic course does not indicate or guarantee competence or proficiency in the skills, knowledge or performance of any care or procedure(s) which may be discussed or taught in this course.
2026 Best Practices for Mood Disorders | ||
Day 1 | Thursday, October 8, 2026 | |
4:00 PM | 4:45 PM | Registration and Exhibits |
4:45 PM | 5:00 PM | Welcome Announcements |
5:00 PM | 5:30 PM | An episode of depression – diagnostic precision and treatment implications |
5:30 PM | 6:00 PM | Evidence Base Treatment Guidelines vs Individualized Targeted Approach – when to go off line? |
6:00 PM | 6:40 PM | Treatment Resistant Depression |
6:40 PM | 7:00 PM | Question and Answer Panel |
7:00 PM | 8:00 PM | Welcome Reception |
Day 2 | Friday, October 9, 2026 | |
7:00 AM | 7:45 AM | Registration, Breakfast and Exhibits |
7:15 AM | 7:45 AM | Breakfast with the Professors |
7:45 AM | 8:00 AM | Announcements |
8:00 AM | 8:20 AM | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Mood |
8:20 AM | 8:40 AM | Digital Therapy for Depression |
8:40 AM | 9:00 AM | Gender Considerations in Depression Treatment |
9:00 AM | 9:20 AM | Pharmacogenomic testing |
9:20 AM | 9:50 AM | Question and Answer Panel |
9:50 AM | 10:05 AM | Break and Exhibitors |
10:05 AM | 10:30 AM | When to refer to ECT and TMS |
10:30 AM | 11:00 AM | Ketamine Bupropion / Dextromethoraphan |
11:00 AM | 11:30 AM | Psilocybin |
11:30 AM | 12:00 PM | Question and Answer Panel |
12:00 PM | 1:00 PM | Lunch and Product Theatre – Axsome Therapeutics |
1:00 PM | 1:15 PM | Mania |
1:15 PM | 1:35 PM | Bipolar Depression |
1:35 PM | 2:05 PM | Pediatric Bipolar |
2:05 PM | 2:30 PM | Bipolar Comorbidity (Anxiety, Addiction, Attention) |
2:30 PM | 3:00 PM | Question and Answer Panel |
3:00 PM | 3:15 PM | Break and Exhibitors |
3:15 PM | 3:45 PM | Managing Cardiometabolic Burden in Mood |
3:45 PM | 4:05 PM | Promoting Health Behaviors in Mood |
4:05 PM | 4:30 PM | Ketogenic Diet consideration |
4:30 PM | 4:55 PM | Question and Answer Panel |
4:55 PM | 5:00 PM | Wrap Up |
Day 3 | Saturday, October 10, 2026 | |
7:00 AM | 7:50 AM | Breakfast and Exhibitors |
7:15 AM | 7:50 AM | Breakfast with the Professors |
7:50 AM | 8:00 AM | Announcements |
8:00 AM | 8:40 AM | PMDD, Peripartum, Perimenopause |
8:40 AM | 9:10 AM | Pregnancy Mood & Breast Feeding |
9:10 AM | 9:40 AM | Question and Answer Panel |
9:40 AM | 9:55 AM | Break and Exhibitors |
9:55 AM | 10:20 AM | Adolescent Depression |
10:20 AM | 10:45 AM | Irritability, Inattention, Impulsivity |
10:45 AM | 11:25 AM | Geriatric Depression Bipolar |
11:25 AM | 11:55 AM | Question and Answer Panel |
11:55 AM | 1:00 PM | Lunch and Product Theatre – Myriad Genetics |
1:00 PM | 1:30 PM | Sleep as a Target |
1:30 PM | 2:00 PM | Weight as a Target |
2:00 PM | 2:30 PM | Question and Answer Panel |
2:30 PM | 3:00 PM | Wrap-Up |
3:00 PM | 3:00 PM | Adjourn |
Program Subject to Change
Guest rooms have been reserved for attendees and their guests with special course rates starting at $209 per night at the Westin Denver Downtown. In order to receive the special rates, reservations must be made before the room block is filled or before the cut-off date of September 16, 2026, whichever comes first. After September 16, 2026, reservations will be taken on space and rate availability.
Click here to make your reservation online. You may also call the Reservations Department at 888-236-2427. Please identify yourself as a participant of the Mayo Clinic 2026 NNDC Best Practices for Mood Disorders when making your reservation.
All travel and lodging expenses are the sole responsibility of the individual registrant.
Accreditation Statement
In support of improving patient care, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
Credit Statement(s):
AMA
Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science designates this live activity for a maximum of 17.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
AAPA
Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science has been authorized by the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 17.00 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.
ANCC
Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science designates this activity for a maximum of 17.00 ANCC contact hours. Nurses should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
APA
Continuing Education (CE) credits for psychologists are provided through the co-sponsorship of the American Psychological Association (APA) Office of Continuing Education in Psychology (CEP). The APA CEP Office maintains responsibility for the content of the programs.
This activity is approved for a maximum of 17.00 credits. Credit is awarded only for actual instructional time.
ASWB
As a Jointly Accredited Organization, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science is approved to offer Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science maintains responsibility for this course. Social workers completing this course will receive 17.00 general continuing education credits.
IPCE
This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive 17.00 Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credit for learning and change.
Other Healthcare Professionals:
A record of attendance will be provided to all registrants for requesting credits in accordance with state nursing boards, specialty societies or other professional associations.
| Day | Credit(s) |
|---|---|
| Thursday | 2.25 |
| Friday | 8.25 |
| Saturday | 6.50 |
For disclosure information regarding Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development accreditation review committee member(s) and staff, please go here to review disclosures.
Available Credit
- 17.00 AAPA Category 1
- 17.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
- 17.00 ANCC
- 17.00 APA
- 17.00 ASWB
- 17.00 Attendance
- 17.00 IPCE
Thank you for your interest in Mayo Clinic Best Practices for Mood Disorders course. This course is currently in the early planning stages. If you’d like to be notified when opportunities become available, please add your name to our Notify Me list. Signing up to be notified will ensure that you receive an email when exhibitor information is available. No additional information is available until then.
Price
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Commitment to Belonging and Inclusion
Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development (MCSCPD) strives to foster a learning environment in which all individuals are valued, allowing all to achieve their fullest potential.
Every effort will be made to accommodate dietary requirements; however, some requests may not be feasible based on venue kitchen capabilities. Attendees will be contacted in advance if a dietary restriction cannot be fulfilled.
The Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development strives for fully accessible learning experiences. If you anticipate any barriers while attending this course, please reach out to the course coordinator who will be in touch with all registrants. If you need disability-related accommodations, please contact the Office of Wellness and Academic Support – Disability Access Services at MCCMS.DS@mayo.edu.
Cancellation and Refund Policy
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