Best Practices for Mood Disorders

2026 National Network of Depression Centers Best Practices for Mood Disorders, in Collaboration with Mayo Clinic, supported by CU Anschutz

October 8 – 10, 2026 | The Westin Denver Downtown | 1672 Lawrence St, 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.

Registration Fees:

MD,DO, PhD: $750
Allied Health, NP, PA, Retirees: $650

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

Hotel Reservations:

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.

Travel:

We can’t wait to see you in Denver this for this year’s National Network of Depression Centers Best Practices Conference. Learn more about this year’s program below!

Important Conference Links

- Mayo Clinic Registration Link and Conference Details
- Conference Agenda
- Conference Flyer
- Hotel Reservations by September 16
- Virtual Scholarship Open to All Mental Health Trainees and Early Career Professionals – 50% off registration (Excludes physicians and open to all in the United States and beyond)
- Colorado Mental Health Trainees & Early Career Professionals In-Person Scholarship – 50% off registration (Excludes physicians and open to all Colorado residents who live, train or practice in Colorado)
- Student Clinician In-Person Travel Award Application (For NNDC Member Sites Only) – Closed
- Become a 2026 Sponsor

About

The NNDC Best Practices Conference is aimed at providing clinically relevant updates for the management of mood disorders & associated comorbidities across the lifespan. Topics include updates and clinical pearls on treatment resistant depression and bipolar disorder, new & novel treatments for depression, and when to refer for TMS, ECT, psychedelic therapy. The NNDC faculty are active clinicians [psychiatrists, child psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, and advanced practice providers (APRN, CNP, DNP, PA-C)], informed by new research, and committed to meet the mission of NNDC –use the power of our network to advance scientific discovery, and to provide stigma free, evidence-based care to patients with depressive and bipolar illnesses.

Course format is a rich clinical educational environment of engaging lectures of science and stories – case based learning within the context of existing and emerging new research. Breakout seminars will be interactive and emphasize collaborative learning. Attendees will be able to engage with faculty and other learners as they share opportunities and challenges in their practices.

Target Audience

This course is designed for the many disciplines and providers including psychiatrists and primary care providers, psychologists, advanced practice providers, nursing, and pharmacists.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:

Analyze treatment strategies for major depression in children, adolescents, adults, and geriatric patients.
Summarize treatment strategies for bipolar disorder in adolescents, adults, and geriatric patients.
Apply best practices approaches for the treatment of depression and bipolar disorder.
Identify when to consider a diverse set of treatment options including conventional antidepressants, augmentation strategies, psychotherapy, rapid-acting antidepressants, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), and electroconvulsive therapy.

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.