Did you know the annual Meeting of the Minds conference turned 25 this year?! In fact, both Partners in Prevention and Meeting of the Minds have been going for 25 years! That is a quarter of a century full of advocacy, prevention, research, empowerment, inclusion, opportunity, and compassion.
Unsurprisingly, this year’s conference was fantastic. Brought to life by amazing staff members, they were supported by incredible speakers, over 300 attendees, 90 educational sessions, and the opportunity to make connections with people from PIPs past and present.
MOM 2025 Highlights
Broad Application: This year’s conference provided education and prevention-related topics for a number of careers and/or interest areas including law enforcement, campus medical staff, students, campus prevention and wellness staff, peer educators, administrators, Greek and residential life, counselors, diversity and inclusion focuses, procedure and policy, as well as the option to engage in sensory or relaxation opportunities.
Keynote Series: This year’s keynote series was particularly impactful, following a theme related to reducing stigma and increasing compassion and understanding around substance use and mental health. Attendees were treated to a powerful discussion to kick off the conference by Martha & Chris Thomas of “The Defensive Line” who shared their family’s story related to mental health and suicide prevention. This was followed by the always delightful and unbelievably full of facts Dr. Jason Kilmer discussing more of what we are learning about cannabis use. Saturday morning closed out with a challenge to consider the multiple frameworks that exist around “why” people use substances by Dylan Dunn, Senior Director of SAFE Campuses.
Students: The students are the primary reason why we do any of this. We want to figure out what will be helpful for them and will prevent as much harm as possible for them and for those in the future. One of the greatest delights at MOM is meeting the young people who are the future of prevention. Students did a fantastic job this year of presenting poster sessions, leading educational sessions, and challenging the status quo of previous thinking and strategies.
Fun: The topics at MOM can be intense, rightfully so given the negative impacts so many of these issues can have if they are not properly studied and prevented. However, we did take the time this year to have some fun, relaxing, unique, and/or uplifting opportunities. Some highlights include the hygge-focused sensory room available throughout the conference, sessions on yoga, meditation, happiness, well-being, self-care, and even a visit from SLUs Duo Dog Woody!
After 25 years, it doesn’t look like PIP or MOM is going anywhere anytime soon, and for that, we are grateful. In a world that sometimes feels like it is on fire and we are taking steps back rather than steps forward, this annual conference is an opportunity to get together with like-minded folks, remember we are not alone in our work, and look forward to the next time we can get together.
Mark your calendar for MOM 2026 in St. Louis, April 9-11!
Published April 28, 2025. By Anne Rulo, Author, Speaker, Therapist. www.annerulo.com. FB/IG/Twitter @annemrulo