Why I’m excited for NatCon 2025 

By: Tom Studdert, Vice President of Customer Support & Education at Ensora Health

NatCon, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing Conference, is the leading event for mental health and substance use professionals. It offers thought-provoking sessions, inspiring speakers, and networking opportunities, all designed to help attendees drive change in their communities. 

As the Vice President of Customer Support & Education at Ensora Health, this will be my first time attending NatCon, and I couldn’t be more excited. This isn’t just any conference. It’s THE event for mental health and substance use recovery, bringing together some of the brightest minds in the field. For me, this is a fantastic opportunity to spend time in-person with our customers and other leaders from across the country, who care so deeply for their patients and their communities.  

While Ensora Health will have our own booth at the event where we’ll showcase our solutions and talk about where we’re headed as a company, what excites me most is the chance to sneak away a bit to attend sessions and learn from so many of our peers in the field about what’s happening in the world of mental health and substance use recovery. 

Connecting with our customers  

At Ensora Health, we view our customers as partners, and I’m looking forward to meeting and talking with them face-to-face. These partners are clinicians, administrators, and professionals who are doing incredible work every day, in their communities and for their patients. They come from multiple specialties, and I am excited to learn more about the opportunities and challenges they face, and what I can do to advocate for them in my role. 

Sessions that spark interest 

While there’s so much to see and learn at NatCon 2025, a few topics stand out. The topic of AI and how that integrates into the world of therapy is intriguing to me, and there are several sessions that I plan to attend. AI is such a hot topic right now, and because the use of ethical AI is so important to our customers, I want to explore how advances in this technology can enhance, rather than complicate, patient care. 

As someone who once lived in Washington DC, I have always been drawn to the legal landscape of healthcare, so I am also really looking forward to the sessions related to updated federal rules and regulations. Especially in a time of so much uncertainty and change at the federal level, understanding these policies will help us support our customers better as they adapt to new realities.  

And then there are the poster sessions, which I’m excited to attend. A lot of time goes into these, and I love interacting with the hosts of these presentations. For me, they bring new ideas to life in a hands-on, engaging way. 

Applying what I learn  

Innovation that can help our customers be successful is at the heart of what we are doing at Ensora Health. That’s why this year my team is rolling out new tools, like a robust training hub, an online customer community, and knowledge center that will make it easier for our customers to access resources and connect with peers. It’s important to me that all of our team members in support and education are knowledgeable about the therapy market and where it’s headed so they are well-equipped to participate in the conversation. 

To accomplish that, learning and staying up to date with trends in mental health and healthcare technology is critical. My job is about more than just fixing technical issues; it’s about supporting our customers in every way we can. I hope to bring back real-world insights so my team feels connected and gains understanding and compassion for the challenges our customers face every day.  

Promoting equity through customer support  

I believe that customer support is the great equalizer. We are the chief advocate for our customers. When someone calls us, they’re not just facing a technical glitch; their ability to serve their patients is on the line. Our goal, no matter who they are, is to get them the resources they need. We don’t look at how much they spend with us. We don’t look at where they are in the country. We don’t look at who they service. We look at the fact they are not able to do what they need to do—serve their clients. And our goal is to get them back to doing just that.  

This approach perfectly aligns with NatCon 2025’s focus on innovation and collaboration. At Ensora Health, we aim to advance access and equity in mental health care through every interaction we have with our customers. 

Staying true to our mission  

I have not worked in the healthcare tech space for long, so this is a great opportunity for me to really broaden my horizon and dive in deep. NatCon 2025 offers the perfect setting to learn, grow, and make connections that remind me why I’m here. It is important for me to talk the talk and walk the walk—for both my customers and for my team.  

When Ensora Health talks about helping to deliver whole-person care and practicing in harmony, we mean it. Attending events like NatCon helps us stay ahead in a rapidly evolving industry while remaining grounded in the values that make this work worthwhile. 

Looking ahead  

NatCon isn’t just a three-day conference; it’s a call to action. It’s a chance to connect, learn, and work toward meaningful change in the mental health industry. I’m honored to represent Ensora Health at NatCon 2025 and bring back insights that can help make our work even more impactful.  

If you’re attending, I’d love to meet you. Stop by the Ensora Health booth and say hello. Or better yet, catch me at a session or poster presentation. The future of mental health care is shaped through connections, and I’m excited to build that future with all of you. 

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