The 4th Annual Conference connected holistic reclamation and longevity, emphasizing how positive mental health can help us age with grace and vitality.
By John Lavitt
Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 05-19-2025
LOS ANGELES, CA – Against the backdrop of a growing global mental health crisis, the 4th Annual Emerging Themes in Behavioral Health Conference, held from April 30 to May 2 at the UCLA Luskin Conference Center, proved timely and transformational. Under the banner “Reclaiming Your Mental Health: Integrated, Creative & Holistic Approaches,” the conference brought together clinicians, researchers, thought leaders, and wellness advocates to explore innovative, evidence-based mental health and personal well-being approaches.
Reclamation emerged as the event’s defining theme, urging individuals to regain control of their mental well-being in an increasingly stressful and disconnected world. Instead of relying on a one-size-fits-all approach, the conference emphasized integration, personalization, and holistic care tailored to individual needs.
Workshops and sessions covered mindfulness, creativity, trauma-informed care, and bio-individual healing. Many of these approaches go beyond symptom management to address the root causes of distress. Highlights included a discussion of spiritually integrated care by JD Kalmenson, the Chief Executive Officer of Renewal Health Group and a Storyteller for Change, and Dr. Tiffany Naumann, PsyD, the Chief Clinical Officer at Montare Behavioral Health.
Among numerous engaging presentations, Elias Arjan’s emphasis on connecting mental health to longevity stood out as the most intriguing. Arjan illuminated the competing concepts of lifespan and healthspan by linking the pursuit of mental health to the broader and increasingly urgent theme of human longevity.
In a captivating session titled “Enduring Minds: The Intersection of Longevity and Mental Health,” Elias Arjan invited the audience to broaden their understanding of what it truly means to live a long and meaningful life. The co-founder and CEO of PRUVN™ Research and a globally recognized speaker on healthspan and biotechnology, Arjan challenged people to think beyond lifespan and concentrate on healthspan—the quality, not just quantity, of the years we live.
Arjan shared the stage with Dutch social connector Peter Post, the founder of The Happiness Model, and Jennifer L. Enriquez, Clinical Director of the 2S/LGBTQIA+ RTC House at the La Ventana Treatment Center. Peter Post underlined the importance of sustainable happiness for maintaining social bonds and good health. Enriquez discussed how mental health challenges can undermine longevity when patients become a danger to themselves.
At the helm of the session, Elias Arjan made a compelling case that mental health is a central pillar and a factor in longevity. His talk bridged cutting-edge research and real-world strategies, blending modern science with timeless wisdom. “Living to 100 isn’t the goal,” Arjan explained, “Thriving to 100—that’s the goal.”
Arjan explained that lifespan refers to the total number of years a person lives. At the same time, healthspan describes the period during which a person remains healthy, vibrant, and fully functional—physically, mentally, and emotionally. In his view, these concepts must be separated to create healthcare systems and personal habits that do more than keep people alive; they must help them live well.
“Cognitive decline,” he noted, “is one of the most feared aspects of aging. People can deal with physical limitations, but the idea of losing their mental acuity, their memory, their sense of self—that’s terrifying.”
The Longevity Basics Bucket List
For those wondering how to start facing such challenges, including cognitive decline, Arjan shared what he calls the Longevity Basics Bucket List—simple, foundational steps that anyone can take today to support their healthspan. These include:
- Prioritizing Sleep:
Consistent 7–9 hours nightly, minimizing screen exposure before bed and upon waking.
- Daily Movement:
Incorporating “movement snacks” every 45 minutes, daily aerobic activity, and strength training multiple times a week.
- Mindful Eating:
Focusing on whole, unprocessed foods and practicing intermittent fasting if appropriate.
- Stress Management:
Embracing mindfulness, creative expression, and techniques to regulate nervous system function.
- Social Bonds:
Building strong relationships, community engagement, and acts of service.
- Proactive Diagnostics:
Embracing regular checkups and personalized testing as part of bio-individual health advocacy.
- Lifelong Learning:
Staying curious, adaptable, and mentally engaged throughout life.
“It’s not the massive changes that matter,” Elias Arjan emphasized. “It’s the small habits we repeat daily that make the difference. And any spiritual quest must include compassion, purpose, and connection. Reclaiming your mental health is not separate from reclaiming your life. It’s about aligning your biology with your values and creating a path forward where thriving is possible, even amid adversity.”
As the conference drew to a close, attendees departed with renewed hope and practical tools for transforming mental health care. The 2025 Emerging Themes in Behavioral Health Conference made it clear that the future lies not in isolated interventions but in a unified movement toward whole-person, purpose-driven wellness, where thriving is possible for all.
Photo by John Lavitt
