The Touchstone Foundation will host its first-ever Student Symposium on Friday, Sept. 27, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at IU13, 1020 New Holland Ave., Lancaster. The event's purpose is to foster a community of support for students exploring careers in the mental health field - one of Touchstone Foundation's main goals - and it is open to high school students, undergraduate students, graduate students, and recent graduates.

Attendees will learn about the career opportunities in the mental health field; connect with potential mentors; apply for jobs, internships, and placement opportunities; learn about the educational and licensure process; and gain insight about local community mental health resources.

In addition, panel discussions will offer students, recent graduates, and licensed mental health providers opportunities to speak to current students and recent graduates about their journey toward a mental health career. To sign up as a panelist, visit http://www.touchstonefound.org.

The event will feature small group breakout sessions for students at every level of education to learn from students and professionals at the next level of the licensure journey. Breakout panelist sessions will focus on undergraduate students in mental health career majors, graduate students in mental health fields, recent graduates, licensed mental health providers, specific modalities of treatment, and serving specific populations.

The Student Symposium will also feature table displays, and this opportunity is open to community partners, organizations, agencies, colleges and universities, and local mental health providers. Those with table displays may recruit students for enrollment, jobs or internships, advertising programs, or sharing resources.  

A textbook and resource materials swap table will be available for anyone interested in donating gently used materials or obtaining materials free of charge.  

The registration fee includes breakfast, lunch, and a T-shirt. To register, visit the aforementioned website.

Touchstone Foundation, a nonprofit organization, is celebrating 25 years of working to elevate the mental well-being of youths and children in Lancaster County.

To become a community partner with Touchstone, email intern@touchstonefound.org.