Third Annual Child & Youth Mental Health Symposium

Join us for the Third Annual Child & Youth Mental Health Symposium at The StoneHouse Hall in Peterborough, ON, Canada! This in-person event brings together experts in the field to discuss important topics related to child and youth mental health. Don't miss this opportunity to learn, connect, and grow with other professionals passionate about supporting young minds. We can't wait to see you there!

Young people navigating mental health challenges deserve to be heard—not just as recipients of care, but as active participants in shaping their own well-being. This year’s symposium will explore frameworks for empowering children and youth as agents of change in their mental health journeys. The event will feature a keynote presentation on evidence-based approaches, followed by a panel of local experts in child and youth mental health who will share insights, strategies, and real-world applications. Together, we will explore how to elevate and center young voices in the face of adversity.

Keynote Presenter: Dr. Ceilidh Eaton Russell

Ceilidh is a certified child life specialist and an assistant professor in Child Life and Pediatric Psychosocial Care at McMaster University, and a Research Fellow with the Association of Child Life Professionals. She practices clinically with AWC Grief Support and is the Child Life Lead for Canadian Virtual Hospice. Since 2001, Ceilidh’s research, teaching, and clinical work have focused on communication, relationships, and support for children and families living with a child’s or parent’s serious illness, dying, death, and grief, with an emphasis on communication and relationships from the perspectives of young people and their parents.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

The StoneHouse Hall, Lansdowne Street, Peterborough, ON, Canada