The Alex Panton Foundation (APF) has announced that the 9th Annual Youth Mental Health Symposium will take place on Saturday, 21 February 2026 at Hotel Indigo, Grand Cayman.

This year’s Symposium is guided by the theme “Lighting the Way: Turning Hope Into Action.” The theme reflects APF’s continued focus on equipping adults with the understanding, confidence and practical tools needed to better support young people navigating mental health challenges.

The 2026 Symposium moves beyond awareness to focus on meaningful, informed action. It is designed to provide parents, educators, healthcare professionals, youth workers and community members with practical takeaways and evidence-informed perspectives they can apply in real-world settings to better support young people.

Jane Panton, Chairperson and Co-Founder of the Alex Panton Foundation, said: “As the Symposium enters its ninth year, we remain committed to creating a space that encourages learning, reflection and action. This year’s theme reflects our belief that informed and compassionate adult support can make a real difference in the lives of our young people.”

The agenda will feature a diverse programme of presentations, panel discussions, and interactive sessions, with contributions from clinicians, educators, community leaders and youth mental health advocates. Attendees are encouraged to engage actively throughout the day.

The full agenda, session topics and complete speaker lineup will be available on AlexPantonFoundation.ky in the coming weeks.

The Symposium is free to attend, due to the generous support of our sponsors, however registration is required as space is limited.

Sponsors include: Butterfield Bank, Tower, Stingray Media, Dart, Cayman Islands Health Services Authority, Cayman Marl Road, CINICO, Doctors Express, Greenlight RE, Integra Healthcare, Ministry of Health, Environment & Sustainability, Ministry of Youth, Sports & Heritage, OceanMed, Ogier and Ugland Properties.

To register for the Symposium, visit https://alexpantonfoundation.ky. For ongoing updates, speaker announcements and event information, follow Alex Panton Foundation on social media @alexpantonfoundation.

-ENDS –                                                                                                                    

About the Alex Panton Foundation

The Alex Panton Foundation (“APF”) is a Non-profit Organisation with the primary objective of raising awareness of mental illnesses affecting children and young adults in the Cayman Islands with a particular focus on anxiety and depression.

This Foundation has been established in memory of Alex Panton, who succumbed to the effects of severe depression at the age of 16.

APF aims to provide hope and resources to friends, family, teachers, classmates, and careers to help save the lives of children and young adults struggling with mental illness.