Adolescent Health Symposium
A page within Adolescent Health Symposium
Building a Mindset for Prevention and Collective Health Promotion in Our Youth
A fully interactive virtual experience designed to help you connect, engage, network, and learn with peers and experts.
31st Annual Adolescent Health Symposium
February 12–13, 2026
Join us at the Adolescent Health Symposium and leave with newfound knowledge, a refreshed perspective, and a toolkit of strategies to make a lasting impact on the well-being of today's youth.
- Three renowned keynote presenters
- Diverse, informative, and interactive breakout sessions
- Three tracks:
- Risk Factors
- Health Promotion & Protective Factors
- Emering Health Issues
Free Public Event
9 a.m., February 12, 2026
The Adolescent Health Symposium is pleased to offer our lead-off keynote presentation free of charge to all.
Mother Nature's Prescription for Mental Wellbeing: The Power of Play and Other Self-Directed Activity
Peter Gray, Ph.D.Peter Gray, Ph.D., will share powerful insights from his research, showing why self-directed activities are essential for adolescent health and well-being.
Keynote Speakers
Peter Gray
Peter Gray, Ph.D., Research Professor & Emeritus Professor, Psychology & Neuroscience, Boston College
Ryan McKelley
Ryan McKelley, Ph.D., LP, HS, Professor of Clinical/Counseling Psychology, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
Welcome to the 31st Annual
Adolescent Health Symposium
This annual gathering of educators, youth workers, educational administrators, community leaders, and health and human service professionals advances key topics in the areas of health education and adolescent wellness. We are honored to have four renowned keynote presenters with diverse perspectives, as well as dedicated breakout session facilitators presenting a diverse assortment of topics in alignment with our three symposium tracks:
- Track 1: Risk Factors (Red)
- Track 2: Health Promotion and Protective Factors (Green)
- Track 3: Emerging Issues (Blue)
Please select the breakout sessions that best meet your personal and professional needs. You do not have to remain solely in one breakout session track throughout the Symposium. Engage in active learning and prepare to return to your organization with new and exciting insights and strategies for working with today’s youth.
The Symposium is offered in cooperation with the UW-La Crosse Department of Public Health and Community Health Education, and UW-La Crosse Graduate & Extended Learning
Special Thanks to the Wisconsin Association for Middle-Level Education (WAMLE) for their support and assistance advertising the Adolescent Health Symposium.