Reflecting on Suicide Prevention Awareness Month: Continuing the Conversation

Each September, Suicide Prevention Awareness Month calls us to pause, reflect, and recommit to the work of building a community where hope and connection outweigh hopelessness and stigma. At Touchstone Foundation, we hold this mission close to our hearts. We are here to be the touchstone—a steady place in Lancaster County for youth, families, and mental health providers to find support, resources, and connection.

Honoring Bill Zee’s Legacy

This month also brings us back to the memory of our dear friend and Board member, Bill Zee, whose advocacy shaped much of the work we do today. Bill dedicated his life to advancing trauma-informed care and ensuring youth mental health was prioritized in schools and beyond.

In his honor, we created the Bill Zee Legacy Scholarship, awarded to students passionate about carrying forward his commitment to mental wellness. The heartfelt messages from Bill’s family remind us that his influence lives on—not only through this scholarship, but also in every life touched by his advocacy.

Continuing Conversations

“Continuing conversations” is this year’s national theme, and it reflects our belief that small acts of connection can change lives. A check-in call, a message from a mentor, or a supportive text can interrupt loneliness and open doors to healing. At Touchstone Foundation, our programs are designed to keep these conversations alive, to make sure no young person or family feels alone when facing mental health challenges.

Touchstone Programs that foster Hope:

• Mental Health Access Assistance Program – ensuring therapy is affordable and accessible for youth and families.
• Rise Above Youth Summit – creating safe spaces for high school students to explore identity, resilience, and strategies for mental wellness.
• Student Symposium: Pathways to Mental Health Careers – building the next generation of mental health professionals through mentorship, career exploration, and peer connection.

Talent Pipeline Celebrations – honoring students and early-career professionals who remind us that the future of mental health care is strong and hopeful.

Through these programs, we see the science of hope in action: young people developing resilience, finding mentors, and believing in their ability to shape a better future.

Building a Legacy of Care

Our work is not only about today—it’s about creating a legacy of support and understanding for generations to come. By standing together in kindness, without stigma, we can build a community where every young person is recognized, supported, and celebrated.

As the season shifts and life feels heavier with the pressures of school, work, and uncertainty, we encourage everyone to slow down, connect, and keep the conversation going. Whether through mentorship, advocacy, or simply checking in on a friend, each of us has the power to prevent despair and nurture hope.

Touchstone Foundation will continue to lead these conversations here in Lancaster County, working alongside families, schools, and partners. Together, we rise above hopelessness and create a future grounded in care, connection, and compassion.

If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, help is available.

Dial 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.