The NBCC Foundation proudly hosted the 2024 Bridging the Gap Symposium: Eliminating Mental Health Disparities on March 15–16 in the Washington, D.C., metro area.
The theme for this year’s event, Empowering Voices and Expanding Access, was chosen because it demonstrates support for counselors, counselor educators, and others in the profession who amplify the voices of marginalized communities and promote equitable access to mental health resources.
Over 400 counselors and counselors-in-training came together at this year’s Symposium. Attendees participated in a range of workshops and discussion groups, with 130 workshop presenters among 70 sessions offered. Presenters delivered action-oriented items for attendees to implement in their daily practices. Three keynote presentations were included: Haner Hernández, PhD, CPS, CADCII, LADCI, presented Eliminating Disparities and Building Health Equity: A Social Justice Framework and Approach; Carlos Hipolito-Delgado, PhD, led Action: Getting Past Awareness, Knowledge, and Skill; and Jason Branch, PhD, NCC, ACS, LPC, offered his expertise in Utilizing Effective Strategies to Increase Healthy Self-Care Practices for Communities of Color.
“The fellowship, insights, and inspiration present at Symposium are always palpable, and this year’s event was no different,” said Isabel Gomez, Vice President of Foundation and Professional Services. “All Fellows and attendees left feeling a renewed sense of purpose and confidence in just how important their work is to the counseling profession.”