4th Annual Mental Health and Wellness Symposium - March 7, 2026

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The 4th Annual Mental Health and Wellness Symposium will be held on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at Metea Valley High School.

This FREE community event offers education, resources, and connections while helping reduce barriers to mental health information and support. Adults and students (grades 6–12) can participate in keynote presentations, breakout sessions, experience sessions, a community resource fair, a book fair, and enjoy a complimentary lunch. Complimentary childcare will be available for children ages 3–10.

[ADULT KEYNOTE SESSION] Restoring Our Youth: Fostering Communication,  Conversation and Connection
Keynote Speakers: Dr. John Duffy & Cathy Cassani Adams

BIO: Dr. John Duffy is a Chicago-based clinical psychologist, best-selling author, and nationally recognized parenting expert with 25 years of experience working with adolescents, young adults, and their families. He is the author of three best-selling books that equip parents with practical tools to help teens and young adults thrive in today’s age of anxiety. Dr. Duffy is a frequent contributor to major media outlets including CNN, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Time, and regularly appears as an expert on television and radio nationwide. He also speaks internationally to parent and professional groups and shares his insights through his Substack, On Parenting and Life.

BIO: Cathy Cassani Adams, LCSW, is the co-host of the long-running Zen Parenting Radio  podcast, now called the Zen POP podcast, and the founder of the annual Zen Parenting Conference in Chicago. She is the author of Restoring Our Girls, Zen Parenting, and Living What You Want Your Kids to Learn, all three International Book Award winners. Cathy is a clinical social worker, certified parent coach, former elementary school teacher, and yoga instructor. She previously worked as a Child and Family Therapist and Clinical Educator at Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and created Be U, a self-awareness program for preadolescent girls. She writes weekly on Substack and has taught in the Sociology and Criminology Department at Dominican University for the past 15 years.

Keynote Description: Adolescent mental health challenges can feel isolating for both parent and child. Young people may feel uncomfortable sharing serious struggles for fear of being misunderstood or feeling rejected. Adams and Duffy will share real world insights on being the role model kids need, and they will explain how being genuine can open doors to true happiness. Participants will learn how connection can ease challenges and ensure a healthy and trusting relationship as kids grow.

[Student Keynote Session] ABBONDANZA! “Notice the Good”
Student Keynote Speaker: Eddie Slowikowski

BIO: Eddie Slowikowski is a former world-class runner and Gold Medalist with USA Track & Field, ranking among the nation’s elite milers as the 169th American to break the four-minute mile and a three-time NCAA Division I All-American and National Cross Country Champion from Loyola University Chicago. After an early career as a reporter in training at CNN, Eddie launched his own business and is now a highly sought-after speaker, consultant, and author known as an “Inspired Performance” expert. For more than three decades, his acclaimed Four Minute Formula and dynamic, story-driven presentations have motivated audiences from all walks of life to perform at their highest level—emotionally, mentally, and professionally.

Keynote Description: Abbondanza! Notice the Good is an uplifting, high-energy experience that reminds people how powerful it is to pause, reflect, and celebrate what’s already right in their lives. Through storytelling, humor, music, and heartfelt moments, Eddie Slowikowski challenges audiences to shift their focus from scarcity to abundance, recognizing the gifts they carry, the people who matter most, and the opportunities right in front of them. This presentation inspires individuals and teams to notice the good, lead with gratitude, share their talents generously, and create a culture where positivity, purpose, and abundance can thrive, both personally and professionally.

Watch Eddie Slowikowski’s YouTube Promo here.

VIEW ADDITIONAL EVENT INFORMATION AND REGISTER HERE