Four school districts team up for annual mental health and wellness symposium

Fourth annual Mental Health & Wellness Symposium offers resources for families and students

Indian Prairie Unit District 204, East Aurora Unit District 131, Naperville Community Unit District 203, and Oswego Community Unit School District 308 are once again partnering to host the fourth annual Mental Health & Wellness Symposium on Saturday, March 7.

The symposium, presented by the Indian Prairie Educational Foundation, is about bringing families and students together for a day focused on connection, learning, and well-being.

It will be 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Metea Valley High School, 1801 N. Eola Road in Aurora. The event is designed to connect families with practical tools, expert guidance, and community resources to help support student mental health and overall wellness.

“Student well-being is a shared responsibility, and this partnership allows us to reach more families with meaningful, high-quality support,” said Dr. Adrian Talley, superintendent of Indian Prairie School District 204. “By working together, our districts can expand access to trusted experts and resources while reinforcing the message that no family has to navigate these challenges alone.”

Keynote speakers

This year’s symposium will feature separate keynote sessions designed specifically for adults and students.

The Adult Keynote Session, titled “Restoring Our Youth: Fostering Communication, Conversation and Connection,” will be presented by Dr. John Duffy and Cathy Cassani Adams, licensed clinical social worker.

Duffy is a Chicago-based clinical psychologist and nationally recognized parenting expert, and the author of three bestselling books focused on helping teens thrive in today’s world.

Adams is the co-host of the “Zen POP” podcast, founder of the Zen Parenting Conference, and former therapist at Lurie Children’s Hospital. Together, they will share strategies for strengthening relationships with children through authentic communication, connection, and modeling healthy behaviors.

The Student Keynote Session, titled “ABBONDANZA! ‘Notice the Good,’” will be delivered by Eddie Slowikowski, a former world-class runner and USA Track & Field gold medalist.

Now a nationally sought-after speaker, Slowikowski uses storytelling, humor, and music to encourage students to shift their mindset from scarcity to abundance and to recognize the strengths and opportunities within themselves and others.

In addition to keynote presentations, the symposium will offer:

• Breakout sessions for adults and students in sixth to 12th grade, covering topics such as managing anxiety, building resilience, and strengthening relationships

• A Community Resource Fair connecting families with local support organizations

• Experience Sessions focused on wellness and coping strategies

• A book fair and complimentary lunch for attendees

• A variety of prize drawings

There will be complimentary child care for children ages 3 to 10.

To encourage participation, the first 500 adult attendees will receive a welcome bag, and the first 200 student attendees will receive a complimentary T-shirt. Adult attendees will also receive a complimentary copy of one of the keynote speakers’ books.

The event is open to the public, and registration is encouraged. For more information and to register, visit bit.ly/MHWS2026.