Yankton Area Mental Wellness Conference
June 3-4, 2026
Honoring Growth: Advancing Mental Health for All
For over two decades, our conference has been a staple for mental health and wellness training and networking, spanning two informative days. During the 2026 conference we are navigating wellness in a changing world. Explore topical content, current trends, and poignant survivor stories delivered by impactful speakers at the forefront of mental health wellness. Earn professional credits and even graduate credit from Mount Marty University Professional Development Institute for an additional $50 fee.
Plenary Speakers
Leacey Brown, MS
Loretta Bryan, BSN, Rn, CPHQ
Rebecca Farley David, MPH
Dr. Paul Gavoni
Ron Goodsell
Kathryn Hecht Weber, PhD
Kevin Lein, EdD
Janel Rodriguez
Earn credits from the Professional Development Institute at Mount Marty University for $50
FOLLOW THE APPLICATION & REGISTRATION GUIDE’S 5 SIMPLE STEPS
Conference Schedule
ALL SESSIONS AT YANKTON HIGH SCHOOL – 1801 SUMMIT STREET, YANKTON, SD
Day 1 – Wednesday, June 3
7:30am - 8:00am
Yankton High School (YHS) - Auditorium Lobby
Registration & Refreshments
8:00am - 8:15am
YHS Auditorium
Welcome & Introductions
8:15am - 9:30am
YHS Auditorium
Plenary Session I
Rebecca Farley David, MPH, Principal Advisor, Public Policy & Special Initiatives
National Council for Mental Wellbeing
Advancing Quality and Access Through the CCBHC Model
9:45am - 10:45am
11:00am - 12:15pm
YHS Auditorium
Plenary Session II
Leacey E. Brown, M.S., SDSU Extension Gerontology Field Specialist, and
Master of Science in Gerontology
Reframing Communication about Aging in Clinical and Community Settings
12:15pm - 1:00pm
Lunch
1:00pm - 2:15pm
YHS Auditorium
Plenary Session III
Loretta Bryan, BSN, RN, CPHQ
Walking Through Addiction Together: A Story of Love and Hope
2:30pm - 3:30pm
3:45pm - 5:00pm
YHS Auditorium
Plenary Session IV
Dr. Kevin Lein, Wayne State College Associate Professor of Education
Leadership. Ed. D., MS, MA, BA, BS
Turn a heart, touch a soul: A life in search of restorative practice.
Day 2 – Thursday, June 4
8:05am - 9:35am
YHS Auditorium
Opening Plenary Session V
Dr. Paul Gavoni
Finding Your Authentic Self: The Fight to Become You
9:45am - 10:45am
11:00am - 12:15pm
YHS Auditorium
Plenary Session VI
Kathryn Hecht Weber, PhD Assistant Professor Creighton University
In My Boundaries Era: Saying no without Guilt
12:15pm - 12:55pm
Lunch
1:00pm - 2:15pm
YHS Auditorium
Plenary Session VII
Brandon Dunn is the Co-Founder and Vice President of the Forever 15
Project, a nonprofit dedicated to fentanyl crisis awareness, youth prevention, and education.
Fighting Fentanyl: The Noah Rodriguez Story
2:30pm - 3:30pm
3:45pm - 5:00pm
YHS Auditorium
Closing Plenary VIII
Ronald Goodsell with Special Guests: DPTLC house guests Dakota Plains Recovery
Group and Sisseton-Wahpeton Peer Recovery Program
Mental Health in a Recovery Commitment
Register Online
Two Day Pass
$225
EARLY BIRD
$250
AFTER MAY 30
One Day Pass
$200
EARLY BIRD
$225
AFTER MAY 30
Full-Time
Students
ONE OR
TWO DAY
PASS
Half
Price
Our Sponsors
Our sponsors are committed to the well-being of our community and contribute to a broader societal shift in attitudes towards mental health and wellness.
