About this Event
Join the Meraki Institute of Learning by Tanager as we kick off Mental Health Month with the Mental Wellbeing & Resilience Summit at Camp Tanager.
This event will launch our 2026 Mental Health Month campaign theme:
Together We Rise
The summit will bring together community members, professionals, and advocates for a meaningful day focused on resilience, connection, and mental wellbeing.
Participants will hear from inspiring speakers, engage in conversation around mental health, and explore ways individuals and communities can support wellbeing and growth.
Wes Woodson – Keynote Speaker
Wes Woodson is a nationally recognized mental health speaker and author who has spoken to more than 100,000 students and professionals across the country.
Through his personal story of overcoming anxiety and self-doubt, Wes shares powerful insights about resilience, self-belief, and building healthier relationships with ourselves and others.
His message centers around three powerful words:
You Are Enough.
Wes combines honesty, humor, and lived experience to inspire audiences to stop spiraling in negative thoughts and start believing in their ability to grow.
Tonya Hotchkin, LMFT, RPT – Author & Speaker
Tonya Hotchkin is a Marriage and Family Therapist, play therapist and trauma practitioner who leads Clinical Care and Programming at Tanager in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Tonya is the creator of the RISE: Wellness and Resilience Framework and will be speaking about the themes of resilience, healing, and connection highlighted in her newly released book launching on May 1.
Her work is grounded in compassion, authenticity, and a deep belief in the resilience of children, families, and communities.
The 2026 Resilience & Wellbeing Summit offers two ways to participate depending on your schedule and interest.
Morning Keynote & Panel Experience - $10
Join us for an inspiring morning featuring nationally recognized speaker Wes Woodson, followed by a panel discussion and audience Q&A focused on resilience, mental health, and community wellbeing. Tonya Hotchkin will also share messaging around the RISE framework and her book titled RISE, launching May 1st.
Full Day Summit Experience – $25 (Lunch Included)
Stay for the full summit experience and deepen your connection to the ideas introduced during the morning keynote and panel discussion. After lunch, participants will engage in experiential sessions designed to bring the RISE framework to life.
Led by Wes, Tanager and community partners, the afternoon will offer opportunities to restore, reflect, and reconnect through activities such as restorative yoga, expressive arts, and a guided nature walk. These experiences invite participants to pause, care for their own wellbeing, and explore how the principles of RISE can be integrated into daily life.
The day will conclude with an interactive community session focused on translating RISE into practice. Together, we will reflect on the spirit of Sawubona — “I see you. You matter.” — and consider how showing up with presence, compassion, and intention can support one another to promote wellbeing
Whether you attend for the morning or spend the full day with us, this summit is an invitation to come together as a community to learn, reflect, and grow.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Camp Tanager, 1614 West Mount Vernon Road, Mount Vernon, United States
USD 10.00 to USD 25.00
