Youth Mental Health: Belonging and Hope in an Age of Loneliness

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Presented by McGrath Institute for Church Life

Monday, December 18, 2023 12:00 pm

In 2021, the US Surgeon General issued an advisory on the crisis of mental health among American youth. Rising rates of anxiety, depression, and other forms of mental illness among children and teens have left youth ministers, educators, and parents asking how best to support young people. Drawing on their respective experiences in pastoral and psychological care, our speakers will address how to understand youth mental health through a more integrated lens, engaging the wisdom of both faith and science. Our speakers will address practical questions of how youth ministers, Catholic school administrators and educators, and each one of us can draw on the resources of faith and science to support children and teens living with mental illness. Moderated by Beth Hlabse ’11, M.S., LMHCA, program director of the Fiat Program on Faith and Mental Health at the McGrath Institute for Church Life. Join us on Join us Monday, December 18, 2023.

Speakers:
Ryan Dainty, M.Div., Dean of Student Formation at Marian High School; Pat Millea, speaker, musician, and former parish youth minister; Kenna Millea, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist; Maribel Rodriguez Laguna, M.A., Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor.

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Meet the Moderator: Beth Hlabse '11, M.S., LMHCA

As program director for the Fiat Program on Faith and Mental Health at the McGrath Institute for Church Life, Beth Hlabse ’11 leads the Institute’s efforts to generate pastoral research, education, and formation opportunities on mental health and the Catholic tradition. A mental health counselor, Beth has provided therapeutic care for adolescents and adults with histories of trauma and adverse child experiences. Her therapeutic approach is integrative, attending to neural-developmental influences and the intersection of spirituality and psychology. Beth obtained her masters in clinical mental health counseling from Divine Mercy University. Prior to transitioning to counseling, Beth worked at the Kellogg Institute for International Studies at the University of Notre Dame. There, she shepherded the development of and managed several interdisciplinary programs that united theological and social science research. Beth is a Domer, having graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a BA in Theology and Peace Studies; she pursued postgraduate studies at the University of Oxford in Christian Ethics. Beth and her husband Pete treasure their community in South Bend, IN and delight in visits back to the great outdoors of Beth’s hometown in Wyoming.

Meet the Speaker: Ryan Dainty, M.Div.

Ryan Dainty is the Dean of Student Formation at Marian High School in Mishawaka, IN. He also organizes the Parent Speaker Series and moderates the Marian Student Council. Ryan ensures that all student services and interactions are in line with Gospel values and the mission and vision of Marian High School. While his responsibilities are many and diverse, his primary roles focus on overseeing Campus Ministry, Student Government, extracurricular activities, and student discipline.

Meet the Speaker: Kenna Millea'05, MA '07

Kenna Millea’05, MA ’07 together with her husband Pat, recently co-founded the Martin Center for Integration, an organization supporting the integration of mental health & faith. She and Pat co-host the podcast, This Whole Life. Through the Martin Center, Kenna offers therapy to individuals, couples and families who want a welcoming and accepting place to process what is happening within or among them.  From her clients, she learns how they see the world, how they understand themselves, what patterns create their interactions, and where they want to go from here.  Clients are empowered to determine their goals and create new perspectives on themselves and the world around them.  The hope is that, during sessions, clients will gain new skills and thought patterns for the benefit of the relationships that give their lives meaning.

Kenna is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MN #3598) and holds a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota.  She received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Notre Dame in Theology and Art History, as well as a Master of Arts in Theology, also from Notre Dame.  In the past decade, she has worked in churches with children, adults and families in cities including Indianapolis, Chicago and the Twin Cities.  The University of MN-Fairview offered her a hospital chaplaincy internship, during which she accompanied patients and families during some of their most challenging moments.  She is a certified PREPARE/ENRICH facilitator and is trained in psychological first aid.  She practices via tele-therapy in Minnesota.  Outside of the office, you can find Kenna eating sushi, reveling in a thrift-store find, or cheering on the Fighting Irish.  She resides in St. Paul with her husband and their seven hilarious and chatty children.

Meet the Speaker: Pat Millea '04, MA '06

Pat Millea ’04, MA ’06 together with his wife Kenna, recently co-founded the Martin Center for Integration, an organization supporting the integration of mental health & faith. He and Kenna co-host the podcast, This Whole Life. Pat is a life-long, wacky Catholic blessed with a vocation of ministry to youth and families. He is a speaker, a gifted musician and a faith-filled youth ministry leader. He has invited thousands of youth across the country to reflect on their relationship with God and take the next step in faith. Holding Bachelor and Master’s degrees in Theology from the University of Notre Dame, Pat has worked in youth ministry at Catholic parishes in Indiana and Minnesota, and is currently blessed to serve the youth and families of his home parish in the Twin Cities area of Minnesota. Countless youth and adults have been inspired by Pat’s presentations at events like Notre Dame Vision, the National Catholic Youth Conference, and various parish and diocesan retreats, conferences and rallies around the country. Pat currently prays and plays with his bride, Kenna, and their seven wonderful children in West St. Paul, MN.

Connect with Pat’s Youtube channel here.

Meet the Speaker: Maribel Rodriguez Laguna, MA, LPC-S

Maribel Rodriguez Laguna graduated from the University of Dallas with a B.A. in Psychology in 2004 and from University of North Texas with an M.A. in Counseling Psychology in 2007. Ms. Laguna is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor in Dallas, Texas, where she is the founder and owner of Cor Sacrum Counseling and Consulting. She is also the past board president of the Catholic Psychotherapy Association. Maribel has worked as a counselor in a variety of settings including the Dallas County Juvenile Detention Center, Genesis Women’s Shelter, and Dallas Independent School District Youth and Family Centers. She specializes in premarital preparation, marital counseling and vocational discernment, working closely with diocesan vocational leaders. Additionally, Maribel is a presenter at various Catholic conferences around the country and has been a guest on EWTN’s Cara a Cara.