The Helpline Center is thrilled to announce two special in-person events taking place on Thursday, November 6, 2025, in Sioux Falls, featuring acclaimed film and television actor and passionate mental health advocate Sean Astin. Many know Sean from his iconic roles in Rudy, The Goonies, The Lord of the Rings trilogy, and Stranger Things. Beyond the screen, Sean has become a powerful voice in the mental health space, and we are honored to welcome him to our community. During his visit, Sean will open up about his personal journey, including his experiences growing up with his mother, the late Patty Duke, who lived with bipolar disorder. His candid reflections offer a moving and insightful look at resilience, advocacy, and the importance of open conversations around mental health.

You’ll have two opportunities to see Sean in Sioux Falls on that day. The first will be a ticketed luncheon event at The Catlin Hotel (formerly known as the Hilton Garden Inn downtown), where Sean will share his story in an intimate setting over lunch. Gather your co-workers, networking groups, business colleagues or friends & family to join you in reserving a table of 8 for this special event (sorry, no individual ticket sales).

Later in the evening, he will speak at O’Gorman High School for a free event that's open to those of all ages. The heartfelt, down-to-earth and very genuine actor will remind us all of the power of advocacy as it relates to mental health. Both events are open to the public, and attendees will have the chance to meet Sean during a photo and autograph session following each presentation. His presence is sure to inspire, educate, and spark meaningful dialogue for all who attend either event.

These exciting events are part of the Helpline Center’s speaker series, which brings impactful voices to our region to foster awareness and support around mental health issues. This speaker series is made possible through the generous support of funds raised from The 437 Project.

We hope you’ll join us for this incredible day of connection, inspiration, and advocacy.

*If you or a guest require accessible/handicap seating, please contact us at marketing@helplinecenter.org to make a request."