Mental Health America of Greater Dallas is expanding its outreach to ensure that rural, East Texas residents have the resources they need to thrive and prioritize their mental well-being. Through a partnership with Mental Health America and West Fraser, a global wood products company, MHA Dallas is prioritizing mental health among young people living in rural areas in particular.
MHA Dallas recently welcomed more than 400 attendees from East Texas communities to the 49th annual Adolescent Symposium of Texas. The symposium, held at the Plano Convention Center, connected advocates with resources and continuing education opportunities, such as workshops on critical topics. The two-day event also included 70 exhibitors and sought-after speakers.
Texas native Saul Malek kicked off the symposium by sharing his powerful lived experience of struggling with and then overcoming a devastating gambling addiction. Saul’s inspirational story underscored the fact that recovery is possible, and help is available.
Symposium workshops tackled important issues such as: how to help teens who never asked for help in the first place; addressing burnout among providers who serve youth; and suicidality among youth, as well as other topics. The second day featured a powerful panel of high school students who shared their experiences discussing mental health with school counselors, teachers and administrators, in addition to parents.
Closing out the symposium was Drew Myers, a podcaster and life coach who urged attendees to ‘make the important things important.’
Throughout the event, Heidi the Owl—mascot of the We Help Ourselves (WHO) program—was in full costume greeting attendees. Since 1981, the WHO program has been focused on empowering children to stay safe and educating them on what to do and whom to tell in the event of a potentially dangerous situation. Thanks to the West Fraser grant, MHA Dallas is expanding the WHO program to rural communities in East Texas at no cost.
MHA Dallas already has plans to bring a version of its symposium on the road to Tyler, a city in eastern Texas, this November. Stay tuned to the MHA Dallas website for more information!
