Youth mental health in the U.S. is at a breaking point. In 2021, the Surgeon General issued a national advisory warning of a mental health crisis among young people, echoed by leading pediatric and psychiatric organizations declaring a state of emergency. Rising rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation demand urgent, coordinated action.
Since 2006, Grant Halliburton Foundation has answered that call—reaching more than 350,000 students, educators, parents, and professionals across North Texas through education, support, and life-saving resources.
We believe every young person deserves hope, and we will continue to provide high-quality programs and solutions based on best practices to help more families.
We can’t do this important work without the support of our dedicated volunteers, donors, funders, partners, and friends. Thank you for your continued trust in us to provide innovative, effective mental health and suicide prevention programming in our communities.
Kevin Hall President, Grant Halliburton Foundation
ABOUT GRANT HALLIBURTON FOUNDATION
Grant Halliburton Foundation was established in 2006 in memory of a Dallas teen who battled depression and bipolar disorder for several years before his suicide death at the age of 19.
The Foundation provides education, resources, and support for children, teen, and young adult mental health. Since its inception, the Foundation has provided mental health education and training to more than 350,000 students, educators, parents, and professionals.
The Foundation also offers help and support through HereForTexas.com and the Here For Texas Mental Health Navigation Line. Help is just a phone call away at 972-525-8181, Monday – Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. These free community tools provide easy access for North Texans seeking information and resources for mental health and addiction.
MISSION
Our mission is to strengthen the network of mental health resources for children, teens and young adults; promote better mental health; and help prevent suicide.
VISION
We envision a world where suicide is no longer a leading cause of death for young people and where everyone affected by mental illness has the support and resources they need to keep them resilient, healthy, and here.
The Power of Hope
“ ”
When my son went to treatment three years ago, a friend suggested I talk with Grant Halliburton Foundation. My life was changed from that point. I gathered my strength to become an advocate for myself, my son and other community members that struggle with depression.
HOPE
EXPANDING ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES
In 2024, Texas ranked last in access to mental health care. Fewer than 1 in 3 youth experiencing a major depressive episode received help (Mental Health America, 2024).
To bridge this gap, Here For Texas, a program of Grant Halliburton Foundation, provides two vital tools for North Texans seeking mental health and substance use resources: the Here For Texas Mental Health Navigation Line and HereForTexas.com. Together, they continue to serve as lifelines for the community.
We are actively exploring partnerships with other cities to scale this innovative model nationwide.
More than 800 families received personalized guidance through our free Here For Texas Mental Health Navigation Line in 2024— a 17% increase year-over-year.
15% of callers are Spanish-speaking, thanks to our commitment to bilingual accessibility.
We’re expanding beyond Texas:
In partnership with NAMI Charlotte, a localized version of our platform launched in June 2025, extending our reach to North Carolina and beyond.
REACHING MORE SCHOOLS THROUGH THRIVE
Thrive is a comprehensive strategy developed by Grant Halliburton Foundation to support mental, social, and emotional health in schools by infusing mental health into the academic culture.
At the heart of Thrive are four key pillars:
Thrive incorporates evidence-based best practices, forming integrated layers of programs targeted to three critical audiences: students, faculty/staff, and parents.
Programs are implemented through classroom education, extracurricular activities, peer-based programs, community-wide awareness campaigns, teacher/adult training, and social and emotional learning programming.
With this model, we’ve:
Grown our school partnerships from 119 to 170
Nearly doubled peer-to-peer support program schools, from 49 to 89
Increased student engagement through in-class programs for authentic connection and dialogue
REIMAGINING MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION
This year marked a powerful evolution in our education programming. Building Blocks of Mental Health—a growing suite of presentations developed over the past three years—continues to teach third- through 12th-grade students critical skills for understanding and managing their mental health. Our skilled presenters bring these topics to life in a way that is engaging, age-appropriate, and interactive for both youth and adults.
Whether in a classroom, workplace, community center, or virtual space, these presentations are designed to educate, empower, and spark meaningful conversations about mental health and suicide prevention.
These presentations equip young people with real-world coping tools and foster open conversations about mental health in a safe, engaging format.
Key topics include:
+ Managing Stress and Anxiety
+ Depression and Suicide Prevention
+ Road to Resilience
+ Setting Healthy Boundaries
+ The Teenage Brain: A Work in Progress
More than 350,000 students, parents, teachers, and professionals trained in mental health and suicide prevention since 2006
23,034 students and adults trained in 2024
59% of presentations made in Title I schools
170 partner schools
EMPOWERING YOUTH THROUGH PEER HELPERS PLUS
Launching in Fall 2025 in 30 schools and growing, Peer Helpers PLUS is our next-generation peer support initiative.
Peer Helpers PLUS is a comprehensive peer-to-peer suicide prevention and support program that empowers students with the character traits and life skills needed to make healthy choices, resolve conflicts, and build positive peer relationships.
When a young person is seeking help, validation, or guidance, they will likely reach out to their peers for support long before turning to an adult. The Peer Helpers PLUS program leverages its two components—prevention and support—to prepare and empower youth to advocate for one another.
This program gives students the tools to uplift one another—and build a culture of care from the inside out.
+ Based on 30+ years of research
+ Tailored by grade level (K-3, 4-6, 7-12)
+ Addresses bullying, substance use, suicide prevention, and leadership
Students are trained to:
Recognize distress in their peers
Provide support
Refer to trusted adults
Lead campus-wide prevention activities
STARTING YOUNG: THE EARLY RISERS PROGRAM
Highlights:
Launching in the 2025–26 school year
Lessons on emotions, empathy, problem-solving, and friendship
Delivered through stories, creative arts, and play
Supported by professional training, a 10-week curriculum rollout, and age-appropriate animated videos
Mental health challenges often begin early in life. In response to a 270% spike in local emergency room visits for children in mental health crisis, we developed Early Risers—a new curriculum for Pre-K to 3rd grade.
Early Risers helps equip teachers to introduce essential life skills through engaging, age-appropriate activities. Our goal is to help children build emotional resilience before crises arise.
Each unit focuses on a key area of development:
+ Discovering Emotions
+ Friendships and Connection
+ Empathy and Showing Kindness
+ Coping Skills
+ Problem Solving
YES YOU CAN! A SUMMER OF MENTAL WELLNESS
In a first-of-its-kind partnership, Grant Halliburton Foundation teamed up with YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas, UT Dallas Center for Brain Health, Momentous Institute, and Metrocare Services to launch YES YOU CAN!—a brain health and resilience pilot program at YMCA summer camps across North Texas.
We plan to expand the program in 2026 with YMCA and other youth organizations.
Serving nearly 600 campers, parents, and staff, this innovative program:
Teaches brain plasticity and mental flexibility
Delivers training for counselors and activities for kids
Provides family-focused resources in both virtual and in-person formats
BUILDING BRIDGES: HISPANIC OUTREACH
Hispanic youth face steep barriers to care. We’re working to change that by expanding Spanish-language services, including:
+ Full translation of HereForTexas.com
+ Full translation of mental health education presentations and materials
+ 50+ Spanish-language presentations reaching more than 2,000 people
+ Presence at more than 50 community events
+ Charlas con un Cafecito, a free peer support group offered in Spanish for moms and female caregivers, now in 6 locations and growing
Charlas con un Cafecito offers a chance to connect with others who truly understand. Participants share stories, exchange resources, and find encouragement in a judgmentfree environment. Many women come feeling overwhelmed, isolated, and unsure, and leave feeling seen, supported, and empowered with new tools and hope for the journey ahead.
At the core of our Hispanic outreach is the belief that no one should have to face mental health challenges alone. This work reflects our deep commitment to culturally responsive care—ensuring Hispanic individuals and families have access to mental health support that respects their language, values, and lived experiences. By meeting families where they are, we’re helping build stronger, more connected communities.
As one mom shared:
“ ”
This is very helpful, especially in the Hispanic community where we often don’t have the help and information we need.
TOGETHER, WE ARE SAVING LIVES
Every student reached, every family supported, and every conversation started is possible because of you—our partners, donors, volunteers, and champions of youth mental health.
Thank you for walking beside us as we continue building a future to keep our children and teens happy, healthy, and here.
