Popular Searches
December 11, 2024 | Hannah Buchanan
The third annual Mental Health Matters Conference held at UT Tyler brought together more than 100 professionals to focus on the needs of East Texas youth. Learn more from a segment by co-organizer, Dr. Jessica Holm.
Empowering Youth Mental Health: 2024 MHM Conference Highlights
By Dr. Jessica Holm, UT Tyler Associate Professor
The third annual Mental Health Matters Conference held on Nov. 18 at UT Tyler brought
together over 110 educators, counselors and mental health professionals to explore
strategies for supporting students’ well-being.
With the theme “Bridging Hope: Empowering Youth Mental Health,” the event emphasized collaboration and actionable solutions. The conference began with an inspiring keynote from Dr. Jason Branch, “Caring for Yourself is Caring for Our Students: A Balanced Approach to School Mental Health.”
Dr. Branch highlighted the importance of self-care for educators, emphasizing its role in creating positive, supportive environments for students. His message resonated deeply with attendees, many of whom balance the challenges of supporting students and managing their own mental health.
Breakout sessions offered attendees valuable insights, including presentations by numerous UT Tyler faculty. Within these, Dr. Staci Zolkoski’s presentation, “Fostering a Positive Learning Environment for All Students,” focused on creating inclusive classrooms, and Dr. Ross Spears’ “Neuro-Informed Understanding” addressed fostering resilience in students.
A key highlight was the poster presentation session, where counseling graduate students funded by a $1.9 million Department of Education grant showcased innovative projects from internships in high-needs schools. These efforts demonstrated how research informs impactful practice, inspiring attendees with real-world applications for supporting youth mental health.
The conference also honored Beth Hines, principal of Arp Elementary, as the 2024 Mental
Health Champion. Dr. Yanira Oliveras recognized Hines for her leadership in transforming
Arp Elementary into a model for mental health advocacy. Through initiatives like sensory
rooms and teletherapy services, Hines has significantly improved students’ emotional
regulation and expanded family support.
The MHM Conference continues to grow as a leading event for mental health advocacy in East Texas, equipping professionals with tools, fresh perspectives, and a shared commitment to empower students and foster lasting change. Its impact extends beyond the conference, equipping attendees to return to their communities with hope and actionable solutions.
For questions about future conference opportunities, please reach out to mhm@uttyler.edu or Dr. Jessica Holm, associate professor of clinical mental health counseling, jholm@uttyler.edu.