Students from Hope Squads at North Texas schools discuss peer support and mental health during a panel at the 2023 When Life Hands You Teenagers conference.
The teenage years are full of contradictions. A teen may want independence and reassurance at the same time. They may appear confident in one setting and overwhelmed in another. They may be eager to talk one day and difficult to reach the next.
For the adults who care about them, it can be hard to know what is part of typical adolescent development, what deserves closer attention, and how to respond when a young person is struggling.
Teen panelists share their perspectives during the 2023 When Life Hands You Teenagers conference.
Grant Halliburton Foundation’s annual When Life Hands You Teenagers conference is designed to help.
The one-day conference will take place Thursday, Sept. 10, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Plano Event Center. It is open to anyone who teaches, counsels, mentors, lives, or works with teens.
“Parents, educators and mental health professionals may see different parts of a young person’s life,” said Javetta L. Allen, M.Ed., director of mental health education at Grant Halliburton Foundation. “When adults share knowledge and practical strategies, they can create a stronger circle of support around that teen.”
Practical Insight for Supporting Teens
Through expert presentations and candid conversations, attendees will explore several timely issues affecting young people:
Amanda Gray, Ph.D., owner of Gray Area PLLC, will present “Why Is This So Hard? Understanding Executive Functioning, Neurodiversity and Mental Health.”
Erin Harper, Ph.D., population science program and project manager at UT Southwestern, will examine youth resilience through the lens of race and trauma in “Rooted and Resilient: Youth Mental Wellness and Thriving in Marginalized Communities.”
Drew Dutton, M.Ed., MBA, MAPP, LPC-S, LCDC, ACPS, CEO of Phoenix House Texas, will discuss adolescent brain development and strengths-based approaches to substance-use prevention and support in “Growing Strong Minds: Brain-Based Support in the Age of Addiction.”
Ahou Vaziri Line, Ph.D., founder of Parent Partnership Consulting, will explore the essential role of caregivers in “It Takes a Village: Partnering With Caregivers to Support Teen Mental Health.”
WATCH: Julián Kalel first auditioned for “American Idol” with “Surrender,” an original song about letting go of fear during his journey with anxiety.
Hear Julián share his music and story during a special TeenEd Talk at When Life Hands You Teenagers on Sept. 10.
The conference will also feature TeenEd Talks, including a panel with members of the Youth Advisory Board and a presentation and musical performance by singer-songwriter and mental health advocate Julián Kalel.
“Attendees should leave with more than information,” Allen said. “The goal is for them to feel more confident beginning difficult conversations, responding to what they see and helping a young person take the next step toward support.”
A Conference for Everyone Who Supports Teens
When Life Hands You Teenagers is not only for educators and mental health professionals. Parents, grandparents, mentors, coaches, faith leaders, and other adults who interact with teens can benefit from the information.
The conference offers an opportunity for parents and professionals to learn alongside one another. A strategy shared by a speaker may help a parent better understand behavior at home, give a teacher a different way to respond in the classroom, or help a counselor strengthen the network of support surrounding a student.
Attendees listen to a presentation at the 2024 When Life Hands You Teenagers conference.
Attendees can also connect with mental health organizations and explore community resources throughout the day. Registration includes a continental breakfast, boxed lunch, conference materials, and five continuing education credits for social workers, licensed professional counselors, and licensed marriage and family therapists.
The conference takes place during Grant Halliburton Foundation’s 20th anniversary year and National Suicide Prevention Month.
The Foundation was established in 2006 in memory of Grant Halliburton, a Dallas teen who lived with depression and bipolar disorder and died by suicide at age 19. Since then, the Foundation has reached more than 375,000 students, educators, parents, and professionals across North Texas through mental health education, suicide prevention training, resources, and support.
“The conference reflects a central belief that has guided the Foundation for two decades: Adults don’t have to possess every answer to make a difference in a young person’s life,” Allen said. “They do need reliable information, practical tools and the willingness to listen, learn and respond.”
Conference Details
When Life Hands You Teenagers
Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026
8 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
Plano Event Center
2000 E. Spring Creek Parkway
Plano, Texas
Individual registration is $85. Registration is $80 per person for groups of five or more.
Learn more and register at GrantHalliburton.org/WLHYT.
By T.J. Griffin
Vice President of Communications