Meet Blanca N. Garcia, LCSW-S – Grant Halliburton Foundation’s director of mental health resources.

Blanca’s leads the Foundation’s Here For Texas program. A licensed clinical social worker, she has worked with children, teens, and families for more than 10 years as a bilingual mental health clinician. Blanca understands that navigating mental health services is a challenge and was critical in implementing the Foundation’s Here For Texas Mental Health Navigation Line to increase access to mental health resources in North Texas.

Here are 10 things to know about Blanca!

1. What was your first job?
For my first job, I was a summer camp counselor at the YWCA in Oak Cliff. I was assigned to the fourth, fifth, and six grade campers and had to be creative with making up games and leading arts and crafts activities. Taking the kids on field trips was my favorite part of that job.

2. What’s your guilty pleasure?
One of my guilty pleasures is sneaking a late-night treat with my husband. We wait for the kids to go to bed and then like to eat cookies and milk or pastry. 

3. What advice would you give to your teenage self?
I was confident as a teen and focused on doing a variety of activities so that I could get into college. I’d give myself that same advice.

4. What’s your favorite movie scene and why?
I love the scene in The Proposal where Betty White’s character is chanting around the campfire to give thanks to Mother Earth and invites Sandra Bullock’s character to dance. She tells Sandra’s character to sing whatever comes to her heart. So, Sandra starts singing Get Low by Lil Jon and The East Side Boyz. It’s such a hilarious dance scene!

5. What’s one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
People may be surprised to know that Halloween is my favorite holiday. I love dressing up in costume with my family! Last year, we were crayons and went trick-or-treating when I was just nine days postpartum.

6. What would you name the autobiography of your life?
The name of my autobiography would be A Life In Between.

7. What do you enjoy doing when you’re not at work?
I really enjoy my one-on-one time with my husband, toddler, and baby. I like being together and really try to savor those times with each of them.

8. What are your top three TV shows you’re streaming right now?
I’m currently watching Only Murders in the Building, Bob’s Burgers, and Paw Patrol. Let’s be honest: most of the time my toddler is choosing what’s on TV.

9. Where’s your favorite travel destination and why?
My favorite travel destination is anywhere near a beach. There’s just something about the sound of waves crashing, digging my toes into the sand, and the smell of tanning oil. Visiting any place with a beach guarantees I’ll have at least a few hours of peace and relaxation.

10. Why is Grant Halliburton Foundation’s mission important to you?
As a mental health professional I’ve seen how helpful medications and therapy can be and I hate to see people suffering in silence. There’s such a stigma around mental health that keeps people from accessing care. The mission and work we do at Grant Halliburton Foundation helps encourage people to have those important conversations and take steps to address mental illness while learning ways to continue to build their mental health.