When I was assigned this blog post, I was filled with uncertainty about an appropriate topic to write about. The state of the coronavirus seems to change by the hour, and who knows what the coming months will bring.

One of my ideas was to write about emerging heroes across our community. Then I realized that heroes are all around us, doing their part, large and small, to help us through this hard time. Choosing which heroes to write about would be difficult.

This past spring, our staff planned to embark on our annual two-day retreat in the Texas Hill Country, where we would work, play, bond, cook, hike, bike, and even bring our dogs. Every year we return home with a renewed sense of purpose for the work we do and the people we serve.

This year, we added a new twist. We asked each staff member to write a two- page bio, ultimately leading to how they came to find their place at Grant Halliburton Foundation. We called the project “This is Us.” The bios were all written weeks in advance, ready to share at the retreat.

I’ve learned that writing your own story is a powerful exercise in self- reflection. It is deep, personal, emotional, and sometimes painful. Getting started is the hardest part, but completing it brings a sense of inner accomplishment. And the best part is sharing your story with those close to you.

The retreat didn’t happen, but we sheltered at home and began sharing our stories anyway. Each day, one story was emailed to the team. Then, every Thursday during our virtual happy hour, we talked about those we had read and marveled at the honesty and openness of the authors. These stories bound us together more tightly than any campfire conversations could have.

As I wonder who the emerging heroes are, the answer is clear. Today, I celebrate the heroes of Grant Halliburton Foundation.

We are a team of 15 strong. We are men and women from all walks of life with a variety of talents, but with a common passion. When the world was flipped upside down, we quickly turned right-side up to address the growing mental health issues resulting from the current crisis.

We are working from home, harder than ever, to connect North Texans with the mental health resources they need. We are staying in contact with our school partners, managing the Here For Texas Mental Health Navigation Line remotely, and conducting Coffee Days meetings through virtual technology.

We do this because this is our ultimate purpose. I have read our team’s stories and I know this: While we each took a different path to get here, ultimately, we all landed in the same spot. Our stories are filled with happiness, sadness, traumatic experiences, and many defining moments. Above all else, our stories are filled with the positivity and inspiration that comes with embracing our shared purpose: to help young people who are struggling.

These are my heroes and they are more than worthy of the recognition.

I have no idea what the future holds. So much is simply out of our control. However, the one thing we can control is the mission of Grant Halliburton Foundation, and that will remain the same: To strengthen the network of mental health resources for children, teens and young adults; promote better mental health; and help prevent suicide.

Kevin Hall
President