Mental Wellness

Mental Wellness Resources

At the YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas, we are dedicated to strengthening the well-being of the whole person – spirit, mind and body. We recognize that life can bring challenges, and no one should have to navigate them alone. As a welcoming and trusted community organization, we are committed to connecting individuals and families with resources that support mental wellness, resilience, and hope.

Explore the national and local resources available to help you or your loved one through your mental well-being journey and learn about our mental wellness coalition, Project Thrive.

Project Thrive is a coalition consisting of five nonprofit organizations committed to addressing the mental wellbeing of youth and families across North Texas. The organizations a part of the coalition are:

Center for BrainHealth – part of The University of Texas at Dallas, advances brain health through cutting-edge cognitive neuroscience and practical brain training tools. Its initiatives support individuals and families across the lifespan, offering programs like the BrainHealth Index and SMART™ training. The Center’s Youth and Family Innovations empower caregivers with science-backed strategies—through workshops and digital platforms like Parenting Minds—to nurture children’s brain development, social connection, and resilience.

Grant Halliburton Foundation – Here for Texas provides a searchable database of Texas mental health providers and resources. It also offers a wide array of information on mental health and addiction topics, including mental health disorders, treatment options, types of mental health professionals, ways to support your mental health, and more.

Metrocare Services - provides a broad array of services to people with mental health challenges and developmental disabilities. In addition to behavioral health care, Metrocare provides primary care centers for adults and children, services for veterans and their families, accessible pharmacies, housing, and supportive social services.

Momentous Institute – strengthens children, families, and communities through innovative mental health services, education, and training. Founded by the Salesmanship Club of Dallas, it offers programs such as the Momentous School, Changemakers curriculum, nature-based experiences, and professional development. With a goal to impact 1 million children and families by 2031, Momentous promotes emotional well-being and long-term success for all.

YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas - is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The YMCA of Metropolitan Dallas serves thousands of men, women and children each year, regardless of age, income or background. Anchored in 18 North Texas communities, Dallas Y has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver lasting personal and social change. The Y ensures all people have access to the essentials needed to become thriving members of the community. Daily, the Y bridges and fills individual and community needs as a catalyst for impactful change. The YMCA makes accessible the support and opportunities that empower people and communities to learn, grow and thrive.

This coalition was formed in 2023 in response to the mental health crisis many youths in our communities are experiencing.

Group Photo featuring several members of Project Thrive

The YES YOU CAN! Initiative has completed its second year as a pilot program and was launched in June 2025 by Project Thrive, our mental wellness coalition. Designed to strengthen the mental wellness across the YMCA community, the initiative combines expert-led counselor training, camper mental wellness programming, family education, and both on-site professional on-site virtual support to children, teens, parents, and staff across select YMCA summer programs.

In 2025, the program served more than 600 campers, parents, and counselors. Through collaboration with mental health professionals and community partners from Project Thrive, the initiative enhanced existing training programs and added incorporated proven interventions into a unified framework, providing support and fostering resilience, well-being, and positive youth development.

The first results of the program reveal: 

92% of the time counselors reported that access to mental wellness content helped camper behavior
92% of teens reported that the counselors created an environment where they felt safe to express their feelings
89% of teens said they learned something useful about mental wellness
78% of teens said they try to use the practices they learned from experts about mental wellness.

This project is made possible by Project Thrive and partly through support from Lyda Hill Philanthropies, the Hersh Foundation/Ken Hersh and Regen Horchow, The Bette Rathjen Foundation for Emotional Health.

Grant Haliburton Foundation teaching teens about stress and anxiety during camp

Beyond the Game is a YMCA initiative designed to equip youth sports coaches, parents, and staff with practical tools to address emotional well-being of elementary children. Recognizing that sports provide powerful opportunities for both growth on and off the field, the program addresses key topics such as emotional regulation, anxiety, and behavioral Development.

Through a series of expert-informed training videos, Beyond the Game helps coaches, many of them who are volunteers, foster positive, inclusive and emotionally healthy team environments. The initiative provides accessible guidance, resources, and strategies that empower caring adults to recognize and respond to the mental and emotional needs of young athletes while fostering confidence, connection, and positive youth development.

Funded by Medical City Healthcare through the HCA Healthcare Foundation, the initiative was developed in partnership with Project Thrive, whose mental health experts served as subject-matter specialist in the creation of the program’s training content. Together, these partners help strengthen the capacity of coaches, families, and YMCA staff to support the mental wellness of children both in sports and beyond.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline - Suicide Hotline, 24-hour hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)

Texas 211, 2-1-1 is a free referral and information helpline that connects people to a wide range of health and human services (including Mental Health Services or mobile crisis team), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To contact in any state, including Texas, dial 2-1-1 from any phone.

Transicare:

Mobile Crisis Outpatient Team that provides face-to-face help to those who are at risk of harm to themselves or others.
Comprehensive Clinic and Community-Based Mental Health Services.
9304 Forest Ln, Ste 161n, Dallas, TX 75243
admin@transicareinc.com
214-342-5800

National Alliance on Mental Illness - Texas or National Alliance on Mental Illness, The National Alliance on Mental Illness is a nationwide advocacy group representing families and people affected by mental health disorders in the United States. The national organization is organized into state and local affiliates, of which NAMI-Texas is one. They also have a free mental health navigation line, 972-535-8181, to assist callers in their search for mental health providers and resources.

Open Path Collective is an affordable online counseling program.

Grant Halliburton Foundation – Here for Texas provides a searchable database of Texas mental health providers and resources. It also offers a wide array of information on mental health and addiction topics, including mental health disorders, treatment options, types of mental health professionals, ways to support your mental health, and more.

Metrocare Services - provides a broad array of services to people with mental health challenges and developmental disabilities. In addition to behavioral health care, Metrocare provides primary care centers for adults and children, services for veterans and their families, accessible pharmacies, housing, and supportive social services.

Denton County MHMR – provides adult, child & adolescent mental health services—24-hour Mental Crisis Hotline to address any mental health crisis situation, 1-800-762-0157.

Medical City Green Oaks - provides a full continuum of psychiatric services for residents in the North Texas community for the sole purpose of providing immediate access to psychiatric care for the community. Walk in day or night, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and be seen, in person, by a specially trained licensed mental health professional, along with psychiatrists, psychiatric nurses, and therapists.

How Trauma Affects The Brain - This resource explains the neurological impact of trauma, detailing how it alters brain structures like the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex. It emphasizes the importance of trauma-informed care in promoting healing and emotional regulation.

Depression Triggers And How To Overcome Them - This resource provides common triggers of depression, including stress, trauma, medical conditions, and lifestyle factors. It also offers guidance on recognizing these triggers and managing symptoms to support long-term mental health.