Approved June 5, 2025 ID A&I 106

Veterans Mental Health Summit Registration

You're invited to join Dallas College for the 8th annual Veterans Mental Health Summit: The Courage Within: Rewriting the Narrative of Veteran Mental Health.
"Your story, Your strength. Your Summit."


The event will be on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026 from 9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. in person at our Mountain View Campus and streaming online.

Upon submitting your registration form, you will receive a confirmation email with a copy of your responses (and the join link if you are attending virtually).

For questions, email VetSummit@DallasCollege.edu. To learn more, visit the summit webpage






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Please note: Some workshops may be eligible for Professional Development and Continuing Education credit, pending final approval.

Please select each workshop for time, modality, and course description.
Dalia Blell, MSW, LCSW-S Walk-a-Thon “Miles for the Mind: Walking in Solidarity with Veterans”
  • Time: 10:15 am - 11:30 am
  • Modality: In-Person Only
  • Course Description: The Mindfulness Walk-a-Thon will have two components: Discussion and mindfulness walk meditation practice. The discussion will focus on the connection between mindfulness and emotional intelligence. Both involve self-awareness and noticing emotions in the present moment, for managing ourselves and our relationships with others. The mindfulness walk meditation practice will be in nature.
Martell Williams, M.Ed - You Don’t Have to Go It Alone: Guidance for your VA Disability Claim
  • Time: 10:15 am – 11:30 am
  • Modality: In-Person Only
  • Course Description: Navigating the VA disability claims process can be challenging, but this interactive workshop empowers veterans with practical knowledge to file and manage claims confidently. Led by U.S. Army veteran Martell Williams, the session covers essential steps, types of claims, appeals, and how to leverage support from Veterans Service Organizations (VSOs).
Andrea Davis, MA, ATR-BC, ATCS, LPC-S - Behind the Mask: Exploring Identity and Emotion through Art
  • Time: 10:15 am – 11:30 am
  • Modality: In-Person Only
  • Course Description: This experiential workshop invites veterans to engage in mask-making using markers and mixed media as a way to explore personal stories, emotions, and the parts of themselves often hidden beneath the surface. Mask-making is widely used by art therapists with veterans, offering a powerful avenue to externalize complex experiences and foster insight, connection, and resilience.
Kimberley Benson Toynes, PhD, LPC, LCDC - A Sober Fireside Chat with Veterans
  • Time: 10:15 am – 11:30 am
  • Modality: In-Person Only
  • Course Description: This informal, sober supportive group offers participants a unique opportunity to foster connection, healing and camaraderie in a warm, intimate setting. Veterans and participants come together to share their stories and experiences in an alcohol and drug-free environment that promotes recovery, sobriety, and accountability.
Domingo Rodriguez, BS, MHPS, USN (Retired) - Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (CALM)
  • Time: 10:15 am – 11:30 am
  • Modality: In-Person & Virtual
  • Course Description: CALM – Counseling on Access to Lethal Means – was developed to assist clinicians and others in approaching Lethal Means Counseling with an informed, collaborative and respectful attitude. It is explicitly anti-suicide and neither anti- or pro-gun nor anti- or pro-medication. Our purpose is to review public health data regarding suicide and access to lethal means. It highlights the importance of removing access to highly lethal means, discusses what means are most lethal, and describes how to have a culturally competent conversation regarding securing lethal means and firearms.
Film Screening: “Thank You for Your Service”
  • Time: 1:00 pm – 3:15 pm
  • Modality: In-Person Only
  • Course Description: This is a powerful film screening offering insight into the challenges faced by veterans returning from service.
Alexis Arevalo, PhD - Still Carrying the Battle: Understanding PTSD, Relationships, and the Strength to Seek Support
  • Time: 2:00 pm – 3:15 pm
  • Modality: In-Person Only
  • Course Description: This informal, sober supportive group offers participants a unique opportunity to foster connection, healing and camaraderie in a warm, intimate setting. Veterans and participants come together to share their stories and experiences in an alcohol and drug-free environment that promotes recovery, sobriety, and accountability.
Christopher Shelley - Still Serving, Still Growing: A Student Panel on Mental Health and Connection
  • Time: 2:00 pm – 3:15 pm
  • Modality: In-Person Only
  • Course Description: In this interactive session, a student moderator will lead a panel of military-connected students as they share personal experiences related to mental health, resilience, and the ongoing journey of seeking support. Panelists will reflect on how their military backgrounds have shaped their academic, personal, and emotional lives, offering insight into the unique challenges and strengths of student Veterans and dependents. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how support systems—on and off campus—can empower success, well-being, and connection for those still serving in new ways.
Margaret Grado - Trauma Sensitive Yoga: Resilient Bodies, Restored Minds
  • Time: 2:00 pm – 3:15 pm
  • Modality: In-Person Only
  • Course Description: This workshop is trauma-informed and focused on helping survivors engage with the present movement in a validating and encouraging atmosphere using safe movement. It will focus on using breathwork, mindfulness and physical poses to connect the breath, body, and mind to turn the attention inward.
Col. Johnny Spruiel - Family Support Workshop: Silent Ranks, Strong Voices
  • Time: 2:00 pm – 3:15 pm
  • Modality: In-Person
  • Course Description: This workshop explores the impact of military service and deployments on families, highlights available support systems for Active-Duty and Reserve members, and shares practical coping strategies to strengthen resilience and connection. Participants will also learn about counseling concepts and key resources to help military families navigate the challenges of service life.