Terry Bentley Hill is a practicing attorney and mental health advocate. In September of 2020 she was certified in Mental Health First Aid through Mental Health of America, Greater Dallas. Her mission is to help relieve the social stigma of mental illness and promote the solutions available for treatment. Hill’s passion for her work stems from her own encounters with mental health issues and her goal of removing the stigmatism surrounding those issues.

 

In 1995 as the result of untreated alcoholism and depression, her former husband took his life and 9 years later her 14-year-old daughter also died of suicidal depression.

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“Studies show that the most effective treatment for depression is like a 3 legged stool; 1- medication 2-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy 3-Peer Support. That is the best way to deal with depression,” Hill said.

 

Hill’s personal story was compelling and provided all the credentials she needed to be an advocate for addressing mental health issues, with the hope of driving down the rising numbers of suicides. “Alcoholism and substance abuse is a family disease,” Hill said.

 

At the time of her daughter’s suicide, Hill was in law school at Texas Wesleyan University School of Law, where she earned her degree in 2008. Today, Hill practices criminal defense law in Dallas, Texas, is remarried, enjoys time with her family and dedicates much of her life to helping others dealing with mental health issues.

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