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MY STORY

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.

“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.

My Story

MY MISSION IN ACTION

Terry Bentley Hill on radio, tv and public forums working to make a difference in our community. If you would like to work with Ms Hill or have her for a speaking engagement please contact her through the contact section below. Thank you.

Videos
Handling Mental Health with Eating Disorders, Suicide, and Depression
33:21

Handling Mental Health with Eating Disorders, Suicide, and Depression

** Please note this chit chat recorded prior to George Floyd/BLM protests. ** A candid and insightful interview with Terry Bentley Hill on eating disorders, depression, suicide, substance ideation, and HOPE! A timely discussion in the midst of COVID-19 on mental health and the relevant book, By Their Side. A crisis management resource anyone can use, whether you are taking care of a loved one or you are in the midst of your own pain. Helping us navigate life one bond at a time. Please like, share, subscribe, comment if you enjoy the chat's. Want more life bonding? Gather your family, friends, neighbors, classmates, co-workers. Watch the video. Come together to discuss thought instigating questions that promote bonding, growth, and leveling up in your life. TOP TEN CHIT CHAT THOUGHT INSTIGATORS FOR GROUP BONDING: 1) How often do you share your story with others? 2) Do you see opportunity in the midst of difficulty? 3) What are some things that get in the way of healthy relationship building? 4) What are some of your coping mechanisms when you are faced with pain or hurt? 5) Are you aware of the signs to look for in you loved ones that are struggling? 6) Do you discount your discernment or use it to help? 7) Isolation is the number culprit to depression and suicide ideation. 8) Loneliness is an affliction that one person can cure by reaching out. 9)Do you focus on encouraging others in their strengths and loving through their weaknesses? 10)Have you wrestled with an eating disorder, depression, loneliness, anxiety? Please share. Please share additional thoughts and comments that promote bonding with your group. #NationalHonestyDay @bytheirsidebook #stopmindingyourownbusiness #courage #hope #depression #eatingdisorders #COVID-19 #CornonaVirus #DrMelanieRossMills #LifeBondsChitChat #LifeBonds melanierossmills.com   Instagram (@drmelaniermills @lifebondshchitchat) Twitter (@drmelaniermills @lifebondschat) Facebook
Speaking

Speaking Engagements

Awards

Media

2023

  • February 2 - TDCLA, Mental Health Presentation, Houston, TX

  • February 23 - Highland Park High School, Dallas, TX

  • April 10 - SMU Dedman School of Law, Dallas, TX

2022

  • March 23 - LosingGraceFindingHope, Documentary - Dallas, TX

  • April 8 - Criminal Appellate Bench Bar, Houston, TX

  • April 13 - Highland Park High School, Dallas, TX

  • April 14 - Amarillo Bar Association, Amarillo, TX

  • April 29 - TWLA, McKinney, TX

  • May 5 - Laura W. Bush Institue for Women's Health, Odessa, TX

  • May 18 - Harris Co. District Attorneys Office, Houston, TX

  • May 20 - Dallas Bar Association, Dallas, TX

  • July 19 - Advanced Criminal Law, Dallas, TX

  • August 18 - Advanced Civil Trial, Dallas, TX

  • September 1 - Jeff Crilley Television Show, Dallas, TX

  • September 9 - DBA Trial Skills CLE, Dallas, TX

  • September 22 - Suicide Prevention Month, KXAS Channel 5 Interview, Dallas, TX

  • September 30 - State Bar of Texas, Firearms CLE, Austin, TX

  • November 4 - Judicial Summit on Mental Health Conference, Grapevine, TX

​2021​​​​

  • February 1 - Dallas Assembly

  • February 12 - Texas Association of Defense Counsel - Ft. Worth, TX

  • March 1, 3 - Highland Park High School - Dallas, TX

  • March 17 - Baylor University School of Law - Waco, TX

  • March 26 - Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association - Dallas, TX

  • March 31 - SMU Law - Dallas, TX

  • April 9 - Center for American and International Law - Plano, TX

  • April 30 - 23rd Annual Permian Basin Oil & Gas Law Seminar - Midland, TX

  • May 8, 9 - TDCAA Elected Prosecutors Course - Austin, TX

  • October 28 - Advanced Civil Trial Seminar - Houston, TX

  • November 5 - Dallas Bar Association, Dallas, TX

  • November 10 - Texas A&M School of Law, Ft. Worth, TX

  • November 17 - VA Hospital, Dallas, TX

  • December 10 - TYLA, Austin, TX

2020

  • December 4 - State Bar of Texas Wellness Seminar, TYLA - Austin, TX

  • December 23 - Texas Lawyers Assistance Program - Austin, TX

  • November 19 - TCDLA Mental Health Seminar - Dallas, TX

  • November 18 - Jordan Elizabeth Harris Foundation Keynote Speaker - Ft. Worth, TX

  • November 8 - NCL, Turtle Creek - Dallas, TX

  • November 4 - Texas A&M University School of Law - Ft. Worth, TX

  • November 2 - CARE Dallas Breakfast Speaker - Dallas, TX

  • October 28 - Porter Hedges Law Firm - Dallas, TX

  • October 5 - ISN Software Corporation - Dallas, TX

  • September 27 - YMSL, Woodrow Wilson High School - Dallas, TX

  • September 10 - NAMI of Costal Bend - Corpus Christi, TX

  • September 8 - YMSL – Highland Park High School - Dallas, TX

  • July 30 - State Bar of Texas Advance Government Law Course - San Antonio, TX

  • July 30 - Northern District of Texas Wellness Webinar - Dallas, TX

  • July 22 - Texas Lawyers Assistance Program Wellness Webinar - Austin, TX

  • July 21 - M2 The Rock Radio Show - Dallas, TX

  • June 24 - Bell Nunnally & Martin Law Firm - Dallas, TX

  • May 27 - Texas Lawyers Assistance Program Wellness Webinar - Austin, TX

  • May 14 - Dallas Bar Association Attorney Wellness Webinar - Dallas, TX

  • April 21 - M2 The Rock Radio Show - Dallas, TX

  • April 15 - SMU Law Externship Program - Dallas, TX

  • March 25 - Texas Lawyers Assistance Program Wellness Webinar - Austin, TX

  • March 12 - Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Attorneys - National 

  • March 12 - M2 The Rock Radio Show - Dallas, TX

  • March 11 - Child and Family Guidance Center - Dallas, TX

  • February 17 - University of Houston School of Law - Houston, TX

  • February 3 - Jackson Walker Law Firm - Dallas, TX

PREVIOUS YEARS

October 2018

  • National Association of Bar Executives – Omaha, Neb.

  • 24 Hour Club, Chef Classic – Dallas

  • The Remedy Podcast with Tova Sido – 

  • M2 the Rock Radio Show – 1190 iHeart Radio

November 2018

  • Dallas Bar Association – Joanna Moore Outstanding Committee Chair – Peer Assistance Committee

  • Day of the Woman sponsored by the Laura W. Bush Institute for Women’s Health – Corpus Christi, TX

  • CARE Breakfast – Dallas

December 2018

  • M2 the Rock Radio Show

January 2019

  • M2 the Rock Radio Show

  • Thompson Knight Law Firm – Dallas

  • M2 the Rock Radio Show

March 2019

  • Dallas Bar Association – Peer Assistance Committee CLE – Dallas

  • Higginbotham Inns of Court – Dallas

  • UNT School of Law, Wellness Week – Dallas

  • M2 the Rock Radio Show

April 2019

  • Center for American and International Law CLE – Dallas

  • University of Texas Law Review – Austin, TX

  • Super Lawyers Magazine Feature Interview

  • SMU Law, Taking Care of You – Dallas

May 2019

  • DBA Small Firms/Solo CLE – Dallas

  • Solutions Outpatient Service Annual Banquet – Community Service Award – Dallas

  • KXDJ Radio Interview with Chris Samples – Perryton, TX

  • AT&T Presentation for company counsel – Dallas 

  • M2 the Rock Radio

June 2019

  • Border Prosecutors Annual Conference, CLE – Austin

  • Akerman Law, CLE – Dallas

  • M2 the Rock Radio

July 2019

  • M2 the Rock Radio

August 2019

  • Inspiring Women XI – Dallas

September 2019

  • Texas A & M Kingsville, Day of the Girl – Kingsville, TX

  • West Texas A & M, Day of the Girl – Canyon, TX

  • Dallas Young Lawyers Association (DYLA) Panelist – Dallas

  • M2 the Rock Radio

  • CARE Breakfast – Dallas

  • Association of Corporate Counsel (ACC) Panelist – Irving

  • Feature, Texas Bar Journal

October 2019

  • Executive Women of Midland – Midland, TX

  • Uptown Rotary Club – Dallas

  • MHA Greater Dallas Prisim Awards, Mental Health Advocate and Leader Award – Dallas

  • Survivors Ball Award Recipient – Dallas

  • Brazos County  Bar Association, CLE – College Station

  • Haynes and Boone Law, CLE – Dallas

November 2019

  • Bracewell Law, CLE – Houston

December 2019

  • Professional Development Institute, Presentation – Dallas

  • M2theRock Radio 

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