The second annual East Texas Behavioral Health Summit will be held on May 6 at the W.T. Brookshire Conference Center. (Contributed photo)

The second annual East Texas Behavioral Health Summit, hosted by Andrews Behavioral Health, will take place on Tuesday, May 6, at the W.T. Brookshire Conference Center in Tyler.

This free event is open to the public and features inspiring speakers sharing personal stories about overcoming mental health challenges and discussing ongoing efforts to improve mental healthcare in East Texas. Attendees will be able to connect with dozens of community organizations offering resources for mental health support.

“We are thrilled to host this important event, which shines a light on the challenges our community faces and celebrates real stories of resilience and recovery in mental healthcare,” said Lynn Rutland, CEO of Andrews Behavioral Health. “The summit reflects our commitment to bringing together individuals and organizations to work collaboratively on solutions to the complex issues posed by mental illness.”

While there is no cost to attend, registration is required at https://www.andrewscenter.com. The website also provides information on two workshops held in the morning, offering continuing education credits.

This year’s keynote speaker is Doug Smith, MSSW, a passionate advocate for mental health who has personally navigated the challenges of mental illness, substance use disorder, and incarceration. Through treatment and therapy, Smith transformed his life and now works to help others realize their potential.

Smith has served as a policy expert for the Texas House of Representatives and currently is Senior Policy Analyst for the Texas Center on Justice and Equity. He is also an Adjunct Professor of Social Policy at the University of Texas at Austin.

Another featured speaker is Josh Tomlin, a Whitehouse native on the roster of the Atlanta Braves when the team won the 2021 World Series. Tomlin will share leadership insights and his personal dedication to children’s mental health initiatives.

A resource fair will be held before and after the summit, providing guests with information about available services aimed at improving mental health in the region.

“Mental illness is a serious issue that impacts countless individuals and families. If you or someone you know has been affected, we encourage you to join us at the East Texas Behavioral Health Summit,” Rutland added.

Andrews Behavioral Health is one of 39 public community clinics across Texas, offering comprehensive services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, mental illness, veterans’ support needs, and substance use disorders. The organization serves Smith, Henderson, Rains, Van Zandt, and Wood counties, ensuring more than 10,000 people in these communities have access to critical mental healthcare services.

As the designated mental health authority for its five-county region, Andrews Behavioral Health facilitates collaboration and coordination among organizations and individuals to address mental healthcare challenges across East Texas.

2025 East Texas Behavioral Health Summit Itinerary

Morning Workshops

8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.: Mental Health First Aid

• Learn practical skills to assist those experiencing mental health challenges
• To register, email tknighton@andrewscenter.com
• Educational credits will be provided.

8:30 – 11:30 a.m.: Brighter Future Symposium (focus on children)

• Presented by Smith County Behavioral Health Leadership Team and Champions for Children.
• For registration information, visit https://bit.ly/42mkj0Y

Afternoon Highlights

Doors open at noon for the main Summit event, featuring a community resource show with even more vendors than last year. Also, food trucks will be onsite at lunch and early afternoon.

The main presentation begins at 2 p.m., featuring:

• Doug Smith, MSSW, ACC: Doug shares his powerful journey from battling mental illness and substance abuse—leading to time in prison—to becoming a treatment success story, consultant, and advisor to the State of Texas.
• Josh Tomlin: A Whitehouse native and former Atlanta Braves pitcher, Josh played a key role in their World Series win. He brings a unique perspective on children’s mental health.
• Andrews Leadership Updates: Lynn Rutland and Becki Mangum will share the latest news and developments at Andrews Behavioral Health. The main presentation concludes at 4 p.m., but the resource show continues until 5 p.m.

The main presentation concludes at 4 p.m., but the resource show continues until 5 p.m.