Shirley Weddle, a graduate of Texas A&M-Commerce and Paris Jr College, is a community liaison and Mental/Brain Health and Suicide Prevention awareness advocate with over 35 years of health care experience in medical imaging and informatics. After she and her husband Brad lost their only child Matthew, age 22, to suicide in 2014, she began the search for the “why” of suicide and now collaborates with multiple organizations and individuals to promote brain/mental health, prevent suicide and support those that have lost someone to suicide.

Shirley is the Charter President and co-founder of the cause based Suicide Prevention and Brain Health Rotary eClub, ASIST, Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) and QPR Certified, Facilitator of a Survivors of Suicide Loss Grief Support Group, Mental Health America Greater Dallas Board Co-Chair, AFSP North Texas Chapter Volunteer and prior Research Connection chairperson, Rotary District 5810 Mental Health representative, State Legislative advocate, ambassador and volunteer for the UT Dallas Center for Brain Health and team member of the VA Mental Health Community Task Force, North Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church Mental Wellness Initiative Team and Suicide Prevention Advisory Council of North Texas Behavioral Health Authority.

Shirley strongly believes that a key starting point in improving our mental health and preventing suicide in the future is educating people that “mental health” is “brain health” which is “physical health.” Her dream is that through research, we will be able to utilize functional imaging techniques to better identify and understand brain health issues so that we can then treat and monitor improvements. She feels that her efforts provide a way to honor Matthew’s memory and allow him to continue to help others through her.

Rev. Jen Mitchell is head of staff at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Corsicana. She is a graduate of Austin College with degrees in Psychology and Religion. She is also a graduate Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond, VA with a Master of Divinity, and a Master of Christian Education. She is a certified Christian Educator in the PC(USA) and has worked in the church with children, youth, and adults for over 10 years.

Jen’s passions include teaching, preaching and pastoral care. Jen’s training includes completing 6 units of Clinical Pastoral Education in the hospital setting and being certified through Soul Shop which equips faith community leaders to minister to suicide impacts such as fear, shame, and stigma. Jen continues to explore ways in which she can better support people in their walk of grief and help prevent acts of suicide by equipping others with the necessary tools and safety plans for their overall health.

A second career pastor, the Reverend Dr. Lil Smith was ordained in the Presbyterian Church, USA in 2011. She recently completed her Doctor of Ministry at Perkins School of Theology defending the project, “Reclaiming the Role of Pastor as Spiritual Guide in the Reformed Tradition.” Lil earned a Master of Divinity with a Certificate in Pastoral Care at Perkins a Diploma in the Art of Spiritual Direction (DASD) at San Francisco Theological Seminary, and studied supervision with Together in the Mystery.

Lil is director and co-founder of Retreat House, a day retreat and spirituality center in Richardson, TX. As adjunct faculty, Lil facilitates the supervised practicum classes in the Perkins School of Theology Certification in Spiritual Direction. As a retreat leader, spiritual director and supervisor Lil shares with others her passion for the spiritual life. She is active with the life of the Richardson Interfaith Alliance and is on the advisory board of Compassionate DFW.

"God’s greatest desire for us is shalom: peace and wholeness. Therefore, we are pleasing God when we focus on all parts of our humanity, welcoming our weaknesses for God to transform and bless us. This brave, vulnerable work needs a caring, compassionate community. Our hope is to provide this space for the Mental Health Matters Cohort."