In the past several years, mental health has become an increasingly prevalent topic nationwide, especially in our post-COVID-19 era. The Georgia National Alliance on Mental Illness found that one in five U.S. adults experience mental illness each year, including over 1.4 million adults in Georgia. For those who may be struggling, it can be an extra burden to seek the resources you need. In this article, we will highlight two Georgia-based GPB partners that provide accessible resources, support programs, community events, and more to help those with mental health conditions.

Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) provides treatment across the state for those with mental health challenges, substance use disorders, and intellectual and developmental disabilities. Their primary focus is providing accessible quality care, including those who are uninsured or on Medicaid. DBHDD offers comprehensive treatment, including assessment, therapy, community support, nursing services, etc. A couple examples include Community Support Teams and Supported Employment for adults and the Georgia Apex Program for students. Recently, DBHDD opened a center for people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) in Macon. To learn more about mental health in Georgia, watch the DBHDD and GPB original program, Georgia's Opioid Crisis Faith Based Communities.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI Georgia) is a grassroots organization that educates about mental illness and advocates for greater support systems for those with mental illness. For example, NAMI Georgia and GPB hosted Ending the Silence for Families, a presentation aimed toward teaching parents the warning signs and how to speak with their children about their concerns. NAMI Georgia is like a one-stop shop for local mental health resources. They provide tools like the Community Resource Finder, FaithNet (invites all religious organizations into mental health conversations), and workplace mental health trainings. For those looking to get involved, NAMI Georgia is hosting their annual NAMIWalks fundraising campaign this fall.

We hope that these resources are helpful for receiving the care and information you need to improve the care for yourself, a loved one, and our greater community.

This GPB post offers mental health resources and is not a crisis response website. If you are in crisis please call the Georgia Crisis & Access Line at (800) 715-4225.