Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities

Recovery is real! Don’t give up! See Sam’s story here about breaking the chains of addiction. https://youtu.be/K0XfEjAJFq8

To learn more, visit 988ga.org/ga-recovers #988

Sam - Breaking the Chains of Addiction

Did you know that just 30 minutes of exercise is known to release endorphins which reduce stress and improve mood? Consider going for a walk, jog, or doing yoga as part of your mental health regimen. For more info on caring for your mental health visit https://ow.ly/IMGs50TjwxW

ICYMI: DBHDD partnered with to launch the 2024 bus tour!! This statewide tour will feature 60+ stops/events, ensuring communities in each corner of the state know that 🎉

We were honored to host the launch close to our central office (across from the State Capitol) last week. Commissioner Tanner presented a proclamation on behalf of - and many amazing partners and Georgians living in recovery amplified the tour’s message of hope.

Don’t miss a chance to join at a local event near you. Check the link in our bio for a tour stop close to home. 😀

Today is the first annual and we are proud to keep this lifesaving resource on your mind!

WHY did we launch 988 in Georgia?

It is a free & confidential resource that saves lives each day.

988 goes beyond just giving you someone to talk to. 988 also connects people to real life resources, like mobile crisis response teams.

That means we can actually send clinicians to help you.

We also connect individuals to a safe place to go if they need it.

HOW can you help?

Let your community know how to help someone in need. Anyone can be a lifeline for someone in need by reaching out to the 988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline.

Visit www.988lifeline.org for more info!

🎉 Join Our Team! We are seeking a Developer to join our Atlanta office. This is an incredible opportunity to use your IT skills to support programs that help people across Georgia with mental health, substance use, and developmental disabilities. If you have experience in SQL, .NET, and Power Apps, we’d love to have you on board! Enjoy competitive benefits and be part of a team that truly makes a difference.

⏰ Deadline to Apply: September 19, 2024

💻 Interested? Learn more and apply today:

DBHDD Explore Careers at Team Georgia

📱The is here to support you. No matter what‘s on your mind or when you want to reach out. Connect with someone who is ready to listen and support you. Call or text 988 or chat at 988Lifeline.org.

We had the best time participating in the Northeastern Judicial Circuit's Mental Health Summit, which aims to transform resources for Hall and Dawson counties. DBHDD has partnerships with judicial circuits across our state, and we're making great strides to overcome mental and behavioral health barriers in our criminal justice system.

Sheree Ralston, Community Outreach Manager, provided updates on several initiatives to expand access to behavioral health services, such as creating the state's first stand-alone jail-based restoration center.

Thank you Superior Court Judge Lindsay Burton and State Court Judge Kelley Robertson for hosting this important event!

September is and a great time to focus on your health and wellness. Prioritize your needs for recovery— ✅ create healthy boundaries ✅ ask for help ✅ take breaks ✅ express gratitude Learn more: www.samhsa.gov/find-support/how-to-cope

In the fight to end overdose, no person is an island. August 31st is International Overdose Awareness Day and this year’s theme, urges us to come together to support those effected by overdose and provide resources to !

We're gearing up for the 2024 Bus Tour launch. JOIN US for a kick-off celebration on Wednesday, Sept. 4 at the State Capitol (Liberty Plaza). Sponsored by DBHDD, this tour will stop in more than 60 towns across the state, bringing a message of hope that "Recovery is Real."

Please join us in sharing this message with your family and friends - Visit this link to find a tour event near you: https://ow.ly/RUht50T8BHG

Please join us in welcoming Bill Slaughter to the Georgia Board of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities! Bill, a well-respected leader from Lowndes County, brings over a decade of experience and a deep commitment to his community. We look forward to the valuable insights he'll bring to our team as we continue to support behavioral health and developmental disabilities across Georgia. Learn more about Bill here: https://dbhdd.georgia.gov/press-releases/2024-08-27/new-dbhdd-board-member-appointed

Check out DBHDD's 17th Annual System of Care Academy (SOCA) Conference highlights reel: https://ow.ly/AyuU50T6wYH

The SOCA conference focused on educating participants on community safety and mental health first aid. Thanks to Dr. Adell Flowers and the outstanding planning committee for a great event! We hope to see you next year!

We are proud to support in Hall County. This community building event supports mental health efforts throughout the state by bringing together individuals with unique stories who share a common goal; to improve the lives for those living with mental illness.

Join us on Saturday, September 21, 2024 for the 2024 Teen Summit: "Hope Changes Everything" , at Wild Adventures Theme Park in Valdosta, GA featuring performances by Mae Estes and Chase McDaniel! Register at https://bit.ly/Teen-Summit

Fulton County’s first ever publicly-funded crisis center is getting ready to open to the public. Metro ATL residents experiencing a behavioral health crisis will receive individualized care - tailored to their needs. Families will also be able to bring in a loved one in if they need mental health support. Check out these photos of the new state-of-the-art facility.

We remain proud of Gateway’s leadership and example of crisis care for coastal Georgia. Be sure to follow Gateway Community Service Board so you don’t miss the good work they are doing for the Savannah area.

Gateway Community Service Board is proud to partner with the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) in our ongoing commitment to enhancing mental health services across our region. Together, we're making a real impact, ensuring our community has access to the critical care and support they need.

A special highlight goes to our Lakeside Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU), where our dedicated team works around the clock to provide immediate, compassionate care for young people in crisis. With the support of DBHDD, Lakeside CSU continues to be a beacon of hope and healing!

WATCH: A new documentary about the Certified Peer Specialist movement in Georgia airs TONIGHT!!!

Albany Market:
WALB (NBC): 08/13 at 7:30 PM, 08/17 at 8:30 AM
VALD (Cable): 08/13 at 7:30 PM

Atlanta Market:
AFN (CBS): 08/13 at 7:30 PM

Augusta Market:
WAGT (NBC): 08/13 at 7:30 PM

Next week the doc will air in Columbus on WTVM (ABC) - 08/21 at 7:00 PM

From Stigma to Strength - Trailer (Full) " From Stigma to Strength: Georgia & the Certified Peer Specialist Movement" This documentary showcases the powerful history of the birth of the Peer Support...

Commissioner Tanner and our team joined Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr’s State Opioid Task Force meeting at Columbus State University today. As Trustee of the Georgia Opioid Crisis Abatement Trust, Tanner detailed the ongoing work to steward the funds received by the State of Georgia toward recovery, treatment and prevention projects.

S/O to Taylor Peyton and Melissa Malcom who shared the Trust’s efforts to review its inaugural round of grant apps with the task force.

Thank you Governor Kemp, members of the General Assembly and Attorney General Carr for their support of this important work.

Special thanks to all the law enforcement officers, recovery advocates and other stakeholders who joined this lively discussion.

🚨 Exciting Update! 🚨 The Perry Police Department is now 100% trained in Mental Health First Aid as part of the "One Mind Campaign." This initiative ensures successful interactions between law enforcement and individuals with mental health conditions by uniting local communities, law enforcement agencies, and mental health organizations.

We are excited to invite you to the premiere screening of the new documentary “Stigma to Strength: Georgia & the Certified Peer Specialist Movement” on August 8 at The Carter Center. This event celebrates the remarkable journey of the Peer Support Movement in Georgia, sharing powerful stories of individuals who have overcome stigma and found strength through the Certified Peer Specialist Movement. Join us for an evening of inspiration and empowerment.

The premiere will kick off with opening remarks from DBHDD Commissioner Kevin Tanner and Eve Byrd, Director of the Carter’s Center Mental Health Program. Following the screening, guests will hear directly from individuals at the forefront of this movement.

Register (free) before the event sells out: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/from-stigma-to-strength-georgia-the-certified-peer-specialist-movement-tickets-952485799667.

From Stigma to Strength - Trailer (Full) " From Stigma to Strength: Georgia & the Certified Peer Specialist Movement" This documentary showcases the powerful history of the birth of the Peer Support...

👏This week, the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors honored Wendy Tiegreen, Director of the Office of Medicaid Services, at their annual conference!

is celebrating 25 years of Peer Supports as a Medicaid-billable service by honoring champions like Wendy who have been dedicated to advancing this program. Georgia has been a pioneer on this front, as it was the first state to adopt this service in a state plan.

Also in attendance were members of the team that make this program in Georgia so successful - Amy Brinkley and Justin Volpe!

👉CYF Specialist Rebecca Coursey and Case Expeditor Almas Shikari assisted Cherokee County DFCS with the provider's fair for case managers! The event allowed DBHDD to continue to develop a strong relationship with DFCS while also providing provider and #988 info for families.

STAFF SPOTLIGHT | Keeping operations running smoothly at Georgia Regional Hospital of Atlanta is Michael Jackson, Director of Engineering and Maintenance. With 23 years of serving DBHDD in various capacities, Michael has never shied away from taking on roles integral to our mission. His dedication and hard work allow DBHDD to serve Georgians safely, efficiently, and in the best way possible!

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Ellice Martin, our dedicated Vice Chair of the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) Board.
Vice Chair Martin’s commitment to mental health and community service was evident through her impactful service on the Board since 2013. She also served as a board member and chair of Unison Behavioral Health and the State President of the Georgia Association of Community Service Boards. Ellice was a respected member of Georgia’s education community and was often recognized for her expertise.

Ellice’s extensive background in education and leadership brought invaluable insight and passion to our board. Her deep belief in the power of community support and personal growth drove her work, and she always advocated for a stronger, more robust behavioral health care delivery system. Ellice’s legacy of dedication and compassion will continue to inspire us all. Our thoughts and prayers are with Ellice’s family and loved ones during this difficult time.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Jennifer Dunn was invited to be the opening speaker at the 34th Annual Conference of the Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network. The conference had over 200 attendees and we were excited to see so many familiar faces in the room.

Thank you for inviting DBHDD to participate this conference. Partnerships like these are valuable as we work to support mental health efforts in local communities. See you all again next year! 🤩

Last month, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Jennifer Dunn and Director of Federal Grants and Su***de Prevention Rachael Holloman presented on “Su***de Prevention in Rural Farming Communities” at the 57th Annual Make an Impact Conference, hosted by the American Association of Sociology.

Both Jennifer and Rachael are doing a phenomenal job of informing Farmers across the state and U.S. that it is okay to not be okay. 988 is a confidential line that ANYONE can use to speak to a licensed professional 24/7.

Thank you American Association of Sociology for inviting DBHDD to the conference to present our stance on breaking the stigma around mental health in the farming community.

On May 3rd, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Jennifer Dunn and Region 5 staff attended the Low Country Down Syndrome Society Annual Night of Champions event. We were so excited to see one of DBHDD’s Flame of Hope Recipient’s Ella Marchese.

Congratulations to everyone who received an award that night! You all are superstars!