Albany mayor announces recovery symposium

ALBANY — Albany Mayor Dorothy Hubbard welcomed volunteers and representatives of area mental health/recovery organizations to her office Thursday at a news conference during which the mayor threw her support behind the planned April 27 Transforming 2 Wellness Recovery Symposium.

That gathering, which is scheduled from noon to 5 p.m. at the 1905 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive Mt. Zion Baptist Church Family Center, will give participants a voice in assessing availability of resources in the area, according to Jere Brands, president of the Albany National Alliance on Mental Illness chapter.

“Government can’t do all the things that need to be done in a community,” Hubbard said. “I certainly can’t do the things that need to be done. But what we all can do is have people in the community do the things that they’re expert at and support their efforts. I certainly support you in this Transforming 2 Wellness Recovery Symposium.”

A consortium that includes Aspire, the SOWEGA Council on Aging, Phoebe Behavioral Health, Albany ARC, Georgia Department of Community Supervision, Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, GraceWay Recovery Residence for Women, Turning Point Hospital, Department of Juvenile Justice, Albany State University, NAMI Albany, NAMI Moultrie, Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network, Good Life Drumming Circle and other individual volunteers will be among the resource exhibitors at the symposium, which is part of a nationwide recovery initiative.

“We hope this is only the start, the kickoff for continued advocacy in the region,” Fonta High, a licensed clinician with Aspire, said. “Part of our outreach efforts will include law enforcement, the medical community and businesses. Part of what this symposium is about is bridging the gap to reach others.”

Tony Sanchez of Athens, who is himself in long-term recovery and has served as recovery community development program manager with the Georgia Council on Substance Abuse since 2014, will serve as moderator of the symposium. His is one of many stories of recovery from mental health and substance abuse challenges that will be shared at the event.

Volunteer/Aspire staff member Ryann Hancock thanked Hubbard Thursday for supporting the symposium.

“I was part of the problem myself for a long time,” Hancock said. “Now I’m part of the solution. I think it’s important that we help lift the stigma that stops people with mental and substance abuse challenges from seeking help. I know that’s what stood in my way for a long time. I want to personally thank you for taking a stand.”

Bertha McDonald, a retired RN, said as many as 500 are expected to take part in the symposium.

“We’re going to talk openly about mental illness and substance abuse challenges,” she said. “We encourage the community to come out and listen to people’s stories, to see what recovery looks like.”

Admission to the symposium is free, but prepregistration must be completed by April 20 to secure a free lunch. Preregistration may be completed online at www.eventbrite.com/e/transforming-2-wellness-tickets-24169847665. Those without online access may call (229) 329-1444 to preregister.