Mental Health Day at the Capitol: Mental health is a fundamental right

ATLANTA — Mental health advocates from across Georgia gathered in Atlanta Wednesday for Mental Health Day at the Capitol. Each had individual concerns to discuss with their legislators, but they all shared the event’s theme: Now is the Time.

A sea of green T-shirts filled the halls under the Gold Dome. Not only did I get a nifty T-shirt, but I walked away with the inspiration of speaking to legislators about a cause that has given me courage to speak out and effect change.

Last week, Gov. Brian Kemp proposed a total Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities budget of $1.6 billion — the largest mental health budget ever in Georgia. Given creative solutions and proper management of these funds, Georgia could improve its rank as the third-worst state (up a notch from its 2022 ranking of second-worst state) in terms of access to mental health care.

It would be an amazing achievement to see Georgia rise out of the ranks of the five worst states in terms of access to mental health care. That will take collaboration among peers, legislators, family members, providers, churches, and other community services to achieve.

Basic statistics show the urgency for mental health reform. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), in Georgia alone 1,405,000 adults have a mental health condition. That’s more than twice the population of Atlanta. Of the 391,000 adults in Georgia who did not receive needed mental health care, 45.4% did not because of cost. More than 4 million Georgians live in a community that does not have enough mental health professionals.

The voice of mental health peers must be heard to make effective policy changes. Peers know what must be done because they have lived experiences that show what works and what doesn’t when it comes to mental health. It remains to be seen exactly what actions lawmakers will take in this legislative session.

Mental Health Day at the Capitol began at the historic Railroad Depot. DBHDD Commissioner Kevin Tanner said almost 3 million Georgians experience mental health problems in a given year and that the department he has led for more than a year is devoted to them and their recovery.

“Thank you for moving this conversation forward for our most vulnerable citizens,” Tanner said. “We can’t do this without collaboration. We have come a great way, and I’m here to work with you to finish this marathon we’re on.”

Tyler McKee, a peer advocate from Atlanta, also spoke at the Depot, and he described how his life went from a happy childhood to a dark place.

“Depression dragged the meaning of life out of me,” McKee said.

When he was 19, McKee started using drugs.

“I thought I was doomed to a doomed life and early death,” he said.

McKee said he began his recovery when his girlfriend died of a drug overdose and he realized he needed to make a change.

“I learned I didn’t have to feel the shame of my depression and drug use,” he said. “The ability to change lives inside ourselves. Be sure to show yourself love and compassion because real change takes time.”

Georgia advocacy groups are uniting to work with policymakers on mental health reform. Grassroots organizations like NAMI and Georgia Peer Policy Collective have arranged for members to meet at the Gold Dome for Mental Health Mondays during the legislative session.

People with mental health issues and their supporters, both family and friends, are educating themselves on techniques to become effective advocates. NAMI has a comprehensive advocacy training with a hefty manual, including sections on Telling Our Stories and Policymaking 101.

Three NAMI advocates from Albany — community activist A.J. Parker, Region 4 representative on DBHDD Advisory Council Debbie Richardson and myself, a Region 4 representative for GPPC — met with Sen. Freddie Powell Sims, D-Dawson, at the Capitol Wednesday. Sen. Sims made time for introductions, discussion of our individual concerns and even a photo shoot.

I told Sims about HB 913, a bill that would establish Emergency Psychiatric Assessment, Treatment, and Healing units across the state. The bill has not come to the House floor for a vote, but she penciled in the name of the bill on her desk calendar. She asked Richardson about her opinion on youth mental health, and listened to Parker describe the lack of adequate care and therapy for people with low income. The senator listened, and we felt the joy of being heard.

Mental Health Day at the Capitol’s mantra was “Now is the time for mental health.” The hope for the future remains mental health for all.