Mental illness topic of town hall meeting

ALBANY — Experts say mental health challenges, including Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia, depression, senility and post-traumatic stress disorder, are often triggered by stressors from our everyday lives.

Additionally, virtually every family experiences some type of mental health challenge, although many deny that such challenges exist.

Babs Hall, the corporate compliance officer for Aspire, will talk about these issues and more at Saturday’s town hall meeting hosted by Ward I Albany City Commissioner Jon Howard. Hall will talk about the challenges that people with mental health issues face and signs of mental illnesses during the meeting, which starts at 10 a.m. at the 1721 East Oglethorpe Boulevard East Albany Community Center.

Dougherty Superior Court Judge Victoria Darrisaw, who deals with mental health cases frequently in court, has also confirmed that she will attend and speak at the meeting.

One of the benefits of Halls’ presentation, Howard said in a news release, is that she will provide “the tools to determine whether (attendees) have experienced symptoms of mental illness or know someone who is dealing with mental challenges.”

For additional information on Saturday’s meeting, contact the Albany city commissioner at (229) 436-1102.