KELLY WESSELMAN: NAMI walk raises mental illness awareness

EDITOR’SNOTE: This column by Kelly Wesselman originally ran in Sunday’s Albany Herald but was inadvertently cut off when placed on the page. As a result, much of it was not included in Sunday’s print edition of the newspaper. It is being rerun today (hopefully) in its entirety.

NAMI (National Alliance for Mental Illness) Albany is hosting a walk Oct. 9 titled “A Day of Hope.” This fundraiser highlights the COVID pandemic’s massive impact on mental health in our community.

Georgia ranks last in the nation for access to mental health care. Our state was not fully prepared to meet behavioral health needs of all its citizens before the coronavirus pandemic, especially in rural areas, according to Sherry Jenkins Tucker, executive director of Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network.

The mental health needs of children, health care workers and adults are staggering. COVID has taken an unthinkable toll on children. Returning to school doesn’t mean everything’s going to be OK. The pandemic has led to health care worker burnout and hospital staffing issues. Anxiety, depression and substance use disorder are on the rise in Georgia. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that in the 12-month period ending January 2021, more than 1,900 Georgians have died of drug-related causes.

This is what happens when Georgians experience mental health or addiction crises, according to a report by Georgia Public Broadcasting health care reporter Ellen Eldridge. While a proposed $7 million in new state funding to face the problem is good news, there are ways to avert a crisis.

Twenty-four hours a day, every day of the year, Georgians in crisis can call for help — not 911 for the police or fire officials, but the Georgia Crisis and Access Line for help in mental health and substance use disorders.

The Georgia Crisis and Access Line is 1-800-715-4225..

NAMI also has a crucial role to play. It is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization. The local chapter offers support and education for family members and people with mental health issues.

Just talking about mental health issues is a great advance. Support NAMI’s Walk This Way by joining a team or donating to NAMI. Your participation will raise awareness into positive action.