Rather, unfortunately, Georgia consistently ranks among the states with the lowest access to mental health care. About one-fifth of Georgians live with some form of mental illness. In a state with over 10 million people, this is some sad math. Nearly 2.5 million residents suffer. What’s worse is that those with serious mental illnesses have a one in five chance of ending up in prison as opposed to being hospitalized.
Fortunately, there’s help. No shortage of providers (or shortage of funds) should ever prevent you from getting the help you deserve. The following resources are free of charge, confidential, and available to all Georgia residents. Help yourself or someone you love today.
The National Mental Health Hotline
If you need to connect with a mental health specialist, call 1-866-903-3787 right now. A trained professional will take your call and assist you however she or he can. A world of resources is waiting for you. The hotline is available to all US residents and operates on a 24/7 basis.
Georgia Crisis & Access Line
The Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities offers a 24/7 hotline that can be reached at 1-800-715-4225. There is crisis assistance, emergency assistance (with transfer to 911 if necessary), and access to routine services statewide.
NAMI Helpline & More
The National Alliance on Mental Illness provides a wealth of resources, including the NAMI Helpline, which can be reached by calling 1-800-950-6264 or by emailing info@nami.org. Although the helpline is only available Monday through Friday from 10 AM until 8 PM EST, there is a 24/7 text line available. Simply text ‘NAMI’ to 741-741 for assistance.