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The Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network believes in the ability of everyone living with mental health concerns to enjoy lives of purpose, meaning, productivity, and wellness. Since it was founded in 1991, this grassroots nonprofit organization has been led and run by mental health peers—people in mental health recovery. GMHCN has evolved into a statewide organization of over 100 employees engaged in advocacy, education, training, and peer support services for the people of Georgia. GMHCN is recognized as a national leader in the peer support movement. At its core, the basis of peer support—one person using their lived experience to support another—is not new; in fact, it is the basis of human growth and development. Mental health peers with special training are now able to use their lived recovery experience in clinical settings to provide something beyond a diagnosis or medication. We provide the evidence that we can and do recover from our mental health challenges. We provide skills, tools, and above all, hope.

Coronavirus Message Updated March 24, 2020

The Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network has long recognized how deeply connected our mental health and physical health are, and how important it is for each of us to be able to reach our personal wellness and recovery goals.

The management team at GMHCN has been working diligently to respond to the ongoing and rapidly-evolving Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in a way that protects public and personal health, while also providing the peer support that is critical to Georgia’s public behavioral health system, families, and communities.

With that in mind, GMHCN is adopting the following measures while following current guidelines from the CDC, the Georgia Department of Public Health, and the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities:

> Tucker Home Office To help safeguard the health of our employees, peers, and communities, the GMHCN home office in Tucker will be minimally staffed until at least April 1. Most of our employees will be working from home, so please consider emailing them directly.

> The Peer2Peer Warm Line will remain open 24/7/365, providing peer support over the phone. Support is available to all Georgians experiencing anxiety or stress, or who need support through the pandemic. Please call 888-945-1414 any time.

> Georgia’s Peer Support, Wellness, and Respite Centers will only be receiving respite (overnight) guests effective 3/18/2020. At this time, no daily participants will be allowed into the Centers--only overnight respite guests. Daily wellness activities are now online.

Roslind Hayes, the Statewide Coordinator for the Peer Support, Wellness, and Respite Centers expressed sadness over the decision to suspend in-person wellness activities for daily participants, saying “It breaks my heart to turn anyone away from the doors of our Centers. I know personally how impactful the people and the activities at the Centers can be. Unfortunately, we have no choice but to honor the health of our employees, peers, and neighbors until our public health officials tell us it is safe for us to welcome people back in. We know how unsettling all of this change and uncertainty can be, and that is why we are keeping the Peer2Peer Warm Line open 24/7. We know how much we all need support right now. And we are going to make sure that happens whenever and however we can.”

This change in PSWRC services will be in effect until at least April 30, 2020, at which time GMHCN leadership will review public health recommendations and make a determination about how to best serve Georgia’s communities moving forward.

>Thank You We appreciate your patience as we work with our employees, allies, and community partners to respond to the Coronavirus. We encourage you to stay connected, stay well, stay calm, and support your peers and neighbors when and how you are able.

Peer2Peer Warm Line

We all need someone to talk to who can understand us, and is willing to listen. Our Certified Peer Specialists, who work out of our Peer Support, Wellness, and Respite Centers, are available day and night to share in your successes, and support you if you're struggling. Learn More