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respect institute
of Georgia
The RESPECT Institute of Georgia
The RESPECT Institute of Georgia (RI), created by mental health advocate Joel Slack, supports participants in developing the skills necessary to transform their experiences of mental health and substance use challenges and cross-disabilities into educational and inspirational presentations. The RESPECT Institute of Georgia supports participants in organizing, constructing and customizing their personal stories of recovery and independent living so they can share their stories in diverse venues such as management meetings, legislative meetings, employee orientations, university classrooms, civic meetings, and continuing education programs.
The RESPECT Institute of Georgia is a 3 ½ day virtual or in-person training program that empowers participants by acknowledging, honoring and valuing their personal experiences and insights. Through this recognition and acceptance, participants heal, reclaim their sense of self and are catapulted into a level of recovery they never thought was possible. They own their lived experiences without shame or embarrassment and become instrumental in eliminating stigma in the general public, in advancing the message of recovery and in educating the next generation of behavioral health professionals. Through a partnership with Slack Consulting and the Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network, the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities sponsors multiple trainings and speaking engagements annually. To date, the RESPECT Institute of Georgia team has conducted over 250 RESPECT Institute of Georgia trainings statewide and graduated over 2,200 individuals who shared their stories to over 200,000 Georgians.
For more information about participating in or hosting a RESPECT Institute of Georgia training, or inviting a RESPECT Institute of Georgia graduate to speak, please contact the RESPECT Institute Team:
RESPECT Institute of Georgia
Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network
1990 Lakeside Parkway, Suite 100
Tucker, GA 30084
Phone: 404-687-9487
Email: ri@gmhcn.org
Frequently Asked Questions:
How do I view the RESPECT Institute informational video?
To view our ten-minute informational video, please click on the link below:
Who is eligible to participate in a RESPECT Institute training?
To be eligible to participate in a RESPECT Institute training, you must identify as a person living with a mental health challenge, substance misuse, or a cross-disability and want to learn how to tell your story of actively pursuing recovery or independent living.
Do you have to live in Georgia to participate in a RESPECT Institute training?
Yes
Do you have to be a Certified Peer Specialist to participate in a RESPECT Institute training?
No
Is there a cost or fee to participate in a RESPECT Institute training?
There is no cost or fee to participate in a RESPECT Institute training. The RESPECT Institute is funded by the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities.
Are RESPECT Institute trainings conducted virtually or in-person?
Most RESPECT Institute trainings are conducted virtually. We offer in-person trainings less frequently.
How long does a RESPECT Institute training last?
RESPECT Institute trainings are 3.5 days long (Tuesday-Friday). We meet from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday. We conclude each training with a graduation ceremony and reception on Friday starting at 10:00 a.m. and ending at approximately noon.
How do I sign up to participate in a RESPECT Institute training?
Currently, our training waitlist has reached capacity, and we are unable to add more peers.
If you haven’t already, we encourage you to sign up for the Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network (GMHCN) e-newsletter. When space becomes available and we reopen the RESPECT Institute waitlist, we’ll announce it through the newsletter:
While our waitlist is currently closed, we continue to collaborate with organizations that host virtual and in-person RESPECT Institute trainings. Host organizations select peers to participate in these trainings.
Will I earn Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for completing the RESPECT Institute training?
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The Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network (GMHCN) issues 18 CEUs to CPS-MHs who complete a virtual or in-person RESPECT Institute training.
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CPS-ADs, CPS-Ps and CPS-Ys are also eligible to receive 18 CEUs for completing a virtual or in-person RESPECT Institute training. However, GMHCN cannot confirm if they will be able to use these CEUs toward their yearly CEU requirements.
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It is necessary for CPS-ADs, CPS-Ps and CPS-Ys to contact their governing organization prior to participating in a RESPECT Institute training to determine if they can use CEUs earned by completing the RESPECT Institute training toward their yearly CEU requirement.
For more information on the RESPECT Institute, please email ri@gmhcn.org