The RESPECT Institute of Georgia is a program that is designed to facilitate the sharing of our unique stories of behavioral health recovery to a broad range of audiences throughout Georgia’s communities. Georgia's Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities funds the RESPECT Institute, and has contracted with the Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network, Mental Health America of Georgia, and Slack Consulting to implement the program. There are 24 RESPECT Institute trainings and 420 speaking engagements provided at no cost to communities throughout the state each year.
A RESPECT Institute is a 3 1/2 day program designed to provide 10 Individuals the skills and coaching necessary to transform their behavioral health challenges, treatment, and recovery experiences into educational and inspirational presentations. The RESPECT Institute helps participants organize, construct, and customize their personal stories so they can be delivered in diverse venues, like legislative meetings, employee orientations, university classrooms, civic meetings, and continuing education programs. Following graduation, the Respect Institute of Georgia Outreach Team facilitates speaking engagements for the graduates to tell their stories.
The RESPECT Institute empowers consumers by acknowledging, honoring, and valuing their personal experiences and insights. Through this recognition and acceptance, Individuals reclaim their sense of self and join a community of Individuals educating their community and eliminating stigma. By learning to share their stories, RESPECT Institute of Georgia graduates are empowered. They give back to their communities by sharing hope with fellow citizens and families who face similar challenges.
To date, the RESPECT Institute of Georgia team conducted over 125 RESPECT Institute of Georgia trainings statewide and graduated over 1,000 individuals who shared their stories to over 100,000 Georgians.
For more information about hosting or participating in a RESPECT Institute of Georgia training please contact:
Jen Banathy, CPS-MH, CPS-AD, WHWC
RESPECT Institute of Georgia Organizational Development Coordinator
Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network
1990 Lakeside Parkway, Suite 100
Tucker, Georgia 30084
Phone 404-687-9487
If you would like to invite a RESPECT Institute Graduate to share their story at your meeting or special event, please contact:
Toyia Mather, CPS-MH
RESPECT Institute of Georgia Outreach Coordinator
Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network
1990 Lakeside Parkway, Suite 100
Tucker, Georgia 30084
Phone 404-687-9487
If you would like to participate in a RESPECT Institute training, please contact:
Erin P. Thomas, CPS-MH
RESPECT Institute of Georgia Training Coordinator
Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network
1990 Lakeside Parkway, Suite 100
Tucker, Georgia 30084
Phone 404-687-9487
To download the RESPECT Institute brochure, please visit our Forms page.
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