MONDAY MEMO #1
- Resilient Georgia
- Sep 8, 2024
- 6 min read
We are deeply saddened by the tragic school shooting in Barrow County at Apalachee High School. This devastating event highlights the urgent need for community action to address gun violence. We encourage everyone to explore the Surgeon General’s priorities on firearm violence, which outline a public health approach to prevention, available here, and ARCHI Collaborative’s article on tackling gun violence through community collaboration here. The American Academy of Pediatrics, Georgia Chapter has posted a press release in response to the shooting you can access here. In such a heart-wrenching tragedy too close to home, we are reminded yet again to come together in creating safer environments for our children and communities. Thank you for all your work to address and prevent violence in your communities and create better lives for Georgia children and families. Here is another weekly list of carefully curated resources and reminders, but first, here are some highlights from the RG Team:
RG Highlights
Cell Phone & Social Media
Newly created Cell Phone and Social Media resources designed to support teens and parents, caregivers and providers working with them.
Building a Resilient Georgia (Podcast) This podcast from Community Evaluation Solutions features our very own Emily Anne and Audrey. In the conversation, Dr. Ann Price leads a discussion of the transformative power of shared language in trauma care and the significance of building resilience through positive childhood experiences. Emily Anne and Audrey stress the importance of community partnerships, accessible resources, and the role of social connections and play in trauma work.
Workforce | Workforce (resilientga.org) new website, add workforce overview update doc as PDF
Regional Coalition Spotlights
Resilient Coastal Georgia’s partner, Gateway CSB is hosting their innovative Brake the Stigma Mental Health Awareness Car Show on Saturday, November 16th from 9– 11 AM at the Tanger Outlets in Pooler. The event will honor first responders and veterans, showcasing impressive vehicles, food trucks, raffles, and vendors, while promoting mental health advocacy.
The Vashti Center, lead for Resilient Communities of Southwest Georgia, is co-sponsoring the Shine On! Music and Arts Festival during National Recovery Month. This event is a family-friendly resource fair and festival on September 27th from 1-9 PM in Thomasville, GA. Organizations are invited to facilitate resource tables and are encouraged to bring their own table, chairs and activities for children. The event will feature live performances, free food, and various music and art festivities throughout the day. Organizations can sign up for a resource table here.
Suicide Prevention Month
This Suicide Prevention Month resource toolkit provides data, factsheets, 9-8-8 tools, and resources specific to youth, parents/caregivers, and educators and professionals. The bonus resource content includes access to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACP) Facts for Families webpages with information on suicide in children and teens, depression, teen brain development, bullying, and more.
In honor of National Suicide Prevention Month, SAMHSA’s Suicide Prevention Branch is hosting a fireside chat on Black youth suicide prevention, featuring speakers from SAMHSA, young adults with lived experience, and experts in suicide prevention among Black youth. Don’t miss the opportunity to gain valuable insights from experts and young people about addressing Black youth suicide and learn how to embed equity in suicide prevention efforts. This is a virtual event, September 25, 2024 at 2:00 PM, registration is required to receive the login details.
This Virtual Town Hall will explore how strategic partnerships and community-based solutions can help reduce rising suicide rates among Black/African Ancestry men and improve access to care. This includes the importance of spreading the word about 988 and building equity into crisis response services and support, along with other policy solutions to address this national public health crisis. Our presenters will share practical ways in which we can all make a positive difference in our communities. This virtual event will take place on September 26, 2024, at 3:00 PM, please register for login details.
This 6-hour live webinar ensures that participating learners can identify ways to improve the assessment of suicide risk and incorporate them into practice, discuss psychopharmacological, interventional, and psychotherapeutic approaches to treatment and safety planning, and outline special considerations to assessment and treatment including cultural and linguistic diversity, SUD and LGBTQ populations. CEUs are available for this training.
When: Wednesday, October 30, 2024, from 11:30 AM – 5:30 PM (EDT) - this is hosted from CA
Where: virtual
Registration: Free for live/On-Demand Learners, $60 for Credit Learners, click here to register.
This video resource is designed for parents/caregivers after a child has attempted suicide and was created by EDC’s Zero Suicide Institute and Parents to Parents. This non-profit offers resources to caregivers with a child struggling with mental health challenges. The resource was created to support caregivers with information on what they can expect in the days and weeks following the child’s suicide-related crisis, how to access effective treatment, the best strategies for supporting their child and family, validate the feelings that can arise from the crisis, and to connect caregivers with additional supportive resources.
Justice, Equity, Diversion, and Inclusion
AAPI Mental Health Webinar: "Introduction & Invitation to Healing": Join Catalyst Wellness Alliance for their Asian American Mental Health seminar Wed., September 18, 2024, at 9 PM. This introductory session will explore the formation of healing groups, their purpose, available resources and typical session formats. Registration is free. .
Understanding AAPI Mental Health Issues with Stan Sonu - Georgia Asian Times: Stan Sonu, a second-generation Korean American from Atlanta, Georgia, is an Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at Emory University School of Medicine. He also serves as the Medical Director for Child Advocacy at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. GAT recently sat down with Sonu for an exclusive discussion on mental health challenges affecting AAPIs.
Reshare our resource that was updated in June 2024: Resources/AAPI Mental Health | Resilient Georgia (resilientga.org) : visit our collection of resources to promote the resilience of Asian American Pacific Islanders through connection and advocacy.
Job Opportunities
The Carter Center: Sr. Program Associate, Public Policy - Mental Health Program in Atlanta: The Carter Center at Emory University is searching for a Senior Program Associate responsible for managing domestic behavioral health policy initiatives, activities of the Mental Health Program, and collaboration across programs within the Mental Health Program and other Carter Center programs. The position will be based in Atlanta under the direction of the Associate Director of Mental Health.
The Carter Center: Program Associate, Public Policy - Mental Health Program in Atlanta: The Carter Center at Emory University is also searching for a Program Associate responsible for research on the design of projects, implementing, and coordinating Mental Health Program activities and conferences/meetings, developing budgets and proposals, and managing grants, project materials, and information.
Professional Development & Events
Join the Georgia Staff Well-Being Community of Practice for both District & Community Leaders AND Teachers & School Staff to enhance resilience, reduce anxiety, and promote well-being in educational environments. Leaders' sessions are on the third Tuesday of each month from 12:30-1:30pm, starting September 17, and educators' sessions are on the first Tuesday of each month from 12:30-1:30pm, starting October 1. Connect with peers across Georgia to promote healthy stress responses and positive health outcomes. For details, contact Lila Givens at lila.givens@healthiergeneration.org. Registration info is linked above.
4th Annual School-Based Health Care State Conference – Hosted by the PARTNERS for Equity in Child and Adolescent Health & Emory University Department of Pediatrics, this daylong conference’s theme is “Every Child Succeeds: Utilizing SBHCs to Fulfill the Promise.” This in-person event is an excellent opportunity for professionals in the school health field to come together, share best practices, and learn from one another.
When: Friday, September 20, 2024, from 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Where: Emory Conference Center Hotel, 1615 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30307
Registration: fee of $150, get tickets
Parents & Youth
Connecting Conversations | CDC : This page of the CDC website for Adolescent School Health provides tips for supporting communication between parents/caregivers and their children and teens. It includes key concepts and conversation starters on mental health and statements that can be used to keep conversations going.
Parental Mental Health & Well-Being | HHS: The Advisory emphasizes the need for significant cultural changes to support sustainable parenting and enable parents and caregivers to thrive. It calls for valuing parenting on the same level as paid work, recognizing its vital role in society. The responsibility of raising children, while primarily on parents, should be a collective effort, benefiting all of society. The Advisory urges open discussions about the challenges of parenting, including financial stress, evolving technology, and mental health issues. It also highlights the importance of fostering community connections among parents to combat loneliness and isolation, which many parents experience.
Camp Lean on Me : Hospice of South Georgia is offering a free grief camp called "Lean on Me" for children ages 6 to 17 who have experienced the loss of a loved one. The camp provides a supportive environment where children can process their grief, connect with peers, and learn coping skills. This camp could be an invaluable resource for children and families in need, and sharing this opportunity with those who might benefit is encouraged.