MONDAY MEMO #26
- Resilient Georgia
- Apr 13
- 6 min read
Happy Monday, Partners! This week’s memo is packed with fresh resources and opportunities to support your work across Georgia. Whether you're looking for Children’s Mental Health resources, exploring Higher Education Wellness Programs, seeking Professional Development and Training in suicide prevention and intervention, or diving into Workforce and Young Adult Resources, there’s something here for everyone. Before we dive in, here are a few updates and reminders from the Resilient Georgia Team:
RG UPDATES
NEW BLOG: A Conversation with Gabrielle Stewart: Building Community Resilience and the Power of Purpose-Driven Work: In our newest blog post, Gabrielle Stewart, a dedicated leader committed to building stronger communities, shares insights into her purpose-driven work and the importance of fostering community resilience. Her approach emphasizes compassion and strategic action to address challenges and promote well-being within communities. We are so grateful for the time she has dedicated to Resilient Georgia coalition building, both at the regional level with BRRNWGA, and on our statewide RG team the last academic year while she completed her MSW internship requirements. Congratulations on your upcoming graduation, Gabby!
Regional Coalition Events Reminder: Thanks to everyone who has already submitted their scheduled coalition events for 2025! This calendar is housed on the RG website and is a great way to showcase upcoming trainings, summits, and partner activities across the state. As a reminder, please submit your coalition events here. We appreciate your support in keeping this webpage up-to-date!
April RG Office Hours: This Wednesday April 16th 4-5pm and Thursday April 17th 8-9am
As a reminder, we are cancelling April’s Coalition Update Calls to free up time in your schedule to attend the Virtual General Meeting on April 24th, so please feel free to utilize these optional touchpoints to connect with us for questions, concerns, or support!
April 2025 General Meeting Reminder: Join us on Thursday April 24th from 11AM–12:30 PM via Zoom! This meeting, Rooted in Resilience: Fostering Trauma-Informed Sectors & Systems, is open to the public and will spotlight five regional coalitions advancing trauma-informed practices across a variety of sectors. For more details, check out the Know Before You Go guide or visit our General Meeting Webpage.
Coalition Highlights
Resilient & United Communities of South Georgia: Following Hurricane Helene, the Greater Valdosta United Way has expanded its focus to include mental health support, recognizing the emotional toll on the community, especially among children and frontline workers. Their initiatives encompass providing trauma-informed care, conducting suicide prevention training, and collaborating with partners to enhance mental health resources and resilience in the region. Additionally, the Hurricane Healing Support Group meets in Valdosta at the McMullen Southside Library to provide a space for individuals and families impacted by natural disasters to connect and heal. Upcoming group sessions are scheduled for April 16, May 7, and May 21 from 12–2pm. In addition, GVUW is hosting Mental Health Day Lunch on the Lawn on May 16th, a community event focused on mental wellness and connection. Attendees are encouraged to sign up by May 9th to participate. Thank you for all of your efforts, RUCSG!
Resilient Southwest Georgia: Please join us in congratulating Shaunae Motley on her new role as Chief of Staff at Georgia Health Initiative, starting April 30th! A seasoned leader with over 20 years of experience in nonprofit management and health equity work across Georgia, Shaunae brings deep knowledge of both metro and rural communities. Most recently she served as President & CEO of United Way of Southwest Georgia and coalition lead for Resilient Southwest Georgia. In her new role, she’ll help strengthen operations, build partnerships, and advance statewide health equity efforts. Congrats, Shaunae!
Children's Mental Health
Children’s Mental Health Week: Georgia Department for Early Care and Learning (DECAL) is excited to celebrate the 5th annual Children’s Mental Health Week from May 5–9, 2025—a week dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of young children’s mental health and emotional wellbeing. Through daily themes like Mindful Monday and Feelings Friday, the week highlights the critical role of strong, nurturing relationships in early childhood and encourages fun, age-appropriate activities to build social and emotional skills. It’s also a time to recognize and honor the vital contributions of caregivers and early learning professionals in supporting children’s mental health.
Georgia Children's Mental Health Day at the Capitol 2025: Join Georgia Children's Mental Health Day at the Capitol on Thursday, May 8th from 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM at the Georgia Freight Depot in Atlanta. This free, family-friendly event will feature guest speakers, food, a sponsor room, fun giveaways, and opportunities to rally for children's mental health across the state. Attendees are encouraged to reserve their free ticket online to secure a spot.
2025 School Counselor Report- YouScience: This report examines the current state of school counseling in the U.S., highlighting key challenges faced by counselors, including high student caseloads, increased mental health demands, administrative burdens, and the need for personalized student guidance. The report offers actionable recommendations to address these issues, emphasizing the role of technology and policy changes in enhancing counseling effectiveness.
Higher Education
Support Dawgs Well-being Resources: UGA: Support Dawgs is a comprehensive, three-part training program at the University of Georgia (UGA) designed to equip students, faculty, and staff with the skills to recognize and respond to mental health and well-being concerns within the campus community. Upon completing all three trainings, participants earn the "Support Dawg" certification, signifying their preparedness to support peers and connect them with appropriate resources. The program aims to foster a campus-wide culture of care, emphasizing the collective role in promoting well-being. Certified individuals receive a decal to display, indicating their readiness to assist others and guide them to relevant support services.
Mindfulness and Neurodivergence
How to Practice Mindfulness with ADHD: Meditation for Adults Practicing mindfulness can be particularly beneficial for adults with ADHD, aiding in reducing anxiety, stress, and enhancing self-regulation skills. Mindfulness involves focusing attention on the present moment and observing one's thoughts, emotions, and bodily sensations without judgment. To incorporate mindfulness into daily life, individuals can start by acknowledging and labeling their current experiences, such as recognizing feelings of worry or physical tension. Techniques like deep breathing exercises serve as effective anchors to redirect attention away from anxious thoughts. Additionally, engaging in activities like walking, listening to music, or journaling can promote mindfulness. Regular practice of these methods can help manage ADHD symptoms and improve overall well-being.
Professional Development and Training
2025 Let's Connect Summit for Suicide Prevention & Awareness: The 2025 Summit for Suicide Prevention & Awareness is scheduled for June 9–11, 2025, at the Savannah Convention Center. This three-day event offers attendees up to 30 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) through expert-led training sessions, breakout discussions, and networking opportunities. The summit aims to unite veterans, mental health professionals, suicide prevention advocates, and community leaders to share strategies and tools for effective suicide prevention. For more information and to secure your ticket, visit the official summit website.
988 Georgia Training: Free, on-demand training modules for anyone looking to strengthen their skills in mental health support, crisis intervention, and responsible reporting. By registering, users gain anytime access to expert-led courses, with opportunities to earn certifications at their own pace. These training modules are designed to help individuals better understand the 988 crisis line and how to support those in crisis. Check it out and share widely!
Workforce
Creating trauma-informed workplaces is essential for fostering employee well-being, resilience, and productivity. Harvard Business Review’s "We Need Trauma-Informed Workplaces" highlights how organizations can recognize and address trauma to build healthier work environments. The Trauma-Informed Toolkit for Workplaces provides actionable strategies for implementing trauma-informed policies and culture. Additionally, "How to Measure Burnout Accurately and Ethically" (HBR) explores ethical approaches to assessing burnout, emphasizing tools like the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). These resources offer valuable insights into supporting employees and creating workplaces that prioritize mental health and well-being.
Youth and Young Adults
Georgia Public Defense Foundation Ladders Program: The Ladders Program, offered by the Georgia Public Defense Foundation, is a comprehensive initiative designed to support individuals aged 16 to 24 who are navigating challenges related to the criminal justice system. The program provides a holistic support system that includes case management, GED preparation, vocational training, and access to essential resources. Its goal is to empower participants to achieve sustainable employment, self-sufficiency, and positive reintegration into the community. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and interested individuals can apply through the program's website. Please share with those who may benefit!