Recently Juandolyn Stokes and Executive Director of Mental Health America of Georgia, Abdul Henderson, discuss mental health and mental health care access in Georgia. Henderson shares with Stokes that mental health is the #1 priority of well-being.
Henderson tells Stokes that Georgia ranks 51st in mental health care access. He goes on to site that Dawson County, Georgia ranks 16th in the nation for the severe depression and 1st for death by suicide. Henderson says, "Georgia is in a bad place in mental health care."
Henderson continues with saying 9 hospitals in the state in mostly rural areas have closed and 3 emergency room departments have been downgraded. In the age of exploring mental health it seems Georgia is shrinking their resources instead of expanding them.
Henderson says there is a direct correlation between the criminal justice system and mental health. In fact, the Depart of Corrections is the largest provided of mental health services in the state of Georgia. This leads to a high recidivism rate because inmates receive care in prison but once they are released they no longer have access, and the cycle repeats. The issue is the same for those on juvenile justice.
Henderson shares it is important that everyone has access to mental health because without mental health, it affects your physical health. Children's access mental health care is equally stretched. Mental Health America has 7 pillars of healthcare: Early intervention, Prevention, Workforce Parity, Standards, Equity etc. Parity is the primary focus because it ensures insurance providers are doing what they are supposed to do.
Listen to the full interview below.
On Point with Juandolyn Stokes can be heard Mon - Fri from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Listen through News & Talk 1380-WAOK, V-103FM (HD3) www.WAOK.com or download the Audacy App from www.Audacy.com.
