Summer is wrapping up, and many are prepping to get back in the swing of things with school, which is going to look very different this year. If the thought of going back to school fills you with dread and anxiety, you’re not alone. Our children (and adults) may be going through stronger emotions than normal or even mood disorders. We can better support ourselves and our loved ones by understanding more about what they are going through.
Supporting your child’s mental health as they return to school during COVID-19

The coronavirus outbreak has caused major disruptions to daily life and children are feeling these changes deeply. While the return to school will not only be welcoming but exciting for many students, others will may be feeling anxious or frightened. Here are tips to help your children navigate some of the complicated emotions they may be facing with going back to school.
Life can be stressful. If you or someone you know are struggling to cope, or the symptoms of the stress or anxiety won’t go away, it could affect your health. Learn more at www.nimh.nih.gov/stressandanxiety. #shareNIMH
Storytime with Frank and Lorie
MHA of GA is pleased to announce the release of a new program, Storytime with Frank and Lorie, a live puppetry story book reading for children. Twice a month, Frank and Lorie will be reading a selection of books based around mental health and wellness and will have a little discussion afterwards. The first performance will be on Aug 5th at 3pm, where they will be reading Sometimes I’m Bombaloo, by Rachel Vail and A Little Spot of Anger, by Diane Alber. At the time of the event, Click the link below to join the Zoom performance or use:

Meeting ID: 828 2630 9663
Passcode: 041201
Follow us on our social media pages or follow the hashtag #FrankandLorie to stay up-to-date with all subsequent readings.
Kids on the Block
Kids on the Block is back on! We are providing socially distant in-person performances as well as interactive online performances. If you are interested in scheduling a performance for your school or organization please contact Lorie Summers at lorie@mhageorgia.org or 770-741-1493.

Kids on the Block (KOTB) is an educational puppetry program that uses life-sized, multicultural puppets to promote mental wellness for children. The presentations are designed to help children understand their feelings and encourage communication of problems or stressors that affect them at home, school, and in other venues.
The Professional Series: An accredited series of courses for mental health professionals
Free Online Courses for the Community
Emotional and mental health is essential for student achievement, but many students and their families are struggling in this pandemic. This training will identify the challenges schools, students and families face when managing mental health needs.
Parents & caregivers face difficult decisions regarding their children returning to school. Through this training, we will explore that there isn’t a wrong decision when it comes to your family. Participants will learn effective ways to manage worry and support their family’s mental well-being. 
The Peach Forum: Women Empowering Women 
In honor of National Women’s Equality Day, MHA of Georgia will host a virtual mental health forum to reminds us of the hurdles overcame by the heroic women who faced violence and discrimination to propel the women’s movement forward. 
Mental Health Academy
The Mental Health Academy is a mental health awareness training program designed to increase mental health literacy and improve mental health outcomes for Georgians. We are currently offering courses online! If you are interested in hosting a training please contact Erin Clayton at MHAG@mhageorgia.org or
770-741-1489.
Meet our new Program Director
Maegan-Charjoi Pringle has recently been promoted and will become our new Program Director. Maegan graduated from Emory University – Rollins School of Public Health with her Master’s in Public Health in 2018 with a concentration in Behavioral Health and Health Education. She started her journey with Mental Health America of Georgia as an intern in 2016 and then hired on as Community Development Manager where she truly excelled, creating the Volunteer Support program, OWL Train the Trainer Program, and LEAP Pilot models, as well as becoming a QPR instructor. As Program Director, she will continue to harness her passion for mental health to further promote wellness for the state of Georgia through MHAG's current and future programs and initiatives.
Mental Health Spotlight
For more than 25 years, the Community Foundation for the CSRA has faithfully connected the philanthropic spirit of our community members with nonprofits and community initiatives throughout Richmond, Columbia, McDuffie and Burke counties in Georgia and Aiken and Edgefield counties in South Carolina. All of their work has been grounded in a collective desire to enhance the quality of life for all residents of the region.

From the very beginning of this pandemic, the Community Foundation for the CSRA has been deeply committed to serving the most vulnerable in our community. To date, more than $1.7 million has been donated to the CSRA COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund. The Community Foundation, along with their partners at the United Way, have distributed $1.4 million to nonprofits in the Aiken-Augusta area. Over 61,000 families have been helped with food, shelter, or financial assistance. 
Advocacy Activities
Georgia is facing steep revenue shortfalls that has not only impacted Georgia’s most vulnerable populations but has created a new pool of vulnerability with unemployment, precipitating evictions, schools closures compounded with increased isolation, anxiety, loss and grief across the State. We need advocates who are willing to speak up for those who have lost their voice through this pandemic. We need advocates who are focused on improving mental health outcomes. Please join our membership program so we can equip you with the information and tools you need to be comfortable engaging with lawmakers. Click the link below to become a Friend of MHAG and be the voice in your community to support mental well-being.
MH Advocacy 101
Friends of MHAG membership program will be hosting a free community training on mental health advocacy. Participants will explore talking points on common mental health policy issues, understand the legislative process and practice effective engagement with policy makers.
Clinical Trials Corner
In partnership with the National Institute of Mental Health, each month we will be highlighting mental health related clinical trials. We believe participating in clinical trials is very important as it progresses all of our knowledge on mental health. Please contribute to this noble cause. Participation is always free and sometimes even compensated.