Valentine's day is a time to send your love to all the important people in your life. However, in the midst of all this showering of love we forget about the most important person, ourselves. Self-care does not only help ourselves, but it helps everyone around us too. Feeling well cared-for leads to feelings of calm and relaxation, which in turn helps one tackle the usual stressors in life with grace and finesse. And yet there is a pervasive cultural pressure to keep pushing ourselves, to ignore the physical needs of our bodies and the emotional needs of our souls, which invariably leads to chronic stress, anxiety, and depression. Let's flip that culture around and promote self-love for yourself and others.
The Ultimate Valentine’s Day Self-Care Routine

Why should couples have all the fun on Valentine's Day? If you're single on V-Day, show yourself a little love with this simple self-care routine. It's complete with avocado toast, mindfulness reminders, podcasts to try, and tips for relaxation. You'll be feeling the (self) love in no time! Read it here .
MHA of GA is growing!
Please welcome one our newest team member, Eva Joseph. Mrs. Joseph will serve as our Program Director to manage our statewide mental health training program, the Mental Health Academy. She comes with a great deal of experience in building strategic partnerships & mobilizing cross-sector coalitions to tackle complex social problems. Mrs. Joseph holds a B.A in International Relations from Randolph College, an MPA from the College of Charleston and is a Certified Project Management Professional. She lives with her husband, Karl and their son.
The Leadership Empowerment and Access Program (LEAP) has officially enrolled it's first participant. LEAP is pilot youth development and leadership program. It's goal is to support young people (16-26 years of age) master the ability to analyze strengths and weaknesses, set and achieve personal and vocational goals through training, apprenticeships and volunteering. If you or someone you know is interested in participating, please contact Maegan-Charjoi Pringle at maegan@mhageorgia.org or visit www.mhageorgia.org/leap
Please welcome our Leadership Empowerment and Access Program Advisor Brian Joseph!

Brian Joseph, MPH graduated from the University of Georgia with his Master's in Public Health with a concentration in Policy and Management and obtained his BS in Psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University. He has worked for several years with at-risk-youth, people living in recovery, and within healthcare administration.His professional interests include mental health, substance abuse prevention, business start-ups, and empowering the next generation for success.
If you or someone you know has a passion for youth development, apply to become a LEAP volunteer. We are looking for professionals in the Metro-Atlanta area, from diverse backgrounds who are willing to provide opportunities for career development for LEAP participants. There are many ways in which you can help; you can provide informational interviews and job shadowings or facilitate workshops, just to name a few. Click on the link above to apply.
Mental Health Academy
Welcoming our newest group of Mental Health First Aiders through our 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. If you are interested in hosting a training please contact Erin Clayton at mhat@mhageorgia.org or 770-741-1489.
OWL Seminars explore different mental health topics including mental wellness, stress management, maternal mental health, building resilience in youth and much more. The flexibility of the program allows for groups to identify specific topics to learn, including suicide prevention, crisis support and trauma. If you are interested in hosting an OWL seminar, please visit our website here and c
Advocacy Center

Mental Health Day at the Capitol is February 7th

Each year the Behavioral Health Services Coalition, a group of advocates supporting behavioral health in Georgia, comes together to organize the Mental Health Day at the Capitol. Anyone whose life is impacted by mental health is welcome including: people in recovery, caregivers, families, political leaders, service providers, community support organizations, faith leaders, law enforcement, first responders and anyone else who wants to support behavioral health in their communities.

Join MHA of GA, NAMI GA, Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network, Georgia Parent Support Network and many more on February 7, 2020 at the Georgia Railroad Freight Depot for Mental Health Day at the Capitol! To become more involved inour advocacy efforts sign up here!
In the Community
Workplace Wellness Seminar
Atlanta's Department of Watershed Management
Executive Director, Jewell Gooding, presenting the Workplace Wellness seminar to the Atlanta Department of Watershed Management. Workplace Wellness goes over risk factors and wellness strategies, upon other topics.ar
Clinical Trials
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 knowledge on mental health. Please consider contributing to this noble cause. Participation is always voluntary, free and sometimes even compensated.

Click each trial to learn more:


Save the Date
Join us on Saturday, May 16, 2020 from 6:00pm-10:00pm, for our Annual Fight the Stigma Soiree: Old Hollywood  at the Porsche Experience Center for a buffet style dinner, dancing and so much more. This event will benefit the developement of a Puppet Prevention program , WISE (Wellness is for Everyone), to improve social emotional health for children.
Community Partner Spotlight
Georgia DECAL is looking for Early Education Family Ambassadors

DECAL is looking for fathers, mothers, foster parents or guardians of young children in childcare or early intervention to serve as a leaders in your community: providing families of young children with information about child development and resources they can use to support their children’s school readiness.

To apply to be a DECAL Early Education Family Ambassador, complete the attached application and email it to childdevelopment@decal.ga.gov by February 16, 2020. 

Ambassadors will be paid a $200 stipend for attending each training and event to cover travel expenses, childcare expenses, and their time.
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