Forum to Address National Children’s Mental Health Crisis, Advancing Mental Health Parity in Georgia, and Caregiving and Mental Health
ATLANTA (May 12, 2022) — The Carter Center will convene its 26th Rosalynn Carter Georgia Mental Health Forum on May 18-19, 2022. This free virtual event explores pressing mental health issues in Georgia and the country. (See below for agenda and viewing information.)
“This forum takes place on the heels of a historic bipartisan bill to elevate access to mental health services in Georgia,” said Carter Center CEO Paige Alexander. “We’re excited to host key state and national government, health, and community leaders to maximize progress and keep up the momentum. Experts will also address recent data showing the alarming growth in mental health conditions in children, and the proven solutions that we know are available to support youth and families.”
On May 18, panels will focus on the urgent youth mental health crisis and data showing how the pandemic has affected young people’s mental health. The importance of including youth voices to understand the impact and participate in the solutions will also be discussed.
“Youth are in crisis,” said CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky, MD, MPH. “Our data shows that even before COVID-19 arrived, nearly 37% of high school students reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness and almost 20% considered suicide. These serious mental health concerns were further exacerbated due to the pandemic. We must act now to surround youth and families with the proper support to give them hope and reverse these trends.”
On May 19, the panelists will discuss Georgia’s parity progress and next steps and the impact of caregiving on mental health.
“Since the pandemic started, 83% of caregivers have reported an increase in stress related to caregiving,” said Dr. Jennifer Olsen, chief executive officer at the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregivers. “Because mental health and caregiving are inextricably linked, this forum provides an important opportunity to discuss how to best support caregivers of those with mental illness through policy, programs, and advocacy.”
See the official two-day agenda here and below.
Note: The Carter Center is a partner in the Mental Health Action Day and this forum is listed as an activation event that will take place on May 19. The Mental Health Action Day 2022 theme is “Connection” as people of all ages continue to seek coping mechanisms for the loneliness stemming from the pandemic. Find more information on this day and all activities here.
The Carter Center thanks forum sponsors Humana Healthy Horizons and Magellan Cares Foundation.
How to View and Participate:
More about the Center’s Mental Health Program is here, and a timeline of Rosalynn Carter’s 50 years of mental health advocacy is here.
Related Resource: download/print agenda »
Contact: In Atlanta, Rennie Sloan, rennie.sloan@cartercenter.org
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The Carter Center
Waging Peace. Fighting Disease. Building Hope.
A not-for-profit, nongovernmental organization, The Carter Center has helped to improve life for people in over 80 countries by resolving conflicts; advancing democracy, human rights, and economic opportunity; preventing diseases; and improving mental health care. The Carter Center was founded in 1982 by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, in partnership with Emory University, to advance peace and health worldwide.
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