Mental health advocates hope to build on the gains of last session

Former Georgia House Speaker David Ralston turns to his wife Sheree Ralston as the House votes for final passage of a sweeping mental health bill in March 2022. Ralston, who died in November 2022, spearheaded mental health reform in the state. (AP Photo/Jeff Amy)

A coalition of mental and behavioral health advocates petitioned lawmakers for the 32nd Annual Mental Health Day at the Capitol to raise awareness about mental health and to advocate for policies that improve the lives of people living with mental illness.

The group of over twenty advocacy organizations serving people affected by mental health has declared 2023 to be “The Year of the Peer.” This comes after the success of 2022, when the state legislature passed the unanimous, bipartisan Mental Health Parity Act.

Kim Jones is the executive director of the National Alliance for Mental Illness Georgia and Jeff Breedlove is chief of policy for the Georgia Council for Recovery. They spoke with WABE’s “All Things Considered” following the day at the capitol.