Resilient Georgia

Join us April 18 for our General Meeting from 11a.m. to 12:30 p.m. ET, featuring guest speaker Dr. Deidre Grim, Executive Director, Forsyth Farmers' Market. Recognizing and learning about the many intersections of food, nutrition and mental health is crucial for resilience. By fostering a compassionate space that acknowledges the diverse and sometimes conflicting relationships people have with food, we can collectively work towards a resilient future that nourishes everyone. Visit our website and add the meeting link to your calendar!   https://bit.ly/4cyjmpF

To celebrate Children's Mental Health Week our Regional Program Director, Audrey Idaikkadar, visited a local preschool and read Saturday by Oge Mora, a book about a mother and daughter who cherish their Saturdays with each other. On this particular Saturday, their plans go awry but the mom and daughter breathe deeply and move on to their next set of activities. At the end of the day, the daughter shared with her mom that the most important part of the day was that they spent it all together. Audrey also led the group of preschoolers in practicing square breathing, a simple technique to help bring a sense of calm. #littlekidsbigfeelings #KidsMindsMatter #DECALCMHWeek2024

About half of all mental disorders appear by age 14, and three-quarters by age 24. When left untreated, these conditions can negatively affect lives and livelihoods. That’s why early diagnosis and intervention are critical for adding years to life and life to years for millions of children and adolescents. As part of the McKinsey & Company Health Institute’s (MHI’s) Conversations on Health series, Erica Coe and Kana Enomoto, co leaders at MHI, discussed this challenge and how to prioritize the mental health needs of children and adolescents with Zeinab Hijazi, PsyD, the global lead on mental health at UNICEF.

Access to supportive, dignified healthcare during pregnancy should be a basic right. Across the country, birth justice organizations are making this a reality. They center the voices of Black, Indigenous, and other birthing people of color to build networks, shift narrative to help others understand and address the root causes of maternal health inequities, spread solutions from the community, and build power to change failed systems and policies. Watch these two powerful short films showcasing the remarkable efforts of leaders in the fight for equitable Black maternal healthcare.

It’s Children’s Mental Health Week May 6-10! Check out these resources that help children develop social emotional skills, including professional  development opportunities from Resilient Georgia for early care and learning professionals! Check out all the amazing ways to celebrate Children’s Mental Health Week here: https://bit.ly/44rTGqW

This Campaign for Trauma-Informed Policy & Practice (CTIPP) toolkit provides educational concepts and practical strategies to support team members in advocating for more trauma-informed workplaces. Check out Trauma-Informed Workplaces: Concepts, Strategies, and Tactics to Build Workplaces that Support Well-Being to learn more. 

This year’s theme for Mental Health Month is “Where to Start: Mental Health in a Changing World.” In a world that is constantly evolving, it can be overwhelming to navigate the various challenges and changes happening around us. The pressures of work, relationships, and societal factors, like politics, climate change, and the economy, can significantly impact our mental well-being, sometimes even more than we realize. Mental Health America #wheretostart #mentalhealthmonth

Resilient Georgia and Center for Interrelational Science and Pediatrics (CISP) received a Bright From The Start: Georgia Dept of Early Care and Learning Community Transformation Grant to develop and launch an Infant and Early Childhood Professional Development Course and Guidebook. Check it out and experience a paradigm shift in how you support children's social and emotional development. https://lnkd.in/ecPRhmuH

Join the Georgia Partnership for Excellence in Education Tuesday, May 7, 9:30 a.m. to noon for our Critical Issues Forum, “The Power of Storytelling: Building the Future One Narrative at a Time." In partnership with the Alliance Theatre, this event will raise up how arts education and storytelling, from early learning through high school, play a significant role in students' academic development and life success. From enhancing literacy and reading scores to improving mental health and reducing violence, arts education is an important tool for preparing students for the future.

A WABE and ProPublica analysis found that in Georgia, parents’ housing instability can lengthen their children’s stay in foster care. According to the data collected between fiscal years 2018 and 2022, foster care cases associated with inadequate housing took longer to resolve than cases involving allegations of physical or sexual abuse.