NAMI Georgia, (National Alliance on Mental Illness), has announced its “Celebrate You 40^th Anniversary Fundraiser”, Saturday, Aug. 13 at the Freight Depot from 5:30-9:30 p.m.  Tickets to the event are $40 per person, and include dinner, dancing and a silent auction.  Confirmed sponsors include Delta Air Lines, Georgia Public Broadcasting, Georgia Building Authority and Neurocrine Biosciences.  Tickets may be purchased at www.namiga.org/event/40th-anniversary-fundraiser.

“This annual fundraiser is a much-anticipated event where our members and supporters come together to celebrate advances in the treatment and understanding of mental illness, raise funds and have a wonderful time,” said Kim H. Jones, executive director of NAMI Georgia.  “I encourage everyone with an interest in improving mental health awareness and care to join us for a lovely evening that raises funds for the important work NAMI does throughout our state.”

On Oct. 15, NAMI Georgia will hold its annual NAMI Walks Kick-off, beginning at 10 a.m. at the Georgia State Capitol in downtown Atlanta.  Participants raise funds for NAMI Georgia by soliciting organizations and individuals to sponsor them in the Walk.  Individuals and teams are invited to sign up now at www.namiwalks.org/georgia.:  NAMI Walks Co-chair Rebecca Lindstrom of WXIA-TV 11Alive will kick-off the 2022 Walk. NAMI Georgia has much to celebrate this year.  NAMIGA recently worked to pass Georgia House Bill 1013, which is the largest mental health bill in the state’s history.  The bill passed unanimously in the state legislature, and was signed into law by Governor Brian Kemp earlier this year.  Among its provisions, the new bill requires insurance providers to cover mental healthcare the same way they cover physical health.  It establishes state grants for outpatient treatment, seeks to increase the number of mental health providers in Georgia and gives first responders help when they’re called to a situation where someone is experiencing a mental or behavioral health crisis.

“Prior to the passing of this bill, Mental Health America ranked Georgia 48^th when it comes to access to mental health care,” said Jones.  “Now, Georgia’s law will be up to code with Federal law, and our state will allocate millions of additional dollars towards mental health treatment and crisis services.”