Press Release - January 31, 2023 - The Year of the Peer
On January 31, 2023, Mental Health Day was celebrated at the capital. A press release was sent out to announce the collaboration of various entities around the state who joined together for the shared theme of 2023 The Year of the Peer. GARR was part of the press release and is proud to be a part of the Awareness Movement in the state of Georgia.
Tuesday 31 January, 2023
Atlanta, GA - 2023 was declared The Year of the Peer at the 32nd Annual Mental Health Awareness Day at the Georgia State Capitol. Hundreds of peers, family members, professionals, and allies joined together at the Georgia State Capitol to raise awareness about mental health and to advocate for policies that improve the lives of people living with mental illness. Our shared theme for 2023 is: One Georgia, Collaborate and Connect
"Today, we come together to raise awareness about Behavioral Health - mental health and addiction - and to advocate for policies that improve the lives of people living with mental illness. We are proud to announce that 2023 is the Year of the Peer. 2023 is dedicated to recognizing and amplifying the voices of those who have lived experience and to work towards a more equitable and just society for all. The Year of the Peer will recognize the importance of utilizing our lived experiences and voices to advocate for ourselves and our peers. We will use our courage to bring our unique perspectives to lawmakers and leaders across Georgia," said Kim Jones, Executive Director, NAMI Georgia.
"2023 is The Year of the Peer. It is our disease, our lives which are at stake, and our futures which are impacted - it our peer voice which must be included, heard, and respected. All voices are welcome, all voices are needed, and all voices are important - yet, no voice is more essential than the peer voice. The Georgia Behavioral Health Community is united with one voice as we declare 2023 The Year of the Peer because as Georgia moves forward on Behavioral Health issues, the peer voice the essential voice in the conversation," said Jeff Breedlove, Chief of Policy, Georgia Council for Recovery.
"Peer support is a critical element of community-based care - a person-centered, recovery-based approach that ensures all people have access to both a range of interconnected services that deliver behavioral health care, as well as necessary social services," said Roland Behm, a board member of the Georgia Chapter of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
“Raising awareness and advocating for policies that can truly help those who live with mental illness and addiction is our vaccine to fighting this devastating disease. As we declare 2023 The Year of the Peer we raise our voices and unite to save lives and fight for those individuals and their families who don’t have a choice. GARR raises the voices of hundreds of Recovery Program Operators from every corner of this great state. Here is where the peers are, here is where the voices are loudest, here is where we turn back the tide and provide the support and services they deserve,”said Todd Wilson, Executive Director of The Georgia Association of Recovery Residences.
The Mental Health Policy Partnership looks forward to advocating for the peer voice at the Georgia General Assembly as we partner with the members of the General Assembly Mental Health Caucus and the General Assembly Working Group on Addiction and Recovery to advance peer positive legislation and policy for the people of Georgia.