NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
April 1, 2022
Statement on the Passage of the Mental Health Parity Act
ATLANTA, GA – Mental Health America of Georgia’s Executive Director Abdul Henderson released the following statement on the passage of the Mental Health Parity Act in both chambers of the Georgia Assembly;
“Today we made history in Georgia. The General Assembly in both chambers unanimously passed the Mental Health Parity Act.
This historic omnibus reform bill is the most comprehensive mental health legislation the state has ever passed. This bill will save the lives of people struggling with mental health and substance use challenges. The bill includes a drastic increase in funding for vulnerable Georgians, mental health parity and accountability of insurance providers, support for Georgia’s mental health workforce and so much more.
We at Mental Health America of Georgia are hopeful that Governor Kemp will sign this bill into law as soon as he possibly can, to bring these changes officially to our state. We are hopeful that our state agencies will take this law and get to work improving our mental health care system.
Thank you to those who played a hand in this monumental legislation, including Speaker David Ralston, Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan, Rep. Todd Jones, Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver, Rep. Sharon Cooper, Rep. Greg Kennard, Sen. Kim Jackson, Sen. Brian Strickland, and the advocates who tirelessly fought for this change.”
“If there is anyone that you know that may be in crisis, please contact the Georgia Crisis and Access line at (800) 715-4225. It is available to all Georgians 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.”
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Since its establishment over 40 years ago, Mental Health America of Georgia (MHA of GA) is a top education, training, and advocacy organization for mental health and substance use disorders. MHA of GA represents a growing movement of Georgians who promote mental wellness for the health and wellbeing of everyone in Georgia, emphasizing mental health as a critical component of a healthy lifestyle. To learn more about Mental Health America of Georgia, visit https://www.mhageorgia.org.
Media inquiries: Madison Scott at (770) 741-1481 or madison@mhargeorgia.org