Mental health is an important part of overall health and
well-being. It is important at every stage of life, from childhood and
adolescence through adulthood. Mental health includes our emotional,
psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act.
It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make
healthy choices.
This past year has been a difficult time for all Americans. The effects of the unprecedented novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has caused mental and emotional hardships that stem from physical suffering, loss of loved ones and financial distress for many people. Worry and stress over forced isolation, the health and safety of family and friends and financial loss results in anxiety, depression, domestic abuse, substance abuse and misuse, and suicide. Mental illness can affect anyone and can develop at any time. Its effects spread well beyond the individual to family, friends, and coworkers. Taking care of yourself, your family, and your friends can help you cope with life stressors. Helping others cope with their stress can also make your community stronger.
Ways to Cope with Stress
Take breaks from watching, reading, or listening to news stories, including social media.
Take care of your body.
Take deep breaths, stretch, or meditate.
Try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals.
Exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep.
Avoid alcohol and drugs.
Make time to unwind. Try to do some other activities you enjoy.
Connect with others. Talk with people you trust about your concerns and how you are feeling.
People often do not get the mental health services they need because they do not know where to start. If you do not have a trusted friend, family member or clergy that you can talk to, speak with your primary care doctor or another health professional about mental health issues and concerns. Ask them to connect you with the right mental health services. Some state agencies offer Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) that provide confidential mental and emotional health consulting services for their employees and family members.
Atlanta, GA – Georgia First Lady Marty Kemp, in partnership with Attorney General Chris Carr, today released a new anti-human trafficking public service announcement (PSA). The new PSA highlights “The Survivors First Act” and is airing across the state on digital media.
“Brian and I were proud to work with Attorney General Carr and members of the Georgia General Assembly to institute ‘The Survivors First Act’ to help victims heal by removing barriers to employment, housing, and other steps towards rehabilitation,” said First Lady Marty Kemp. “We need to make sure we are getting the word out to survivors as much as possible, and through all means. This PSA provides that clear message, and I hope all survivors know that we will stop at nothing to support them.”
“Unfortunately, some survivors of human trafficking still carry around the weight of a criminal record while trying to heal from the trauma they’ve experienced,” said Attorney General Chris Carr. “We are proud to work with Georgia’s First Lady, Marty Kemp, to ensure all survivors are aware of the opportunity in Georgia to wipe the slate clean and focus on healing.”
Senate Bill 425, known as “The Survivors First Act,” became effective on June 29, 2020. SB 435 creates remedies for individuals to clean up their Georgia criminal history if they are survivors of sex or labor trafficking, as defined in O.C.G.A § 16-5-46. Specifically, SB 435 gives trafficking survivors the opportunity to either vacate their convictions if the conviction was a direct result of the trafficking, or restrict access to their record if the arrest was while they were being trafficked. These new remedies will remove individuals’ barriers to employment, housing, and other opportunities, as well as hopefully help heal the trauma they have experienced.
The PSA launches in addition to a webpage from the Office of the Attorney General that provides survivors with the forms they need to petition for vacatur or record restriction. Their webpage can be found here.
