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Mental Health Support

Mental Health

Social-Emotional Well Being Resources for Families

As discussed above, issues or concerns with social-emotional well-being during this COVID-19 situation adds additional challenges for everyone. Keeping your child safe and well along with your entire family is among our top priorities. Here are some resources to help you if your child or another family member seems to be struggling with their social emotional well-being.

Stress & Coping

https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/stress-coping

Warning Signs of Depression

https://www.helpguide.org/articles/depression/parents-guide-to-teen-depression.htm

Self-Injurious Behaviors and Suicidal Thoughts

Crisis Text Line (CTL) offers live text support 24 hours 7 days a week to those who reach out. Just text HELP to 741741 and in minutes you will be connected to a compassionate, trainer, crisis counselor. If your child types DEAF to 741741, they will attempt to connect them with a Deaf crisis counselor. This amazing organization can provide a person to assist with moving a person from crisis to calm and sometimes, just the connection or knowing that they exist, helps people feel less alone. Make sure anyone you love who struggles with depression, feelings of despair, and/or self-injurious behaviors, knows how to reach out to Crisis Text Line.

Crisis Support

For immediate access to routine or crisis services, please call the Georgia Crisis and Access Line (GCAL) at 1-800-715-4225. GCAL is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year to help you or someone you care for in a crisis. Please notify this team that your child has hearing loss and require American Sign Language interpreter.

Mental Health Counseling Services for the Deaf/Hard of Hearing

Avita Community Partners
To request therapy services for your child, please complete the referral form here: https://avitapartners.formstack.com/forms/avitadeafservices

Contact Information:
Avita Community Partners Fax: 678-513-5788
Email:avitadeafservices@avitapartners.org

Insurance Accepted:
Clients will use their insurance.
Costs not covered by insurance will be covered by state grant.
If no insurance, clients will be covered under state grant.
If you are emailing for an urgent or crisis intake/appointment, please contact your local community service board, mental health agency. Inform the office manager that you will need a sign language interpreter for your appointment. A request for an interpreter can be made at deafservices@dbhdd.ga.gov.

G.R.E.A.T D.A.Y. (Georgia Resources, Education, Advocacy and Treatment for Deaf Adults and Youth)
GREAT DAY has served as an outpatient mental health service provider to deaf, hard of hearing and deaf-blind adults, youth and their families since 2001. G.R.E.A.T. D.A.Y. provides - via telephone, video/tty/internet relay, or text - Mental Health Screening, Triage and Referral services to assess an individual's need and to connect the individual to preferred mental health service providers available in the individual's area for accessible treatment.

Insurance Accepted:
Most private insurance
Medicaid (inquire if still accepts Medicaid at this time)
Employee Assistance Programs

Contact Information:
Address: 5301 Snapfinger Park Drive, Decatur GA 30035
Phone: 470-299-9190 (Videophone)
            404-377-9224
Email: info@greatdayinc.net
Website: http://greatdayinc.net/

AVITA Community Partners
Providing private counseling with ASL fluent counselors
800-525-8751
http://www.avitapartners.org/

National Deaf Counseling on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/nationaldeaftherapy/

Deaf Counseling Center on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/deafcounseling/

Behavior Related Support for Parents/Caregivers

We know that behaviors at home can be challenging. If you have a child who struggles with behavior typically, and is having an even harder time now, and you have flexibility to participate in an online training session, you might want to take a look at the info below through Georgia State University’s Center for Leadership in Disability. They provide high quality information and training that many of our staff participate in regularly.

Positive Behavior Support Parent Academy – FOR PARENTS

Description: Through these five sessions, parents learn how to apply the positive behavior support process to their individual child’s/family’s needs. Group sessions are held on the days below. Individualized coaching sessions are held between the group sessions at times that are convenient to the parent.

Dates (Parents should try to attend all five dates)

i. Online, April 16: 10 am-12 pm
ii. Online, April 21: 10 am-12 pm
iii. Online, April 23: 10 am-12 pm
iv. Online, April 28: 10 am-12 pm
v. Online, April 30: 10 am-12 pm

Parents can register for the free, online Positive Behavior Support Parent Academy here: https://gsu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0DPSoeUr4S9UYi9

Additional Community Resources During These Difficult Times

The United Way
https://www.unitedwayatlanta.org/coronavirus/

Access the website above to find community resources/assistance for food services, housing, health & medical, prescriptions, childcare services, employment services, benefits, utility services, small business assistance, emergency relief, transportation, legal services, fraud reporting, IRS, assistance for families without a home.

Childcare Support
To locate childcare that is currently open call 1-877-ALL-GA-KIDS (1-877-255-4254) or go online to https://www.qualitycareforchildren.org/

Filing for Unemployment

Information about Unemployment Benefits: https://dol.georgia.gov/unemployment-benefits

To file a claim (turn off your pop-up blockers): https://www.dol.state.ga.us/fileaclaim/

Applying for Food Stamp and Medicaid Benefits

DFCS encourages families to access self-service options online during this period. Self-service options include:

  • Apply for Food Stamp and Medicaid Benefits: gateway.ga.gov (verification documents can be uploaded and case status info is available for all benefits)
  • Download an Application: https://dfcs.georgia.gov/services
  • Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) Visit: https://www.connectebt.com/gaebtclient or call: 888-421-3281 for updates
  • Those without internet access can contact the DFCS Customer Contact Center at 877-423-4746 for additional information or to request a paper application. Applications and any required verification can be mailed back to your local county DFCS office. County office locations are available online at https://dfcs.georgia.gov/locations.