A WORD FROM IRENE BARTO
COBB COLLABORATIVE’S EXECUTIVE DIRECTO
Dear Cobb Collaborative Community,
The topic of suicide is difficult for many people to discuss, and many myths or misinformation remain about suicide. Our goal is to equip everyone with resources to raise our collective awareness about the risk factors and warning signs of suicide. And more importantly, what we can do as individuals and as communities to prevent suicide. The topic is weighty, but we aim to empower all of us to face the challenge.
After a slight decline in 2020, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (ASFP), reports that 49,476 persons died by suicide in 2022, and there were an estimated 1.6 million attempts. We probably all know a family that has been impacted by the loss of a member to suicide. Our goal throughout Suicide Prevention Awareness Month is to raise awareness and share resources so that all of us are in a better position to support ourselves, our families, our coworkers, school communities and larger circles.
The national 988 website has stories to bring hope. Here is an excerpt from one that highlights the importance of connections:
“Suicide is still a topic that is not talked about nearly enough, and it is a detriment to us all because it leaves people living with suicidal feelings and ideation in silence. I’m alive today because there are people around me who I can reach out to when I am suffering. Because of that, suicidal thoughts no longer have a grasp on me.
Please know you are not alone. If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally or has concerns about their mental health, there are ways to get help” - Rudy Caseres, suicide survivor.
Our hope at the Collaborative is that you feel ready to be that person that someone can reach out to at all times, but particularly in times of suffering. And if you are struggling, our goal is to promote the resources and others ways that you can receive help and not live in silence any longer.
Warmly,
Irene Barton
Irene M. Barton, Executive Director
988 THE NEW 911?
911 is probably the most widely known phone number in the United States - a number we’ve all programmed to memory to help us out when we are in need, and for a good reason.
For years, 911 has been the sole resource to respond and offer immediate care. From immediate physical emergencies to mental crises, 911 was fielding it all. And although our tireless 911 operators and response teams are delivering quality care for everyone in all situations, there’s a new response that may lessen the burden on an overloaded call volume and offer more appropriate support in situations that may call for a mental health professional.
That's where 988 comes in. Another 3-digit number for us to commit to memory.
In July of 2022, 988 was launched by the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline as a step towards providing more appropriate care for those in need of mental or behavioral health services.
What is 911?
Dial 911 when you need immediate police, fire, or medical assistance The best way to reach 911 is with a voice call However, if you cannot call or it is unsafe to call, you can text instead
When to Call 911?
If someone has harmed themselves
If someone is unconscious or is not breathing
If someone is bleeding heavily or has a serious injury
If someone is having a seizure
If someone is actively hallucinating
Exhibiting threatening behavior or being violent
The calltaker will ask:
What to Expect?
The location of the emergency, including the street address
The phone number you are calling from
Your name
The nature of your emergency
Details about the situation, such as a physical description of persons involved, a description of injuries
Similar to 911, 988 serves as an emergency response to someone in crisis who may be experiencing a mental health emergency, substance abuse crisis, or emotional destress by connecting individuals to trained mental health professionals and counselors.
988 is tied to over two hundred crisis centers across the nation that provide 24/7 support while connecting the individual to local resources. Currently available in English, Spanish, and ASL, they are continuing to expand access through various languages and adaptations for those with disabilities (translation currently available in 240 languages via Language Line Solutions). They even have dedicated lines for those who are Veterans (call/text/chat 988 and press 1) and who identify as LGBTQ+ (988 and press 3).
What is 988?
The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, 988, is a national, anonymous, toll-free phone number that anyone can call or text to speak with a live person for immediate help when they are experiencing suicidal thoughts or a mental health crisis
When to Call 988?
Feeling unable to go about daily tasks such as caring for your personal hygiene or changing your clothes
Isolating yourself from loved ones, coworkers, classmates, and others
Sudden mood swings
Restlessness or pacing
Paranoia or feeling out of touch with reality
Violent or abusive behavior toward oneself or others
Suicidal thoughts or behaviors
What to Expect?
A trained crisis counselor will answer, listen to the person, provide support, and share resources as needed
Crisis counselors are trained to help in a variety of crisis situations
You can also text 988 Send any message to 988 to start a text conversation
You can also reach a crisis counselor via web chat at 988lifeline.org/chat
WARNING
SIGNS OF
SUICIDE
Talking about: Wanting to die
Burdening others
Great guilt or shame
Feeling:
Empty, hopeless, and trapped
Extreme sadness, anxiety, agitation, or rage
Behavior Changes: Making a plan or researching ways to die
Withdrawal from friends and family, saying goodbyes and sorting affairs
Increased risk taking Extreme mood swings Changes in eating and sleeping patterns
Increased substance use
SOMEONE TO TALK TO SOMEWHERE TO GO SOMEONE TO COME TO YOU CALL TEXT OR CHAT 988 WHEN YOU NEED:
Treatment, and Health) and Cobb CARES (Community Assistance Referral and Education Services) teams who utilize co-responder units that consist of trained counselors from local behavioral health centers (PATH) and resource referral programs (CARES).
On August 6th, 2024, in partnership with Chairwoman Lisa Cupid and Cobb & Douglas Public Health, Cobb Collaborative explored topics of 911 versus 988 with our Keynote Speakers, Melissa Alterio of Cobb County Department of Emergency Communications, and Dawn Peele of the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities. Followed by a thoughtful panel discussion with 911 Training Coordinators Daniel Morgan and Jamie Mumford, Cobb CARES Lieutenant Keith Tatum, Cobb PATH’s Matthew Dames and Officer Jacob King, and Dawn Peele This conversation only scratched the surface, but has made movements in our community that will create lasting change.
Check out the videos below to watch recordings of the Cobb County Behavioral Health Coordination Meeting from August 6, 2024.
Keynote Speaker - 911
Melissa Alterio
*video starts about 5-10 minutes into the presentation
Keynote Speaker - 988 & Panel Discussion
Dawn Peele & Panelists listed above
988, DBHDD, and Lexicon Strategies are looking for feedback on what our community members know, and how they are finding out about the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Take this short survey HERE to provide your valuable input on 988 marketing materials.
From preparing mental health kits for students with KIDS CARE to celebrating the success of our youngest minds with our Summer Reading Celebration in partnership with Cobb County Public Library, the YMCA, and Marietta City Schools, or chatting with our Vote Your Voice Coordinator Nichola Hines during our Voter Education series, Q3 was a busy one for the Cobb Collaborative. Check out snapshots of some of our favorite Q3 events!
KIDSCARE MENTAL HEALTH KITS FOR STUDENTS
SUMMER READING CELEBRATIONS WITH CC PUBLIC LIBRARY, MARIETTA CITY SCHOOLS, AND THE YMCA
BASICS PLAYGROUND PALOOZAS
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT LUNCH & LEARN
THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR PARTNERS & COLLABORATORS IN Q3!
The Engagement pillar of the HOPE (Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences) framework highlights the importance of social and civic engagement. Engagement allows us to become involved with and connected to our community in various ways to create a sense of belonging and security, especially as children develop into resilient adults.
Social and Civic Engagement plays a vital role in promoting healthier, more resilient communities by providing opportunities to be active and a part of something more than themselves. This then fosters a sense of purpose, trust, accessibility, and growth. It is a powerful tool that develops young people’s capacity to shape not only their own lives but their communities.
When we all play a part socially and civically, we experience improved mental health, stronger social connections, enhanced physical health, increased civic responsibility, economic benefits, and positive youth development.
Social and Civic Engagement helps children develop a sense of belonging and connectedness.
ways to ENGAGE
There are so many ways that you and your families can engage both socially and civically throughout your community. Here’s a few ideas to light your civic spark:
Sign your child up for after school activities like a organized sports or a club to create connections with those who have similar interests
Volunteer as a family for a local organizationfind a cause you care about and get more by giving back
Explore different cultures in your communitystop in that new restaurant with a cuisine you’ve never tried or check out cultural markets to gain a new perspective
Register to vote and participate in electionsdid you know that you can register to vote at seventeen and a half? Check out the article on page 17 for more info on voting. Support local businesses in our continuously developing community all across Cobb County!
AMERICANSIGN LANGUAGE
BEYOND BALLOT the
A discussion on civic engagement, voting, and beyond - with Cobb Collaborative’s Nichola Hines
Nichola Hines serves as Cobb Collaborative’s Vote Your Voice Coordinator and the President of the League of Women Voters of Georgia.
Q - What exactly is Vote Your Voice, and how does this tie into Cobb Collaborative?
A—VYV is a campaign funded by the Southern Poverty Law Center that aims to increase voter participation among underrepresented communities. The initiative often involves voter education, registration drives, and efforts to remove barriers to voting, ensuring that everyone can make their voice heard in elections.
In 2023, the grants for the Vote Your Voice initiative continued, increasing voter engagement and combating voter suppression. The ongoing challenges related to voting access, including changes in voting laws, voter ID requirements, and redistricting, made it crucial to sustain and expand the initiative’s impact.
With the new grant that Cobb Collaborative received, we have been able to interact with over 700 Cobb residents, register close to 60 people, check the status of another 50, and give out around 25 absentee ballots and we’ve still got two months to go. We've also reached the community through voter educational programming and youth engagement.
Q - Why is engagement with local leaders and policy-makers crucial for fostering healthy outcomes in our communities?
A - Local leaders and policymakers have the authority to create and implement policies that directly impact the health and well-being of community members. Engaging with them allows residents and advocacy groups to influence these policies, ensuring they address the community's needs and challenges This can lead to developing laws and regulations that promote public health, education, ho
Q - What challenges do you think people in our community face regarding voting, and how are we addressing those challenges through the Vote Your Voice grant?
A - I believe there are three significant challenges people in the community face: What can cause a person to be "purged" from the voter registration rolls, get an absentee ballot, and understand who they are voting for? The Vote, Your Voice team is combating this by doing voter educational programs that update the community on voting laws, sharing the Georgia State My Voter Page to check their status, providing detailed important date cards, and stressing the importance of down-ballot candidates.
Q - Can you share examples of how civic engagement, especially voting, leads to positive experiences and outcomes for individuals and communities?
A - Civic engagement, especially voting, leads to positive outcomes by ensuring communities have a say in decisions that directly impact their lives. For example, higher voter turnout often results in better public services, greater representation, and policy changes that reflect community needs, such as improved education and healthcare. Additionally, voting fosters social cohesion, increases awareness of important issues, and helps protect individual rights
Ultimately, engaged communities are more likely to experience economic growth, trust in government, and a stronger sense of collective responsibility.
Q - How can individuals, especially young people, engage more deeply with their communities and local leaders beyond voting?
A - Individuals, especially young people, can engage more deeply with their communities and local leaders by participating in local meetings, joining civic organizations, and volunteering for community projects. Visiting legislators during sessions and attending city council or school board meetings allows them to voice concerns and stay informed about local issues. Joining organizations like the League of Women Voters or a local youth advisory board provides opportunities to advocate for change and collaborate on community initiatives.
KEY ELECTION DATES FOR 2024:
Last Day To Register/Change Address/Change Name: October 7
Request for Absentee Ballot: August 19 - October 25
Early In-Person Voting: October 15 - November 1
Election Day: Tuesday, November 5th
Runoff Election Day: December 3
Interested in hosting a voter registration or education event? Contact Nichola Hines at voting@cobbcollaborative.org
F A L L 2 0 2 4
UPCOMING EVENTS FROM COBB COLLABORATIVE AND PARTNERS
COBB COLLAB EVENTS
FOR THE MOST UP TO DATE INFORMATION, VISIT OUR CALENDAR & SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER!
Cobb Collaborative Meetings/Networking
General Membership Meetings (11:30a-1:15p)
Q3 - September 18th
Q4 & Human Services Awards - December 3rd
Coffee with the Collaborative (9a-11a)
October 8th
December 10th
Prevent Child Abuse Cobb Convening
October 22nd (9:30a-11a)
Civic Engagement Events
Empowering Voters
September 16th, 18th (6:30p-8p)
September 25th, 30th (6p-7:30p)
School Board Candidate Forum
October 1st (6:30p-8p)
CCV (Veterans) Strategy Team
September 12th (9a-11a)
Literacy/Early Learning Events
Mental Health Events
Verbal Intervention (VI) Training
September 19th (9a-12p)
November 7th (1p-4p)
Lean on Me: Creating a Culture of Support
October 17th (10a-11:30a)
Community Resiliency Model (CRM)®
November 12th (4p-6p)
Basics Playground Paloozas - times/location vary
Count, Group & Compare - Sept 17th, 19th, 21st, Oct 29th, 31st
Maximize Love, Manage Stress - Sept 18th, Oct 15th, 17th
Explore Through Movement & Play - Oct 1st, 3rd, 19th
Read & Discuss Stories - Oct 8th, 10th, Talk, Sing & Point - Oct 22nd, 24th
Strategy Team Meeting
Children & Families - Oct 16th & Dec 11th (11:30a-1p)
Birth through Five - November 14th (8:30a-10a)
PARTNER/COMMUNITY EVENTS
Check out the Cobb County PARKS Fall Activity Guide HERE!
SEPTEMBER 14
SEPTEMBER 17
SEPTEMBER 19
SEPTEMBER 24
Cobb NAACP Block Party
Cobb Civic Center
Adult Mental Health First Aid
Virtual
Supporting Children &Families After Suicide Loss
Kate’s Club - Virtual
Life House Atlanta 2nd Annual Fall Breakfast
Georgia Aquarium
NOVEMBER 2
NOVEMBER 5
NOVEMBER 7
NOVEMBER 11
NOVEMBER 28
ER 12
OCTOBER 12-13
OCTOBER 14
OCTOBER 19
OCTOBER 26
Taste of Kennesaw
Downtown Kennesaw
Love Out Loud Music Festival
Schoolhouse Brewing Marietta Campus
Chalktober Fest
Marietta Square
26th Annual Pars for the Stars Special Needs Cobb Golf Invitational
Nightmare on Main 5k City of Kennesaw Fall-O-Ween | Trunk-or-Treat
Swift Cantrell | Thurman Springs Parks
Election Day
Waymark Hands of Hope Gala
North Metro Church
Veterans Day Ceremony
Acworth Community Center
MUST Ministries Gobble Jog
Marietta - N Park Stret
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
CC RESOURCES
COLLABORATIVE CONNECTION - NEWSLETTER
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MYM TOOLKIT
Our MYM Toolkit is a robust toolkit for a well rounded approach to mental health with extensive resources, statistics, and information
MYM SPEAKS - PODCAST
Mind Your Mind Speaks is our Podcast which features a wide range of guests with knowledge around mental health and more.
THANK YOU to everyone involved in the making of MYM Magazine. At Cobb Collaborative, we aim to reduce the stigma of mental health and increase access and awareness to support and services.
We wouldn't be able to do this amazing work and further our mission without the support of Resilient Georgia. Be sure to check out our events, many of which are sponsored by Resilient Georgia.
We would also like to thank our wonderful contributors, Kaitlyn Ball, Lesleigh Knotts, Nichola Hines, and Irene Barton for adding to this magazine with their insightful stories, research, design, and expertise as we bring topics to life with intention and purpose