Advancing Mental Health for Georgians

From its office in downtown Atlanta, Mental Health America (MHA) of Georgia reaches out to partners, practitioners, consumers, and families across the state. That’s a big task for a small nonprofit that relies on Rollins students to advance its work in education, outreach, and advocacy.

First-year students Amanda Gurin and Samantha Collado fill different roles at the agency. Collado writes grant proposals and markets various programs, including Mental Health First Aid, which teaches college students, faith group members, employees, and the general public how best to help someone in the early stages of mental illness or in a mental health crises. Gurin, who serves as the agency’s communications and outreach coordinator, is responsible for all social media and writes a monthly newsletter for mental health professionals and consumers throughout Georgia.

Kristen McLean, a second-year student, is a veteran of MHA of Georgia, which she joined in fall 2010. She primarily serves as project manager for the RESPECT Seminars, a training program for state health care employees that emphasizes respect from the patient’s perspective in the health care setting. McLean also supports Kids on the Block, a puppetry program that teaches elementary and middle school students about mental health.

In February, the students joined Sarah Schwartz, executive director of MHA of Georgia, at the state Capitol for an annual rally on Mental Health Day. Schwartz began partnering with Rollins after she spoke to students attending the school’s monthly Mental Health Concentration lecture. Following her talk, a student asked her about interning at MHA of Georgia.

“It’s been a terrific partnership. I’ve been thrilled with the students I’ve had from Rollins,” says Schwartz, the agency’s only full-time staff member. “Some of our programs would not be as far along as they are if it weren’t for our students. They provide resources that allow us to move forward and take our programs to new levels.”—PA