The Hall County Board of Commissioners alongside 158 counties in Georgia recently adopted resolution R-2023-012 urging Gov. Brian Kemp and the General Assembly to continue mental health reform efforts in the upcoming legislative session.
“As outlined in our Strategic Plan, Hall County is committed to promoting mental health initiatives in our community,” Hall County District 1 Commissioner Kathy Cooper, who also serves on the Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG) Standing Committee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse, said. “The role of a servant leader is to protect and provide services to our communities, and I am proud to stand with all 159 Georgia counties who are also in alignment with providing our citizens with the care and compassion they deserve in times of crisis.”
Hall County government officials said mental health reform efforts urge the Governor and General Assembly to continue efforts to enhance citizen access to mental health services.
These services include the provision of state budgetary funding for additional behavioral health crisis centers, additional co-responder units and other resources to assist those with mental health and substance abuse disorders.
“Counties are the closest constitutional form of government to their constituents and are often on the frontline of addressing pressing community issues like mental health,” Craig said. “In recent years, Georgia has made significant strides regarding mental health reform, and ACCG and Georgia’s counties have played a critical role in spearheading those efforts. As the mental health crisis persists, it is incumbent upon local and state leaders to devise solutions for all who call our state home.”
The efforts were spearheaded by the ACCG and made a 2024 legislative priority and presidential initiative by ACCG President and Baldwin County Commissioner Henry Craig.
