2023 Georgia state budget includes $180 million increase in mental health funding

AUGUSTA, GA ( WJBF) — Warren Bowman Jr. is aware of firsthand the battle of coping with psychological well being points.

” Lots of people have struggles, however I used to be identified at 20,” Bowman mentioned.

He now makes use of his private expertise to be an advocate for others.

“As time progressed, I simply grew to become an advocate to assist help individuals,” Bowman mentioned.

As an authorized peer specialist and psychological well being advocate, he mentioned the psychological well being occupation wants extra assets.

” One spot I believe that’s very wanted helps individuals with homeless assets and likewise entry to housing.”

The 2023 Georgia state finances features a 180 million greenback improve in psychological well being spending — the biggest within the state’s historical past.

Whereas the state continues to take care of a psychological well being supplier scarcity, Bowman mentioned he want to see a part of that funding go towards recruiting and retaining extra psychological well being professionals.

“We want extra psychiatrists and psychologists that are two completely different classifications of people that work in a occupation to remain in Augusta and never simply get their diploma from AU after which go away after residency,” Bowman mentioned.

Different psychological well being professionals mentioned getting extra psychological well being professionals concerned in disaster care is crucial.

” I believe the important thing to that’s going to be rising our disaster care. Particularly these smaller areas and getting our police departments educated in order that they know extra about disaster care,” Bridge the Hole counselor Wanda Sanders mentioned.

Bowman mentioned getting extra suppliers within the discipline means getting extra sufferers the assistance they want.

” The extra those who keep in that discipline then we are able to open extra clinics and various kinds of substance abuse spots.”