Atlanta – Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) Commissioner Frank Berry joined Georgia First Lady Sandra Deal today at View Point Health in Metro Atlanta to raise awareness about National Child Abuse Prevention Month and tour the facility’s Adolescent Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU). The CSU is a medically monitored, short term stabilization program that provides psychiatric and behavioral healthcare for adolescents. The CSU operates 24-hours a day, seven days a week, and currently serves adolescents between 14 - 17 years of age. The CSU accepts referrals throughout the state.

“I want to thank Mrs. Deal for her commitment to improve the lives of children in our state as chairwoman of the Georgia’s Children’s Cabinet,” said Commissioner Berry. “Her efforts to raise awareness about children at risk for abuse improves our ability to provide emergency healthcare services.”

Mrs. Deal stated,“The critical emergency care provided by View Point Health CSU, and the partnerships the CSU has formed with other healthcare providers and agencies, aligns with the Georgia’s Children’s Cabinet goal of sharing knowledge and resources to serve the children of Georgia in the best possible manner.”

While at the View Point Health CSU, youth are enrolled in creative skill-building groups, intensive counseling, medication monitoring, academic classes, athletics and more. The average length of stay is approximately two weeks. Each youth and family are encouraged to participate in treatment, and are discharged with a transition-to-community plan. View Point Health is one of 25 community service boards created by the State of Georgia to provide a safety net of care for behavioral health and developmental disabilities. For additional information, please contact www.myviewpointhealth.org.

To contact the DBHDD please visit dbhdd.georgia.gov. To access the Georgia Crisis & Access Line call 1-800-715-4225 or visit www.mygcal.com.

Frank Berry has served as commissioner of DBHDD since August, 2012. The DBHDD is the state agency that focuses solely on policies, programs, and services for people with mental illness, substance use disorders and developmental disabilities. The department’s mission is to help the people it serves live a life of recovery and independence.

Contact Information:

Matt Carrothers, [email protected]