Paul has the difficult job of managing two campuses and balancing the art of satisfying two masters, DBHDD and Augusta University.

Next week, our nation celebrates Veterans Day, paying homage to the men and women who have fought to preserve our freedom.  As Americans, we are called to support those who were willing to lay everything on the line to protect and defend us.  As behavioral health providers, we have a special responsibility to support our veterans as they transition from service to society.  Georgia is the proud home of approximately 700,000 veterans, including many who work for or are served by DBHDD and our providers.  Over 150 veterans choose to work at DBHDD, and there are many others working in our safety net network.  Every one of us owes a great debt to them – and all veterans – for their courage, conviction, and sacrifice.     

It appears that cooler temperatures have finally arrived. Fall is at our doorstep, and I think we all welcome the change. I am eager to share my optimism about the future, but first I want to offer a reflection of two important events that DBHDD has hosted in recent weeks.

John Robertson joined our team in July 2007 as the Hospital Administrator of West Central Georgia Regional Hospital (WCGRH) when we were a division of the Georgia Department of Human Resources.  Prior to joining us, John had over 20+ years of executive level management experience in the for-profi

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and today is World Suicide Prevention Day. In the last two decades, the rate of suicide has increased by 16 percent in Georgia and 30 percent across the nation.  Recently, high-profile suicides covered the news in our state, but the tragedy of suic

Charles Li, M.D., joined the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities as the regional hospital administrator of Georgia Regional Hospital – Savannah on January 2, 2006.

H.

DBHDD has been at the leading edge of innovation in several areas, and I am excited to share an update on important work we are advancing for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  In March, we launched our inaugural Supported Employment Forum at Callaway Gardens in Pine Mounta

By Dr. Hetal Patel, Regional Services Administrator, DBHDD Region 1 

When people think about our state’s safety net for people with psychiatric disorders, they may think about Georgia’s five state hospitals. Our hospitals are an essential element of the safety net continuum. They provide a vital resource for individuals with serious behavioral health issues.

Dr. Emile Risby recently announced the appointment of Gilbert Sutton, Jr. as the new Central State Hospital Regional Hospital Administrator.  Mr.

Summer heat is upon us, but our desire to serve Georgia’s safety net needs remains strong.

May is Mental Health Month, and it is more important than ever to be talking about mental health.  In recent years, evidence has underscored what many of us already know: mental health is essential to overall health, and mental illness is common and treatable.  Recovery is possible!​

Greetings!  It seems that Spring is finally here and we can look forward to the celebration of Mental Health Month throughout May.  Today, I want to celebrate mental health and more through an important story.  It is the story of a decade of transformation at DBHDD.

The Annual Mental Health Block Grant (MHBG) Behavioral Health Report provides the means for states to comply with the reporting provisions of the Mental Health Block Grant.

Spring Greetings!

Greetings!  Over the next few months, I will be highlighting some of the exciting transformation efforts underway throughout DBHDD.  We are a department on the move!

2018 is off and running.  Between budget and legislative activities, and our ongoing system-wide transformation, we continue to drive toward the end of the ADA Extension Agreement, scheduled for June 30, 2018.  As we focus on these significant strategic priorities, I wanted to take a pause and revisit our “WHY?”.  Why do we embrace our challenging mission to serve some of Georgia’s most vulnerable citizens?

2018 is off and running.

Happy New Year!  I hope each of you was able to rest and spend quality time with loved ones as 2017 came to a close.  I want to offer my sincere thanks to our hospital and provider staff who worked through the holidays.  I am humbled by the dedication that you all demonstrate year round.