Community Health News Organizations 

ACCPD works to improve mental health response procedures

Story written and produced by: Amy Scott, Alexandria Ellison and Ashlyn Webb ATHENS, Ga. — Athens-Clarke County Police linked approximately 140 citizens back to mental health resources in 2018, continuing their 2016 initiative to lower the incarceration rate of the mentally ill. This is due in part by the ACCPD’s 2016 mental health collaboration and Georgia’s Crisis Intervention Team training.The mental health collaboration is a partnership between ACCPD, the Clarke County Sheriff’s Office, Advantage Behavioral Health and UGA’s Fanning Institute. The collaboration was created to “examine policies, enhance interdepartmental communications,…

Read More

Experts: Five Minutes of Meditation Per Day Enough

ATHENS, Ga- Those who practice daily meditation say they reap the benefit of having fewer stressful days, even with just a couple of minutes of daily dedication.   Becky Smith, the owner of Above Barre Athens, started incorporating a few minutes of meditation into the barre classes at her studios to help gym-goers de-stress. For about two to five minutes at the end of class, women are encouraged to meditate and clear their minds. “We have such busy lives. It’s just good to have those few moments to yourself,” Smith says. Above…

Read More
Health News 

Army Veteran Helps Soldiers with Post-traumatic Stress

COLUMBUS, GEORGIA- Army veteran, Sam Rhodes, wanted to end his own life years ago due to his struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder, but instead in 2008 he opened a ranch that allowed veterans peace. Rhodes and his wife, Kathy, started a nonprofit facility called Warrior Outreach in 2008. The facility includes 16 horses for equine therapy, Nashville’s singer-song writers for music therapy, and different sorts of events from children’s birthday parties to prayer groups. The goal of this place is to offer soldiers’ help with a mental illness that made…

Read More