About 20 people, including teenagers and their parents, spent Wednesday evening talking about mental health and ways to deal with conflict at the second session of the Teen Mental Health Check-In. This event was held by the Girls Dig Deeper Initiative (GDDI) and Macon Mental Health Matters (MMHM) at the Rosa Jackson Recreation Center.
“We talked about how we are feeling, what mental health means to us, signs and symptoms of top mental health diagnoses and how to identify them,” said GDDI Founder Najiva Timothee. “Everyone in the room was engaged—listening, taking notes and asking questions.”
MMHM provided information about resolving conflict, meditation, relaxation, and grounding techniques for anxiety prevention. Teens also learned about different mental health issues and how to cope with them.
“Even though we are closing out May for Mental Health Month, I encourage our youth and families to continue to prioritize their mental health and wellness on a daily basis,” said Timothee.
The GDDI is a recipient of Macon Violence Prevention (MVP) grant funding. If you’d like to learn more about the GDDI, click here.
About Macon Mental Health Matters
The Macon Mental Health Matters (MMHM) initiative services include mental health counseling for both individuals and families, financial counseling, conflict resolution, non-traditional mental health activities (yoga, pop-up gyms, training, parenting/IECMH, etc.) and these services are offered in the community at no cost to the client, increasing the opportunity for access to care.
This program incorporates a holistic approach for reducing recidivism, resolving conflict without using violence, and increasing access to mental health care within the Macon-Bibb County area.
This program also serves to raise awareness, and inform the people within the community about therapy in general. This will lead to destigmatizing mental health as well as increasing access to mental health care.
About Girls Dig Deeper Initiative
Girls Dig Deeper Initiative is a girls group mentoring and youth development program in Central Georgia which serve youth in schools, communities, and incarcerated youth ages 13-17. They provide 1:1, group, and a team model mentoring approach within the organization.
Their mission is to foster guidance, support, and encouragement to all youth girls to dig deep within themselves to access their inner potential and expand their capacity to be a positive influence to themselves and others.
Girls Dig Deeper Initiative launched its leadership development program in January,. The Winners’ Mindset which teaches youth girls to rise up and win regardless of the challenges they face.
About the Macon Violence Prevention Program
Macon Violence Prevention (MVP) is an evidence-based, multifaceted program created to address public safety in Macon-Bibb County. Supported and funded by the consolidated government, MVP is a community-wide effort that brings together elected officials, community leaders, agencies, organizations, and departments.
The second round of MVP grants is currently under review and will be announced soon by the Community Foundation of Central Georgia. Up to $600,000 will be awarded to organizations to continue or start programs focused on violent crime prevention. These programs and efforts are to be aligned with the goals of the community-generated MVP Strategic Plan that were set by nearly 2,000 people through forums and surveys on what our neighborhoods need.
“The solution to violent crime in our community will be found in all of us working together on the same team,” explained Mayor Lester Miller. “The fact that more than 50 organizations came to the table with good ideas and applied for MVP grants shows that the people of our community are committed to this historic effort. If we continue to work together, we will create a safer, stronger community now and for future generations.”