The Atlanta Behavioral Health Advocates (ABHA) is an inter-professional workgroup housed within the Emory University Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences. Monthly meetings include discussion of ongoing initiatives and development of new projects. Past and current efforts have included developing and disseminating a voting initiative, providing a mentoring program for undergraduate students of color, publishing in peer-reviewed journals, providing educational presentations locally and nationally, drafting a legislative white paper advocating for increased behavioral health services for patients with complex presentations, engaging in scholarship on behavioral health advocacy training, participating in community behavioral health advocacy events, developing collaborations to other agencies, and visiting relevant organizations (e.g., Center for Civil and Human Rights).
Workgroup membership is open to all faculty (including adjunct), staff, and trainees associated with the department. Interested parties should contact Dr. Nadine Kaslow. Members are welcome to participate in ongoing activities even if they unable to make meetings.
Mission, Vision and Goal Statement
Atlanta Behavioral Health Advocates is a group of behavioral health professionals in Atlanta, Georgia who engage in social justice advocacy for the behavioral health needs of individuals who experience oppression, discrimination, and barriers to healthcare; and who are disproportionately impacted by social inequities. As a collaborative group embedded in the Atlanta community, we work toward social justice by seeking the perspectives of, and elevating and amplifying the voices of, community members so that their interests and needs are known, respected, and addressed. We are committed to educating the public, fighting prejudice and stigma, and increasing the availability of quality behavioral health resources.
We are a community-informed social justice advocacy group that aims to:
- Educate individuals and organizations on issues of behavioral health care, stigma, and prejudice, and promote self-care among healthcare professionals and advocates
- Advocate to community members, leaders, and legislators about how to better meet behavioral health needs and promote wellness
- Listen to and partner with members of the community to work collaboratively with those who understand their own needs best
- Provide clinical and consultation services to community members and organizations and help to disseminate existing community resources and support ongoing initiatives and projects
Advocacy Statements
The ABHA signed on to the Call for Action to Prevent Gun Violence in the United States of America as part of an Interdisciplinary Group on Preventing School and Community Violence.