The CDC reports that more than 1 in 5 adults are receiving mental health treatment, and that number has increased during the pandemic. The Savannah Register is now creating a safe haven for those struggling.
“I’m still recovering myself. I know it’s hard to go home and look at yourself in the rearview mirror and just cry,” the Register said tearfully.
For Register, mental health is a daily journey.
She now welcomes others to join.
“It may target abandonment issues, depression, anxiety, boundaries, and self-care,” she explained.
Every week she hosts a group of people at Centerville Park. There, she has a peer-led mental health support group, which she says came out of one of her darkest times.
“I was hospitalized for suicidal thoughts in March. When I was discharged, they gave me a list of resources to look back on,” she said.
Now she’s become a resource for people like Kayden Quinton, one of the group’s members. He says he saw the group on social media and started joining out of necessity.
“I don’t have health insurance, so when I saw Savannah post, I jumped right in because I don’t have insurance and I can’t get treatment. What else?” I really need something,” he said.
Kayden identifies as a transgender man and says he quickly found support in the group.
“Having a group where I can be myself and have people who support me has allowed me to express a lot of the emotions I was having,” he continued.
“If for some reason I have to step down, or if the meeting can’t go on any further, I really hope it flourishes and continues. I really hope it continues after that.” said Register.
If you need help, you can find mental health resources, access to services, and emergency crisis assistance. Call the Georgia Crisis & Access Line at 1-800-715-4225.
