Milledgeville Jaycees hold mental health forum Monday

June 14--The Milledgeville Jaycees will be hosting a State of Mental Health in Baldwin County forum, Monday, in Peabody Auditorium on Georgia College's campus.

"We just see the need in the community to discuss the subject and shed light on some important issues about mental health," said Danielle Fields, Jaycees President.

The event is slated for 6:30 p.m.

"We've got a good mix of representatives from different aspects of the community that will speak on the topic of mental health," she said.

The panel of experts will consist of Dr. Audry Crumley, Oconee Regional Medical Center emergency room doctor, Maj. Lynnette LaRocque of the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office, Judge Maxine Blackwell from the solicitor's office and a representative from River Edge Behavioral Health Center.

"We are also inviting all representatives of the city council and county commissioners, Rep. Rusty Kidd, as well as the mayoral candidates," she added.

The panelist will be asked questions about how individuals in the community with mental health deficiencies affect different organizations, as well as how citizens can be more aware of the issue.

"If time permits, we will open the floor for questions."

According to Fields, the idea for the forum came about when Jaycee members noticed an increase in the homeless population in Baldwin County since the closing of Central State Hospital.

"My genuine goal for this event is to help people realize mental illness doesn't affect just a specific group of people," Fields said. "My hope is that we are able to raise awareness about the subject and teach the community that having a mental illness is not a stigma."

Fields says the forum will not only bring mental illness awareness to the community, but it will also provide information and resources to families.

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