Mental Health Resources for Teens in Georgia
- Riley F, Elizabeth E, Parmida T & Michael N.
- Apr 16
- 7 min read
The topic of mental health is incredibly important in our daily lives. In fact, it helps us to cope with our individual stressors, to learn and work well, and to contribute to our community (World Health Organization). Unfortunately, a huge number of Georgia teens are struggling with mental health problems. There are almost 3 million teens in Georgia. 1 in 8 of those teens are suffering from depression (Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities). In this blog, we will be talking about the different resources for teens in Georgia who struggle with their mental health. Remember - you are not alone.
How Does Where You Live Impact Your Mental Health?
Georgia has a few big cities, but the rest of the state is rural (World Population Review, 2025). This means that most of the population is spread out, making it extremely difficult to know what care is available around you (NAMI, 2021). It has been reported that around 4.9 million Georgian residents live in areas that lack enough mental health professionals, which is outrageous (NAMI, 2021)! This may mean that if you are living in one of those areas, you might have to travel long distances to receive care, which is not fun!
Unfortunately, this situation can also be costly, which poses a problem as 13.4% of Georgian residents are living in poverty, and most are reported to not have health insurance (NAMI, 2021). Teens who live in families that are representative of this data may have a harder time knowing what resources are available. Additionally, around 2% of teens were reported to be homeless in Georgia during the 2021-2022 school year (America's Health Ranking, 2022). This situation can be tough, and finding care at a low cost is extremely necessary!
If you are part of a minority community in Georgia, research has shown that you may be affected by several added stressors that can negatively impact your mental health (Everett et al., 2016). Minority communities can include groups such as LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, and people of color (POC). The effects may amplify if you experience a form of discrimination (Everett et al., 2016). For example, African American people seeking help often do not get offered the treatment that they need (William, 2018). With this information, it makes it even more dire that if you are part of these communities that you are treated by professionals who can understand your experiences. It would be very hard to open up to a professional who you felt did not have your back! Here are the percentages of different ethnic groups within the state:
● White (58.7%)
● African American (33.2%)
● Hispanic (11.1%)
● Asian (4.9%)
● Native American (0.6%)
● (United States Census, 2023).
What Resources Does the Georgia Government Offer?
The Official Georgia Government Website For Mental Health Services: Can help you find services recommended by the state.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: For immediate emotional distress support, you can call or text 988 to connect with trained counselors who are available 24/7. You can also chat with someone on this website.
Georgia Crisis & Access Line (GCAL): This statewide, toll-free call center operates 24/7, providing confidential support for crisis management, finding services, and help with scheduling appointments with mental health providers. You can reach GCAL at 1-800-715-4225 or visit their website by clicking the link we provided.
What is the 988 Lifeline, and why is it the best?
Finding and reaching out to a resource on your own can be confusing and complicated! Therefore, we have thoroughly researched and found one that we believe can help any teen struggling with any mental health issue! So, what is it?
The 988 Lifeline is a suicide and mental health crisis hotline that is available to everyone in the US. It provides local support to Georgian residents by teaming up with the Georgia Crisis and Access Line (GCAL), which enables it to provide more personalized services for those in Georgia. This means by texting, or calling, the three-digit number 988 you will receive help instantly from local crisis support professionals. We believe that the 988 Lifeline is the best resource because it is FREE and easily accessible! Even more amazingly, it is available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. Additionally, the trained mental health professional who picks up your call or responds to your text can help you one-on-one with your struggles, develop a plan, and find you local in-person support catered to your needs at low or no cost if needed!
The unique thing about this resource is that it has translation services for 250 languages, and if you speak Spanish, all you have to do is text “AYUDA” or press 2 while calling 988 to be in contact with a Spanish-speaking counselor!
The same goes for if you are part of the LGBTQ+ community; by texting “Q”, or pressing 3 on the phone, you can get in contact with a professional who will provide supportive care.
This resource also caters to a range of problems. Professionals can help with any mental health struggle and even with substance abuse issues!
This resource is anonymous, as the only identifiers they use are your phone number if you call and zip code if you text. This is used to connect you to the closest crisis professional to you! Any information you share about yourself is CONFIDENTIAL! Additionally, the 988 Lifeline is not just beneficial for the individuals suffering, but also a way for you to reach out to a trained professional if someone you love is going through a mental health crisis.
(988 Georgia, n.d.)
How to Access 988 Lifeline
You now might be curious how to reach 988. If you do not have a phone, do not worry, you can still get in contact! You can start chatting with a trained professional by going to their website. To make this process as easy as possible, we have provided step-by-step instructions on how to get connected!
Step 1: Visit the 988 Lifeline Website
Step 2: Choose how you want to connect
Congratulations on completing your final step! If you click on the “chat” button, you can now contact a professional on your laptop or computer. You will be directed to fill out a short questionnaire, which is used to connect you to a trained professional who will best suit your specific needs. There’s even an option for people with hearing disabilities!
You can also follow these steps using your mobile device. All you would have to do is click the button to call or text. You can also go on your phone app and enter the number 988 to call or text. Simple and easy!
Why we love 988
Lizzie - I love the 988 hotline because it is accommodating, anonymous, And it is completely FREE! That means it is completely accessible to our Georgia teens!
Riley - I love our resource for so many reasons! I think the service being free and available statewide is AMAZING, as it can help teens from any financial and living situation. I especially love how there are specific services for people with disabilities and those who are part of the LGBTQ+ community. It is so important to be included and seen!
Micheal - I love how simple it is to access, and how easy it is to use! With the website giving easy step by step instructions including a video explaining how 988 works, they tell you exactly what to expect. They made it easier than ever to get any mental health support you need!
Parmida - I love it because it is very easy to use and it supports multiple languages; people from any background can use it.
Things you can do for yourself
It could be confusing, or even scary, if somebody is suffering from mental health issues, and they may not be ready to seek help just yet. Some common reasons for this could be potential costs, social pressure, or even self confidence. However mental health doesn't always need fancy doctors and treatments in order to start getting better. Because of this, it’s important to know what you could do on your own to improve your mental health. Here are some simple and affordable activities that you could start that can improve your mental health each day:
● Regular Exercise - Even just 30 min of walking each day can boost mood and improve health. See these blog posts on cardio, yoga or strength training.
● Eat Regularly, Healthily, and Stay Hydrated - A balanced diet and plenty of water can improve energy and focus. Decreasing caffeine and alcohol use is also helpful.
● Having a Healthy Sleep Schedule - Different age groups have different recommended amounts of sleep, so look up on yours. Blue light use from devices before sleep may also make it harder to fall asleep, so limit time on your phone before bed.
● Try Meditation, or another Relaxing Activity - Some examples you may want to try are, reading, listening to music, spending time in nature, or any other type of low-stress hobbies.
Closing
Although life can be tough, just remember that we are only human. It is okay to ask for help when you’re struggling. Whenever you feel helpless or like you’re all alone, just remember that there are a myriad of resources available to help you with your issues. You can also try implementing the self-care activities that were mentioned into your daily schedule. Remember–you’re amazing and you are so loved. Keep pushing through! It will all be alright in the end.
Call-to-Action
If you have a friend in Georgia who is struggling, please send them the link to this post. If you know someone struggling with mental health in another state, you can forward them the link of another blog on this website that were posted by our classmates. It is easy to find exactly what you need!
References
America’s Health Ranking: United Health Foundation. (2022). Explore Students Experiencing
Homelessness in Georgia. https://www.americashealthrankings.org/explore/measures/homeless_students/GA#measure-trend-summary/.
Caring for Your Mental Health, (2024). Caring for your mental health. National Institute of Mental Health. Caring for Your Mental Health - National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Everett BG, Onge JS, Mollborn S. Effects of Minority Status and Perceived Discrimination on Mental Health. Popul Res Policy Rev. 2016 Aug;35(4):445-469.
NAMI: The Alliance on Mental Illness. (2021). Mental Health in Georgia.
“Population of Children <20 Years by Race/Ethnicity: Georgia, 2023.” March of Dimes |
PeriStats, 2023, https://www.marchofdimes.org/peristats/data?reg=99&top=14&stop=133&lev=1&slev=4&obj=3&sreg=13.
United States Census Bureau. (2023). U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Georgia; United
Williams DR. Stress and the Mental Health of Populations of Color: Advancing Our Understanding of Race-related Stressors. J Health Soc Behav. 2018 Dec;59(4):466-485.
World Population Review. (2025). Georgia Population 2025.
https://worldpopulationreview.com/states/georgia#:~:text=2020%20Year%20Population-Demographics,Pacific%20Islander%20and%20multiracial%20populations
World Health Organization. “Mental Health.” World Health Organization, 2025,
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