September is Suicide Prevention Month, a time when we come together to shine a light on mental health and open up conversations that can save lives. In Georgia, this conversation is more urgent than ever.
A recent report from the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities shows that suicide is the leading cause of death for young adults ages 20 to 24. It is also the second leading cause of death for children ages 10 to 14. In 2023 alone, 249 young Georgians died by suicide. These are more than statistics, they are sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, friends and classmates.
Experts say the rise is fueled by isolation and limited access to mental health support. At Wellroot, we see this firsthand and are committed to helping families heal through Functional Family Therapy (FFT) and by growing the mental health workforce in Georgia.
This year, Wellroot was honored to be selected for the National Mental Health Workforce Acceleration Collaborative (NMHWAC). This program, started by Kaiser Permanente and supported by Resilient Georgia, helps train and support future therapists through coaching, financial assistance, and mentorship.
Two of our incredible therapists, Jaimee Batts and Liza Cuevas, are shining examples of this program’s impact.
“I’ve always known I wanted to be a therapist,” Jaimee shared. “Even as a kid, I would say that all the time. I was also in foster care for a little bit, and being that support for others is something I’ve always wanted to be.” Jaimee was part of the first NMHWAC cohort. The program gave her study tools, access to additional training, and helped paid for her licensure exam, which she passed with flying colors!
For Liza, the decision to become a therapist came while working with the Department of Family and Children Services. “I was a foster care case manager, and the children I worked with needed mental health support to help them overcome their trauma. I worked in north Georgia, where there is a huge lack of therapists and psychologists. There was no one to refer families to, so I thought, if it’s going to be someone, why not me.”
With encouragement from a mentor, she pursued her master’s degree and joined Wellroot as an intern before joining full time. “We need to create access to support, especially during this current climate. What we do today will impact generations to come.”
Both Jaimee and Liza are part of Wellroot’s effort to meet youth and families where they are. They serve communities where access to therapy is often limited. “Many of the families I work with have a deep mistrust of systems,” Jaimee said. “I take time to build that trust, because every family matters. That’s why this work is so important to me.”
Through NMHWAC and our family support services, Wellroot is helping build a future where every young person in Georgia has access to mental health care when they need it most. Suicide prevention is not just about responding to a crisis, it’s about building a world where hope, healing, and support are always within reach. If you or someone you know is in emotional distress, call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
