Atlanta Region - Alliance Annual Report - March 21, 2025

ANNUAL ALLIANCE REPORT

U.S. Department of Labor
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Atlanta-West Area Office
1995 North Park Place, Suite 525
Atlanta, Georgia 30339
(678) 903-7301; Fax (770) 984-8855

Georgia Mental Health Alliance

Alliance Annual Report
March 21, 2025

  1. Alliance Background
    1. Date Signed
      April 1, 2022
    2. Renewal Date
      April 19, 2024
    3. Evaluation Period
      April 2, 2024, through March 14, 2025
    4. Overview
      The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH), Associated General Contractors (AGC) of Georgia, Inc., the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Georgia, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) of Georgia, Mental Health America of Georgia (MHA-GA), and the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD), Office of Federal Grant Programs and Suicide Prevention (hereafter all parties shall be referred to as "the Georgia Mental Health Alliance" or "GAMH Alliance") continue to recognize the value of maintaining a collaborative relationship to foster safety and health practices and programs to improve American workplaces. Specifically, GAMH members are committed to providing Georgia workers with information, guidance, and access to training resources that will help them protect workers. Additionally, the Alliance organizations will continue to address exposure to mental health hazards and/or work-related suicide and drug overdose issues.
    5. Implementation Team Members

      OSHA
      Marilyn Velez, Compliance Assistance Specialist (CAS), Atlanta-West Area Office (AO) Jeffery Stawowy (OSHA)
      Tom Bosley, Region IV Alliance Coordinator

      Alliance participant
      Rana Bayakly, Georgia Department of Public Health (Georgia DPH)
      Cherie Drenzek, (DPH)
      Antionette Lavender, Georgia DPH
      Kimberly Erukunuakpor, (DPH),
      Erin Clayton, Mental Health America of Georgia (MHA-GA)/ (Silence the Shame)
      Nick Farthing (Silence the Shame)
      Brandon Philpot (GA Tech)
      Adria Bryant (NAMI GA),
      Terri Murru (Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport Chaplain),
      Emily Gowan (DBHDD Suicide Prevention)
      Robert Chapman (Holder Construction),
      Kento Arendt (MHA GA)
      Charles Dansby (MHA-GA)

  2. Implementation Team Meetings
    • The Alliance group met of the following dates to discuss its goals and objectives.
      • April 19, 2023
      • August 9, 2024
      • October 11, 2024
      • February 14, 2025 (Not attended by OSHA)
    • In addition to these formal meetings, the Alliance coordinators from each organization maintained regular contact throughout the reporting period to monitor the Alliance’s progress and results.
  3. Results of Alliance Activities in Support of Agreement Goals

    Dissemination: Alliance Program participant shared information on OSHA-developed or OSHA Alliance Program-developed tools and resources, OSHA standards/rulemakings, enforcement, or outreach campaigns.

Dissemination Type

Date

Description

Emphasis Area(s)*

Number Reached (numeric value)
Dissemination April 19, 2024 On April 19, 2024, the Alliance group renewed the Georgia Mental Health Alliance. In addition to its original Alliance members (OSHA, Georgi DPH, and Mental Health America of Georgia), the agreement was expanded to include the Associated General Contractors (AGC) of Georgia, Inc., the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Georgia, the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) of Georgia, as well as the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD), Office of Federal Grant Programs and Suicide Prevention. Safety and Health Management System, Workplace Stress, and Construction 1,000
Dissemination April 19, 2024 In support of the Alliance renewal, the group conducted a mental health fair and kick-off event. The event was promoted as “Nurturing the Mental Health of Georgia Workers” Safety Stand-Down. A news release was issued, participants staffed exhibit booths, and each participating organization was provided with a banner to mark the event. Safety and Health Management System, Workplace Stress, and Construction 1,000
Dissemination Sept through Oct 2024 During this period, the Alliance group evets conducted in support of Suicide Prevention Month were promoted via OSHA QuickTakes. Safety and Health Management System, Workplace Stress, Youth Workers, and Construction 370,000 – Subscribers

Outreach Events and Training for non-OSHA Staff: Alliance Program participant or OSHA participation in events, which includes speeches/presentations, exhibits, roundtables, conferences, informational webinars or other meetings or training in support of the Alliance or an OSHA initiative.

Activity Type

Date

Event Name

Representative Name(s) and Affiliation(s)

Title Of Presentation
(if applicable)

City

State

Emphasis Area(s)*

Number Reached (numeric value)
Training/Presentation Sept. 2024 Suicide Prevention Month Member of the Georgia Mental Health Alliance During this period, the Alliance group a wide range of events in support of Suicide Prevention Month including the following:

1) Mental Health America (MHA) of Georgia conducted “Mental Health Academy Trainings,” which was a collection of evidence-based mental health awareness programs that educate community members to better understand mental illness/addictions and provide effective response options for de-escalation.

2) American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) conducted “Out of the Darkness Walks.” These walks continued from September through November 3, 2024, with the goal of serving as events for employers/organizations to create sponsorship opportunities focused on mental health.

3) The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) also conducted a Candlelight Vigil. This virtual event provided attendees with an opportunity to share stories, to honor the memory of loved ones, and to hear from others.

4) On September 21, 2024, Silence the Shame University conducted a “College Fest” on the campus of Morehouse College for Atlanta University Center (AUC) students. The event included exhibits, wellness zones, interactive workshops and presentations focus on mental health.

5) On September 21, 2024, the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) conducted the “2024 Teen Summit: Hope Changes Everything.” This event provided participants with a day of hope and included inspiring speakers, as well as uplifting music.

6) On October 5, 2024, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) conducted the 20th Annual “NAMI Walks Georgia.” The event served as a vibrant community gathering, which promoted mental health awareness.

 Atlanta, Valdosta, Doraville, and virtual events GA Safety and Health Management System, Workplace Stress, Youth Workers, and Construction 2,000+

Report prepared by Marilyn Velez, Compliance Assistance Specialist (CAS), Atlanta-West Area Office