Atlanta Region - Alliance Annual Report - March 13, 2026

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 13, 2026

  1. Alliance Background
    1. Date Signed
      April 1, 2022
    2. Renewal Date
      April 19, 2024
    3. Evaluation Period
      March 15, 2025, through March 13, 2026
    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 "GMHA Alliance") continue to recognize the value of maintaining a collaborative relationship to foster safety and health practices and programs to improve American workplaces. Specifically, GMHA 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), OSHA’s Atlanta-West Area Office
      Jeffery Stawowy, Area Director (AD), OSHA’s Atlanta-West Area Office
      Tom Bosley, Regional Alliance Coordinator, OSHA’s Atlanta Regional Office

      Alliance Participant
      Rana Bayakly, (Georgia DPH)
      Cherie Drenzek, (Georgia DPH)
      Antionette Lavender, (Georgia DPH)
      Kimberly Erukunuakpor, (Georgia 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 on the following dates to discuss its goals and objectives.
      • April 4, 2025
      • June 13, 2025
      • August 8, 2025
      • December 19, 2025
      • February 13, 2026
    • 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 participants 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 Sept 2025 Holder Construction developed a webpage and QR code stickers to promote mental health and suicide related materials developed by GMHA members. Also, the Associated General Contractors of Georgia developed two stand-down webpages to promote resources and local events related to mental health and suicide prevention. Safety and Health Management System, Workplace Stress, and Construction 1,000
Dissemination Sept through Oct 2025 During this period, the Alliance group events conducted in support of Suicide Prevention Month were promoted via stand-downs, Alliance members webpages and newsletters, and partnership sites. Safety and Health Management System, Workplace Stress, Youth Workers, and Construction 5,000+
Dissemination Dec 2025 through April 2026 The GMHA joined forces with the Georgia Struck by Alliance and Wage and Hour Division in the creation of a safety stand-down themed “Score Goals at Work by Cooling Down Your Mind and Body!” and a virtual webinar titled “Score Goals at Work by Using OSHA and Wage & Hour Division Compliance Tools”. A variety of safety toolbox talks were developed addressing the connection between exposure to heat/hot environments, mental health and workplace injuries. A press release and QuickTakes story are under development to promote both registration for the stand-down and April 8 webinar. Safety and Health Management System, Workplace Stress, and Construction 10,000+

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 2025 Suicide Prevention Month The Georgia Mental Health Alliance Group

During this period, the Alliance group conducted a wide range of events in support of Suicide Prevention Month. These events included the following activities:

1) Mental Health America (MHA) of Georgia conducted “Mental Health Academy Trainings,” which was a collection of evidence-based mental health awareness programs that educated community members. The goal was to help community members better understand mental illness, addictions, and to provide effective response options for de-escalation. This event was conducted September 17 through October 30, 2025.

2) American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) conducted “Out of the Darkness Walks.” These walks continued from September through November 2025, 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) 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 October 4, 2025, 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.

5) On September 8, 2025, MEJA Construction at its Riverdale Early Learning OSHA Strategic Partnership (OSP) site conducted a stand-down focused on mental health and suicide prevention.

6) On September 9, 2025, Brasfield & Gorrie at its Switch North Data Canter OSHA Strategic Partnership (OSP) site conducted a stand-down focused on mental health and suicide prevention.

7) On September 12, 2025, Holder Construction at its Concourse D Widening OSHA Strategic Partnership (OSP) site hosted a hybrid Mental Health Panel with representatives from the GMHA.

8) Silence the Shame hosted the Silence the Shame University Fest at Morehouse College on August 28, 2025. The program featured informational tables, which provided mental health resources to college students.

 Atlanta, Valdosta, Doraville, and virtual events GA Safety and Health Management System, Workplace Stress, Youth Workers, and Construction 4,000+

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