Submitted photoGeorgia Pines officials provide community based services for behavioral health, intellectual disabilities and substance abuse in more than six counties. 

May is designated for a focus on awareness of mental health. Georgia Pines Community Service Board works daily to end the stigma often associated with mental illness and will be participating in the May emphasis. Every Friday, staff is “going green” to get people talking about mental health. Starting conversations is the first step in ending the stigma, officials said.

Georgia Pines provides community-based services for behavioral health, intellectual disabilities and substance abuse in more than six counties. The staff works on focusing the community to understand that seeking help for any of these services is just like going to the doctor when you have a cold or regular maintenance for a health condition like diabetes. 

Statistics indicate one in four individuals will be affected by mental illness at some time in their life. Sometimes life stressors will trigger the need for services. 

Georgia Pines’ mission statement is that the staff helps people enhance life satisfaction and promote community and family functioning. Georgia Pines offers a variety of services, including individual/family therapy, psychiatric services, residential services, inpatient services for crisis or substance abuse and a variety of day services. 

For information, call 225-5208.