Rockdale probate judge to host summit focusing on mental illness

Rockdale County Probate Judge Charles K. Mays has announced his office is hosting a Community Mental Health Summit to answer questions about mental illness and how to find the resources needed to help those living with the illness. The Community Mental Health Summit takes place on Saturday, Nov. 5, 9 a.m., at the Rockdale Career Academy (RCA), 1064 Culpepper Drive, Conyers.

Mays said the summit is really needed in Rockdale.

“My office deals with many people and situations pertaining to individuals with mental illness, especially since all lay affidavits come through the Probate Court,” said Mays. “The problem is that in many cases, we have had to repeatedly issue these lay affidavits over and over on behalf of the same family for the individual who is mentally ill.”

“Mentally ill individuals are often stuck, asking the question, What do we do? We need to find help and resources these citizens of Rockdale County.”

The event will provide information offered by a diverse panel of esteemed professionals, advocates and elected officials, to assist those who are caretakers of individuals living with mental illness. There will be panel Q & A sessions covering topics such as Medical Care and Treatment, Mental Illness vs. Developmental Disabilities, Lay Affidavits, Legal Awareness, Proper Diagnosis, Support for families, Housing, Support Care and Personal Care Homes.

The event is free and open to the public.

For more information, contact the Probate Office at 770-278-7700, and ask for Priscilla Nixon.