Georgia Mental Health Parity Day at the Capitol is an annual gathering that brings together advocates, lawmakers, community
leaders, and families to champion fair and equal access to mental health and substance use care in our state. Each year, the
event highlights Georgia’s ongoing work to fully implement and enforce the Georgia Mental Health Parity Act of 2022, a
bipartisan law requiring insurers to cover mental health and substance use treatment on par with physical health services.
Hosted in partnership with organizations such as The Carter Center, Georgians for a Healthy Future, and the Georgia Parity Collaborative, the day features advocacy training, educational programming, and opportunities for participants to share their experiences directly with policymakers. Past programs have included discussions of the challenges Georgians still face—such as limited provider networks, higher out-of-pocket costs, and delays in accessing care—and have underscored the critical need for parity enforcement across insurance plans.
Hosted in partnership with organizations such as The Carter Center, Georgians for a Healthy Future, and the Georgia Parity Collaborative, the day features advocacy training, educational programming, and opportunities for participants to share their experiences directly with policymakers. Past programs have included discussions of the challenges Georgians still face—such as limited provider networks, higher out-of-pocket costs, and delays in accessing care—and have underscored the critical need for parity enforcement across insurance plans.
Recent events have shined a light on new tools to support Georgians as well as updates on enforcement actions against insurers
who fail to meet parity requirements. Participants also hear directly from state leaders and subject‑matter experts about progress
since the passage of the Parity Act and opportunities to strengthen Georgia’s behavioral health system.
This day also honors Georgia’s long legacy of mental health advocacy, including the influential work of Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, whose leadership helped shift public understanding of mental illness and expand community‑based care across the state and nation. Her legacy continues to guide Georgia’s commitment to making mental health care accessible, equitable, and stigma‑free.
Whether you are an advocate, provider, policymaker, or community member, Mental Health Parity Day at the Capitol offers a powerful opportunity to push for meaningful change, celebrate progress, and stand with Georgians affected by mental health and substance use challenges. Together, we can ensure that mental health is health—and that every Georgian receives the care they need and deserve.
This day also honors Georgia’s long legacy of mental health advocacy, including the influential work of Former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, whose leadership helped shift public understanding of mental illness and expand community‑based care across the state and nation. Her legacy continues to guide Georgia’s commitment to making mental health care accessible, equitable, and stigma‑free.
Whether you are an advocate, provider, policymaker, or community member, Mental Health Parity Day at the Capitol offers a powerful opportunity to push for meaningful change, celebrate progress, and stand with Georgians affected by mental health and substance use challenges. Together, we can ensure that mental health is health—and that every Georgian receives the care they need and deserve.