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PAGE 6 FARMERS AND CONSUMERS MARKET BULLETIN – 404-656-3722 – agr.georgia.gov WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17, 2020

Guest Column: Above all, there is hope

By Judy Fitzgerald, Commissioner We also provide the Georgia Crisis and Access Line Above all, there is hope. There is always the belief that
Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and (GCAL) to help in a behavioral health crisis. Caring profes- things can change. Whether working in agriculture or in be-
Developmental Disabilities sionals are available 24/7 at 800.715.4225. Youth and teens can havioral health, we cannot do what we do without hope. It is
also text or chat with GCAL via the MyGCAL app (available time to tap into the collective reservoir of hope that inspires us
It seems challenging to make sense of the world around us in the App Store and on Google Play). to do the work we do.
right now. We are still trying to understand COVID-19 while There is almost nothing we can accomplish acting alone. On the days it does not feel like we hold that optimism, we
protecting ourselves and our families and continuing to serve While we are relying on our state leaders to take actions that can reach out to others who do. On another day, you will be the
Georgians who depend on us, whether for food or for men- demonstrate compassion and commitment to the health and source of strength for someone feeling deprived.
tal health. At the same time, the fiscal damage wreaked by well-being of our citizens and for peace and justice in our local We are drawn together in this unpredictable time with a
the pandemic is felt in every corner of the economy, and state communities, we are often asking, “What can I do?” unique opportunity. As we share our experience, our skills, our
agencies are facing difficult budget reductions. Farmers have What each of us can do is take the skills and experiences diversity, and our hope, we replenish Georgia’s capacity to be
struggled as they lost crops and workforce. Amidst this land- that we bring to our daily work, and apply them in our homes, the best of who we are, and who we are meant to be.
scape, we are now experiencing unrest and violence across our in our neighborhoods, and in any place the need exists. Re-
nation and close to home in Georgia as well, and we know that gardless of the setting, there are likely two common elements The Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Devel-
minority communities have been disproportionately impacted. to a successful helping process: listening and hope. opmental Disabilities (DBHDD) is the public safety net for
These surely are trying times. Listening is more necessary than ever, especially authentic Georgians with mental health needs, substance use disorders,
Many of us are sensitive to injustice, maltreatment, inade- listening which involves mutual respect and understanding of and intellectual and developmental disabilities. Our vision is
quate resources. You may be hurting, and experiencing your another’s point of view. Listening to individual and community easy access to high-quality care that leads to a life of recovery
own anxiety, distrust, disappointment, or uncertainty. Feelings conversations can be vital to meaningful dialogue that opens and independence for the people we serve. Judy Fitzgerald
of hopelessness, grief, anger, and sadness should be validated. the door to change. We are poised to lead by our example and has served as commissioner of DBHDD since 2016. For more
They are appropriate responses to the daily headlines. But we to demonstrate human connectedness that builds bridges. information, visit dbhdd.ga.gov.
should also remember that we have tools and resources to help
us respond.
We can draw from within ourselves to find patience, pas-
sion, and persistence that are now required of us in our com-
munities. We can deploy creative problem-solving skills that
unprecedented times demand. We, as individuals, profession-
als, consumers, and families, have a greater inner and collec-
tive strength than we often realize.
There are also resources that can help during times of need.
Shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic took hold in Georgia,
the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Dis-
abilities began offering two new resources to help people cope:
• The COVID-19 Emotional Support Line provides free
and confidential assistance to callers needing emotional
support or information about resources. Call 866.399.8938
daily from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
• 2x2: Daily Self-Care Tips and Support is a daily webinar
series providing mental health tips about managing stress,
grief, work/life balance, and wellness. Visit https://dbhdd.
georgia.gov/2x2-series to register for an upcoming session
or view archived sessions.

merCer mediCal moment: June is Men’s Health Month

By Stephen J. Smith Luckily, many of the top causes of death (heart disease, It is recommended that everyone 18 or older be screened
Mercer University School of cancer, chronic respiratory disease, stroke, etc.) have modifi- for high blood pressure, and those over 40 should be checked
Medicine able risk factors, meaning you can take measures to change every year. Many grocery stores and pharmacies have free,
Third-year MD Student them. Some of these risk factors include high blood pressure, quick blood pressure machines. A few times a year, when you
high cholesterol and diabetes. These often-silent problems are in the store or have another opportunity, take a couple
There is a time for everything can be identified and addressed with screening and regular minutes to check your blood pressure.
– a time to cry and a time to laugh, visits to the primary care physician. There are numerous Diet is also an important factor in men’s health. Remember
a time to plant and a time to har- guidelines regarding screening for many diseases, and the that half of your plate should be vegetables (potatoes don’t
vest. The month of June is a time best way to stay on top of them is to visit and rely on your count), and the other half can be split between whole grains
when we specifically recognize local doctor. and lean protein. Go light on the salt. If a man drinks alcohol,
men and boys, and we take time One of the biggest risk factors for rural American men is it should be no more than two standard alcoholic drinks per
to address topics specific to their smoking. Smoking increases your risk for each of the diseas- day (one drink = 1.5oz distilled spirits, 5oz wine, or 12oz
health and wellness. Unfortunate- es listed above. However, quitting smoking can drastically beer). Similarly, aerobic exercise—such as brisk walking
ly, the American man’s life expectancy is about five years less improve your health starting from day one. Within the first for at least 30 minutes, five days a week—can improve heart
than that of a woman. This is a complex issue, and there are day of quitting, your blood pressure can begin to decrease. health and reduce diabetes risk.
many contributing factors, but one big difference is that men Within the first year, your lung function can significantly im- June is Men’s Health Month, so let’s make a point to
are much less likely to visit their primary care physician. prove and within five years, your risk for heart attack can be encourage the men and boys in our lives to prioritize their
In the United States, many of us consider doctors’ visits to cut nearly in half. health. Encourage them to see a primary care doctor.
be an inconvenient and bothersome necessity – something to It can be difficult to quit, but the benefits are worth the Lifestyle changes are harder alone, so do it as a family or
be done only when we become sick. However, when we con- trouble. It is never too late to quit, and your doctor can help group. Exercise together. Eat the same healthy meals. Mo-
sider a country like Switzerland, which has one of the highest with related screening, coping strategies, alternatives and tivate one another and hold each other accountable. Men,
life expectancies worldwide, we find that they put much more even medication if needed. However, if you are not yet con- we often do difficult, uncomfortable things for our families.
emphasis on preventative health and primary care visits be- vinced, or are otherwise unable to meet with your doctor, Let’s be willing to be proactive about our health – not only
fore becoming ill. But why would a person need to see the there are still a few things you can do to prioritize your for our own benefit, but also for our family’s. There is a time
doctor if he is not sick? health. to prioritize men’s health, and that time is now.

FARMERS & CONSUMERS MARKET BULLETIN (ISSN 0889-5619) Gary W. Black, Commissioner Subscriptions to the Farmers and Consumers Market Bulletin are $10 per
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