Mental Well-being - Integrative Medicine Initiative

Mental Well-Being Resources for Our Community

Integrative Medicine Initiative is not an organization solely focused on mental well-being. We are, however, a community of providers, practitioners, advocates, and neighbors who care deeply about the mental health of individuals and families in Oconee County, Athens, and the surrounding area.

Mental well-being is part of whole-person health. It affects our relationships, physical health, work, school, sense of safety, and ability to thrive. We believe support should be easier to find before someone reaches a crisis point.

This page shares what our community has already begun, what we hope to continue building, and local resources that may help individuals and families access preventative wellness, peer support, counseling, crisis care, and other forms of support.

Our Community Conversation

Oconee County’s First Mental Well-Being Conversation

In 2025, Integrative Medicine Initiative hosted the first Mental Well-Being Conversation in Oconee County.

The gathering was powerful. It brought community members together for an honest, compassionate conversation about mental health, access to care, prevention, and the importance of reducing stigma. Our panel included local leaders and voices from across the community, including Sheriff Hale.

This event was not intended to be a one-time conversation. It was a beginning—a reminder that mental well-being matters to every part of our community and that meaningful change happens when people, providers, organizations, schools, families, and local leaders come together.

We are grateful for the opportunity to expand the conversation and to create a practical, community-centered resource page. This page is intended to help people find local support options in and around Watkinsville, Oconee County, Athens-Clarke County, and nearby communities.

Our goal is not to replace clinical care, emergency services, or professional advice. Our goal is to make it easier for community members to find appropriate support, earlier and with less confusion.

If you know of a local organization, provider, support group, or resource that should be included on this page, please email us at admin@integrativemedicineinitiative.org.

Together, we can make this page a useful resource for connection, prevention, support, and mental well-being in our community.

Local Support Groups

Sometimes support is simply being with people who understand. The organizations below offer current local support groups, peer connection, education, and community-based support in Athens, Watkinsville, Oconee County, and nearby areas.

Please contact each organization directly before attending, as schedules, locations, registration, and availability may change.

Athens Parent Wellbeing

Athens Parent Wellbeing is a local nonprofit supporting parents and caregivers through pregnancy, postpartum, and early parenting. Current groups include Navigating Infertility, New Parents and Infants Support Group, Motherload Maternal Mental Health Support, Brave Solo Mamas, Dad Support Group, and All Ages Open Play.

Location: 1684 South Barnett Shoals Road, Athens, GA 30605
Phone: 706-363-0279
Email: support@athensparentwellbeing.org

The Cottage Sexual Assault and Children’s Advocacy Center

The Cottage provides free, confidential, trauma-informed support for child and adult survivors of sexual assault and child abuse, along with their families and caregivers. Group opportunities may include groups for children, teens, caregivers, adult survivors, trauma coping skills, healthy relationships, and trauma-informed yoga.

24/7 Crisis and Information Hotline: 1-877-363-1912
Business Phone: 706-546-1133
Location: Athens, Georgia

Project Safe

Project Safe serves survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and related safety concerns in Athens-Clarke, Oconee, Madison, and Oglethorpe counties. Services include a 24-hour hotline, emergency shelter, advocacy, safety planning, court support, and survivor support groups.

24-Hour Hotline: 706-543-3331
Teen Textline: 706-765-8019
Location: Athens, Georgia

Athens Community Council on Aging

Athens Community Council on Aging offers caregiver support groups, caregiver education, care management, and resources for people caring for aging loved ones. Its Grandparents Raising Grandchildren program provides support, resources, and connection for grandparents and other relatives raising children.

Phone: 706-549-4850
Location: 135 Hoyt Street, Athens, GA 30601

Alzheimer’s Association Caregiver Support

The Alzheimer’s Association provides support groups for family members, friends, and caregivers of people living with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias. Contact the organization for current Athens-area meetings and registration information.

24/7 Helpline: 800-272-3900

CANCER SUPPORT

Loran Smith Center for Cancer Support at Piedmont Athens Regional

The Loran Smith Center offers free support groups, education, counseling, wellness classes, and survivorship resources for people affected by cancer, including patients, survivors, caregivers, and family members.

Phone: 706-475-4900
Location: Piedmont Athens Regional, Athens, Georgia

PFLAG Athens Area

PFLAG Athens Area offers monthly support and discussion groups for LGBTQIA+ youth, young adults, parents, caregivers, family members, allies, and community members. Groups offer a safe space for connection, education, resources, and family support.

Location: Athens area

Meeting details are shared directly with participants for privacy and safety.

Grace Athens GriefShare

Grace Athens in Bogart hosts GriefShare, a structured support group for adults grieving the death of a loved one. The group offers practical guidance, emotional support, and connection with others experiencing loss.

Location: Bogart, Georgia

Serving Athens, Watkinsville, Oconee County, and surrounding communities.

Athens General Infertility Peer-Led Support Group

This peer-led group offers a confidential, supportive space for people navigating infertility, fertility treatment, pregnancy loss, and family-building decisions.

Location: Athens, Georgia

Contact RESOLVE: The National Infertility and Family Building Association for current meeting details.

Athens Area Commencement Center

Athens Area Commencement Center offers a continuing-care group for people who have completed initial substance-use treatment and want continued recovery support, accountability, and connection.

Phone: 706-546-7355
Location: Athens, Georgia

St. Mary’s Weight Loss Support Group

St. Mary’s Healthcare System offers a recurring support group for people working toward weight-management or bariatric-health goals. Contact St. Mary’s for current dates, eligibility requirements, and registration information.

Location: Athens, Georgia

IMPORTANT NOTE

This resource list is provided for informational purposes. Integrative Medicine Initiative does not endorse, guarantee, supervise, or provide clinical oversight of the organizations listed.

Schedules, locations, availability, and eligibility may change. Please contact each organization directly before attending.

If You Need Help Now

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 911.

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 for free, confidential support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Georgia Crisis & Access Line (GCAL): Call 1-800-715-4225 for 24/7 crisis support and help locating behavioral-health services in Georgia.
Advantage Behavioral Health Systems Crisis Services: 855-333-9544. Advantage serves Oconee, Clarke, Barrow, Jackson, Madison, Morgan, Oglethorpe, Walton, Greene, and Elbert counties.[georgia +2]
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.
Project Safe 24-Hour Hotline: 706-543-3331 for support related to domestic violence, dating violence, stalking, and safety planning.