Resources for Older Adults and Caregivers in Georgia


Georgia Crisis & Access Line (GCAL)
1-800-715-4225 (Toll-Free)Are you seeking help and information related to mental illnesses, drug/alcohol addiction, or developmental disabilities? Whether you need to get help in a crisis, access services, or find long-term support, GCAL is here for you, your family, friends, and clients.
GCAL, a service of the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD), is staffed by counselors who can connect callers with outpatient services, mobile crisis help, detoxification services, stabilization, and more. GCAL is available to people of all ages 24/7, in all parts of Georgia. To learn more, visit Georgia Collaborative or call 1-800-715-4225.
GCAL dispatches 24/7 Mobile Crisis Services to 159 counties in Georgia. This service sends a mental health professional to the home to assess people with urgent psychiatric needs. You may call on behalf of another person who needs help. It is ideal for you to be physically present with that person at the time.
Some common reasons for calling Mobile Crisis include:
  • Thoughts of suicide
  • Threatening violence or harm toward others
  • Altered mental status that could pose a danger to the individual or others. GCAL can link callers to a variety of related services. For examples, see here.
Aging and Disability Resource Connection
1-866-552-4464To speak to an information specialist about getting access to a variety of aging services, contact the Aging and Disability Resource Connection, a program of the Georgia DHS Division of Aging Services and Georgia’s 12 Area Agencies on Aging.
Other Resources
Mental Health AmericaTo learn about common types of mental health conditions, see the Mental Health America website.
Alzheimer’s Association – Georgia Chapter
1-800-272-3900For information and help related to Alzheimer’s Disease and other forms of dementia, contact the Alzheimer’s Association’s 24/7 Helpline.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-TALK (8255)If you or someone you know is in crisis and would like to talk to a crisis counselor, call the free and confidential National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. TTY users should call 1-800-799-4TTY (1-800-799-4889). You can talk to a counselor 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call the Lifeline:
  • To talk to someone who cares
  • If you feel you might be in danger of hurting yourself
  • If you’re concerned about a family member or friend
  • To find referrals to mental health treatments and services in your area.
Always call 911 if you are in an immediate medical crisis.
Medicare and Your Mental Health BenefitsThis official government booklet has information about mental health benefits for people with Original Medicare, including:
  • Who is eligible
  • Outpatient and inpatient benefits
  • Prescription drug coverage
  • Help for people with limited income and resources
  • Where to get the help you need.

Understanding Mental Health in Senior Citizens

Fuqua Center for Late-Life Depression
404-712-6941The Fuqua Center, an initiative of Emory University Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health Sciences, participates in a statewide network that offers outreach, resources, and treatment.
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