Macon Head Space and the Southern Center for Choice Theory held a Mental Health Pop-Up Gym in Mattie Jones Hubbard Park. "We're in an area that has high crime and high poverty rates," said the Executive Director of Macon Head Space, Nancy Jo Cleveland. "If we don't find alternative ways other than law enforcement to combat these issues, we won't see the reduction in youth violence and crime that we want." With this in mind, the event included a Zen Tea Garden, yoga, poetry, and group meditation. "There are so many ways to help people's mental health aside from sitting in an office," said the Director of the Southern Center for Choice Theory, Gloria Cisse. "These adjuncts to therapy really kind of support people's mental health in a way that folks don't even understand." In Macon's Pleasant Hill, guests sat together to practice breathing techniques and enjoy being outdoors. Cleveland said it was important to give local residents access to mental health services within walking distance of their homes. "Normalizing the conversation regarding Mental Health is incredibly important. The Macon Mental Health Matters initiative is at the forefront of addressing the access issue in our state," said Andrea Cooke. Source
