Advantage

10/15/2026

Today is Global Peer Support Celebration Day — and we are taking a moment to honor the heart of what we do.

Peer support is more than a service. It is a connection built on shared experience, mutual respect, and the unshakeable belief that recovery is possible. Every day, our peer specialists and recovery coaches show up for the people we serve — not just as professionals, but as living proof that things can get better.

To our peer support team at Advantage Behavioral Health Systems: we see you, we value you, and we celebrate you today and every day.

To anyone out there who is struggling — you are not alone. There are people in your corner who truly understand, because they have been there too.

10/15/2026

🌟 NOW HIRING: Registered Nurse (RN) 🌟
Use your nursing expertise where it matters most! In our 24/7 Crisis Center, you'll be the skilled, compassionate presence that helps individuals navigate their darkest moments and find hope for recovery and healing!

What You'll Do:
▪️ Provide direct nursing care in a crisis stabilization setting
▪️Conduct assessments and administer medications
▪️Lead crisis intervention and de-escalation efforts
▪️Collaborate with an interdisciplinary care team
▪️Monitor patient safety and respond to behavioral emergencies

What We Need:
▪️Current RN license (required)
▪️Associate's or Bachelor's Degree in Nursing (BSN preferred)
▪️BLS Certification
▪️Experience in behavioral health, psychiatric, or crisis nursing strongly preferred
▪️Strong de-escalation and problem-solving skills

What We Offer:
▪️Incredible benefits package
▪️10% 401k match
▪️Fast-paced, supportive work environment

Why Join Us:
Make an immediate impact in the lives of individuals experiencing behavioral health crises. Work in a dynamic environment where your skills save lives.

Ready to make a difference? Apply today!
https://advantagebhs.org/employment

10/15/2026

We love seeing our community partners in action!

The Athens-Clarke County Police Department recently visited Gaines Elementary School during Community Helper Week, where Pre-K students got to meet Lt. Rivera and learn how officers are here to help and keep them safe.

This is what community looks like — building trust, making connections, and showing the next generation that they are supported. At Advantage Behavioral Health Systems, we are proud to work alongside partners like ACCPD who share our commitment to a healthier, stronger community for everyone in Northeast Georgia.

Great work, Lt. Rivera and the Athens-Clarke County Police Department!

10/12/2026

Join the Georgia General Assembly Working Group on Addiction and Recovery for a policy discussion and briefing via Zoom on Tuesday 13 October 2026

🟣 A Special National Prevention Month Event
🟣 The Importance of Prevention in the Georgia Recovery Community

Tuesday 13 October
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
VIA Zoom
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7434712140
Meeting ID: 743 471 2140

Co-Chairs: Senator Randy Robertson, Senator Sonya Halpern , Representative Matthew Gambill, and Representative Michelle Au

Moderator: Jeff Breedlove

Dr. Chasity Daniels
School Counselor/SEL Liaison
Atlanta Public Schools

Cammie Wolf Rice
Founder CWC Alliance

John Mandy Bringuel
Statewide Project Director

Georgia Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention Initiative

Rachel Kayden
Program Director of Forsyth County Drug Awareness Council

10/10/2026

The Morgan County GA Sheriff's Office was proud to participate in the You Matter Mental Health Awareness Festival on September 26, 2026 in Madison's Town Park. 💙

This incredible community event brought together local mental health resources, organizations, and neighbors for a day of connection, education, and support. It was a great reminder that mental health affects all of us — and that no one has to face it alone.

We are committed to being more than just a response to crisis. Events like this allow us to build relationships, connect residents with resources, and show up for our community in meaningful ways.

Thank you to everyone who organized and attended — we look forward to seeing this event grow!

Pictured: Sheriff Hooks, Lisa Guest, and Sgt. Newsome

10/09/2026

Advantage Behavioral Health Systems is committed to our community, and that commitment doesn't waver.

Following the decision reached by the Athens-Clarke County Commission on October 6, 2026, Advantage Behavioral Health Systems would like to emphasize the work committed to our community.

Advantage is proud to be part of a community driven network of local providers, law enforcement, and downtown business representatives who are currently developing a comprehensive, collaborative, coordinated response to engage, assess, and provide a pathway towards stability, no matter the person, no matter the need. Advantage would not be able to undergo this response alone, and we are thankful for our partners and their efforts to provide resources and support in needs of crisis management, shelter, personal care, and short-term housing solutions.

Advantage and its partners recognize the sensitivity and multiple factors involved in response, and we will continue to communicate with transparency, coordinate our partners with distinct roles combining for a unified web of support, coordination, and resolution.

Advantage encourages members of our community to stay tuned for updates in our process in the coming weeks as we continue coordinating and developing pathways towards stability and long-term success in this collaborative effort.

1st Step Inc.
Acceptance Recovery Center, Inc.
Athens-Clarke County Police Department
Athens Homeless Coalition
Bigger Vision of Athens
The Salvation Army of Athens, GA
Sparrow's Nest Athens
The Twin Angels

10/06/2026

Eating disorders are serious, complex, and often misunderstood — but they are also treatable. Whether it's anorexia nervosa, binge eating disorder, or bulimia, these conditions affect both physical and mental health and touch the lives of people in every community, including our own here in Northeast Georgia.

Recovery is possible, and you don't have to face this alone. 💙

Eating disorders—such as anorexia nervosa, binge eating, and bulimia—can affect a person’s physical and mental health. In some cases, they can be life-threatening.

However, with treatment, full : samhsa.gov/mental-health/what-is-mental-health/conditions/eating-disorders

10/06/2026

We are absolutely beaming with pride today!
Please join us in congratulating Candence Pinkard, HIV Educator at Advantage Behavioral Health Systems, on receiving the prestigious Big Heart Award at the 2026 Imagine Hope Annual Gathering held September 15-17th!

This beautiful recognition is a perfect reflection of who Candence is every single day. Her passion for HIV education, her dedication to HIV and Hepatitis C testing, and her tireless commitment to connecting individuals to life-changing care have made a real and lasting difference in the lives of so many people across our community.

Candence, your big heart shows in everything you do. You show up, you care deeply, and you make our community healthier and stronger because of it. This award could not have gone to a more deserving person.

We are so incredibly proud of you! Congratulations, Candence!

10/06/2026

Real People. Real Results. Real Recovery.

At Advantage Behavioral Health Systems, we don't just talk about making a difference - we measure it.

Using the SAMHSA Unified Performance Reporting Tool (SUPRT-C), we track our clients' needs from the moment they walk through our doors to six months into their care. The results speak for themselves.

In Just 6 Months of Care:
Medical Services: 24% → 0%
Court Compliance: 20% → 0%
Better Parenting: 16% → 3%
Drug Reduction: 15% → 5%
Employment: 23% → 8%
Housing: 28% → 10%
Relationships: 35% → 13%
Educational Goals: 12% → 5%
Symptoms: 53% → 36%

These numbers represent real people in our community who came to us carrying enormous challenges - and who, with the right support, are building healthier, more stable lives.

This is why we do what we do. And this is why getting help works.

If you or someone you love is struggling, please reach out. Recovery is possible, and the data proves it. 💙

10/05/2026

October is World Bullying Prevention Month, and this one is close to our hearts.

We see every day how the pain of being bullied - whether it happened recently or years ago - can leave real marks on a person's mental health and sense of self-worth. You are not alone in that, and those feelings are valid.

But we also believe deeply in the power of kindness. One person choosing to include someone who feels left out, one friend checking in at the right moment, one bystander who speaks up - those moments matter more than you know.

This October, we're asking our Northeast Georgia community to be Unapologetically Kind. To look out for one another. To create spaces where every person feels seen, valued, and safe.

And if you or someone you love is carrying the weight of bullying - past or present - please know that help and healing are always possible. We're here for you.

Because at Advantage, we believe that every person deserves to feel like they belong.

If you are in crisis, help is available 24/7:
Georgia Crisis & Access Line: 1-800-715-4225
Crisis Walk-In Center: 240 Mitchell Bridge Road, Athens, GA 30606