Manna Fund Inc.

The Missing Piece in Eating Disorder Recovery Eating Disorder Treatment In Atlanta Georgia

Contact Information
Make the Next Step Today! Call (770-495-9775)
Social Media Buttons
Donate

Mental Health Treatment

The Intersection of Mental Health and Social Justice – What Are The Impacts?

By

EmailBlog Images (15)

Social justice and its systematic impacts/inequalities are aspects that affect mental health and access to care. Mental health is not just an individual issue; it is deeply intertwined with social, economic, and political structures. Factors such as race, gender, socioeconomic status, and sexual orientation can profoundly influence mental health experiences. Here’s how these intersections play out:

1. Communities of color often face higher rates of mental health disorders, emphasized by systemic racism and discrimination. Access to culturally competent care is often limited, leading to untreated conditions and worsening mental health outcomes.

2. Gender-based violence, discrimination, and societal expectations can significantly impact mental health. The stigma around mental health can prevent individuals from seeking help, leaving them to cope with their struggles alone.

3. Individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds may lack access to mental health resources, facing obstacles such as cost, lack of insurance, and insufficient local services. Financial stress itself is a significant contributor to mental health issues.

It is important to become self-aware of how the intersections of your identities are impacted by systems and past experiences. Often times therapy can be a great way to gain insights on your personal impacts and areas of privilege vs oppression. Although it may prove to be difficult for individuals to change the systems that result in oppression and lack of access to care by themselves, there are few ways they can make an effort to contribute to methods of change.

Join a social justice movement! After becoming aware of systematic impacts on your identity, find a movement that you feel passionate about and get connected or find ways to donate/support causes that are important to you.

Educate yourself about mental health stigmas! Make an effort to help challenge the stigma surrounding mental health by engaging in open conversations and reducing barriers to seeking help as you share your own experiences and thoughts.

Explore Diverse Communities! Social justice initiatives often create supportive networks that foster community resilience and collective healing. These networks can provide essential resources and support for individuals facing mental health challenges.

Impactful change starts on an individual level. Tune in with yourself to unpack the complexities of your identity- you can start today!

 

-Zemirah Griffin, Primary Therapist

Mental Hygiene: Nourishing Your Mind As You Nourish Your Body

By

EmailBlog Images (14)

In western culture, we often prioritize physical health while neglecting an equally vital aspect of our well-being: mental hygiene. Just as we practice personal hygiene to keep our bodies healthy, we must also engage in habits that nurture our mental health. For many, it may prove to be beneficial if they frequent mental health providers just as much as they frequent medical/physical health providers. Let's take a deeper dive into what mental hygiene is and how you can incorporate it into your daily life.

What is Mental Hygiene?
Mental hygiene can be referred to as "the practices and habits that promote mental well-being and emotional resilience". It involves maintaining a healthy mental state through self-care, mindfulness, positive thinking, and often times mental health treatment/therapy! By prioritizing mental hygiene, we can reduce stress, improve our mood, and enhance our overall quality of life.

Practices for Mental Hygiene 

Mindfulness and Meditation: Allocate a few minutes a day to engage in mindfulness or meditation. This can help ground you, improve focus, and promote a sense of calm.
Connect With Others: While moments of being alone can be helpful and necessary, it is important to foster healthy relationships and connections with other people. Sometimes a small hug or a quick high five can end up being the highlight of one's day.
Engage in Physical Activity: Exercise can be a useful tool for mental health. Whether it’s a brisk walk, yoga, or dancing, physical activity releases endorphins that boost mood and reduce stress.
Connect with Nature: Spending time outdoors can have a rejuvenating effect on our minds. Nature has a calming influence and can help reduce feelings of stress and anxiety.
Practice Gratitude: Take a moment each day to reflect on what you’re grateful for. This simple practice can shift your focus from negativity to positivity, enhancing your overall outlook on life.
Establish Healthy Routines: Create a daily routine that includes time for self-care, hobbies, and relaxation. Consistency can provide a sense of stability and control in our lives.
Seek Professional Help: If you’re struggling with your mental health, don’t hesitate to reach out to a mental health professional. Therapy can provide valuable tools and support for maintaining mental hygiene.

Conclusion
Just as we brush our teeth, wash our hands, and visit our primary care doctor to maintain physical health, we must also take intentional steps to care for our mental well-being. By adopting practices of mental hygiene, we can cultivate a healthier, more fulfilling life. Remember, taking care of your mind is just as important as taking care of your body. A healthy mind leads to a happier, more vibrant life. So, start today—you and your mental health deserve it!

-Zemirah Griffin, Primary Therapist

Mental Health Treatment For Eating Disorders, Trauma Recovery, Medication, Anxiety & Depression

Welcome to Manna Treatment

Program of Manna Scholarship Fund

Mental Health Treatment For Eating Disorders, Trauma Recovery, Medication, Anxiety & Depression

MTC logo

Manna Treatment is an outpatient facility in the greater Atlanta area that provides mental health treatment for eating disorders, trauma recovery, and other mental health concerns (anxiety, depression, and the like).

Manna Treatment's core staff have a common core belief in the Christian faith. Like Jesus, we accept all individuals who have differing beliefs to participate in our programs. We do not force our beliefs on others and we are also willing to share our relationship with you if you want to understand it better.

We try to create a healthy staff environment in order to create a healthy environment for your treatment process. We focus on the principles of love, respect, and safety.

Please see our "Schedule Appointment" Tab for more information on connecting with Manna for treatment.

If you are interested in being an intern at Manna, please see this PAGE.

Appointment Request

What is Manna?

Manna Treatment is a program under the nonprofit organization, Manna Scholarship Fund. Manna Treatment is a psychotherapy practice located in Gwinnett County, northeast of Atlanta. Manna Treatment offers three levels of care: Outpatient that encompasses most mental health issues (e.g., depression, anxiety, grief, and family issues), and provides higher-level treatment programs (IOP, PHP) that specialize in trauma, eating disorders and adolescent mental health.

Eating disorder treatments include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder for all ages and genders. We have created well-planned and effective treatment programs for those who need Partial Hospitalization (PHP) and Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP).

Manna provides additional IOP treatment for:

  • Trauma-Recovery for Women - a 13-week program that focuses on providing coping skills, but will also address common issues that emerge as a result of PTSD, dissociation, and other issues related to trauma.
  • Adolescent Mental Health - for common issues that may have reached new levels for both families and teens (anxiety, depression, trauma, and the like). Teens who are struggling with coping with most daily issues (school relationships, family) that may engage in unhelpful coping (suicidal thoughts or actions, cutting, self-injury, sexual acting out) are best for this program.
  • Family Coping - for all families of individuals who are in any of our other programs, you may find more intensive support to cope with the changes you are going through.
  • PTSD Recovery for Vets and First Responders - this program will roll out in early summer, 2025. This will provide support for those who have risked everything and still struggle with some of the aftermath of their service.

Manna utilizes principles based on the Bible in the therapeutic process. We strive to be a safe environment where individuals struggling can process their feelings, learn new ways of coping and facilitate change. Our therapeutic approach is to show others how we believe that Jesus treated people, not through force or lectures.

In the Bible, "Manna" literally means "What is it?" It was in reference to the food supplied by God to the Israelite's when they were in the desert for forty years.

He rained down manna for the people to eat, he gave them the grain of heaven. Psalm 78.24

God knew what the people needed, how much they needed and provided. At Manna Treatment, that is what we believe about how food is to be used. It is from God, for us and is made to meet our needs. In the New Testament, Jesus becomes the "Manna" - "For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world." John 6:33

Therefore, Manna Treatment was designed to replace the "addictive process" of eating disorders with the true Manna, which is Christ himself.

In order to expand our scope of services and provide additional resources for individuals within the community, Manna Treatment has come under the umbrella of our nonprofit, Manna Fund.

Manna Fund's mission is:

To provide mental health treatment for those with eating disorders at the Partial Hospitalization, Intensive Outpatient, and Outpatient levels of care, utilizing multiple sources of revenue, for as long as the client needs such treatment.  Manna Treatment desires to support the client from surviving to thriving to leading.

CARF Corner

It's CARF Re-accreditation Time!

Manna Treatment is a participating organization under the Committee on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF).  Manna obtained its inaugural certification with CARF in December 2017 and obtained our second accreditation in April 2021. We successfully obtained our third three-year accreditation in April, 2024.

CARF is an international accreditation program and has more than 1,300 standards that organizations must meet in order to create and maintain a professional, ethical, and supportive environment.  Because of our CARF accreditation status, we are able to provide Intensive Outpatient and Partial Hospitalization services with insurance companies.

What does this mean?

Manna staff, clients, and stakeholders will be reviewed by two different CARF assessors: one for business practices and one for clinical services. At Manna Treatment, we strive to create an environment of safety, acceptance, and excellence - in creating a sustainable business with excellence in all business practices, in creating a healthy environment in which clients, staff, and stakeholders can feel respected and supported, and in utilizing our resources wisely.

What can I do?

You can help support Manna! We would love to have your feedback: positive, constructive criticism, suggestions for growth, or the like. If you would like to provide feedback, please do here:

 

 

We would also love to have your input on our updated Strategic Plan:

 

If you would like to receive treatment or refer a client to Manna, please click on either of the following links, and our Front office Administrators will be glad to get you connected:

 

 

Manna's current response to the COVID19 Pandemic:

    • The leadership at Manna have maintained the safety standards of the CDC while we have been enduring this pandemic. Currently, Manna Staff and clients are required to check in and take their temperature each time that they enter the building; they are not allowed to enter if their temperature is above 99.5 degrees.  In addition, Manna is doing the following to ensure the safety of everyone:
        • Requiring all to wear their mask while they are traveling in common areas throughout the building (hallways, lobby, bathrooms, etc.)

       

        • Engaging in a cleaning schedule every three hours to disinfect commonly used areas

       

        • Asking every person who uses the bathrooms to complete a checklist prior to leaving the bathroom to ensure the safety of others

       

        • Providing touchless sanitizers in the lobby and near the bathrooms

       

      Manna is providing online and in-person treatment options for each person's personal comfort.  We will continue to engage in these practices (as suggested by the CDC) for as long as is recommended by the CDC. The CDC's recommended procedures for remaining virus-free is HERE

      More on Manna's COVID Policies HERE