HAZEL GREEN, Ala. (WAFF) – One woman is hosting a big event in two weeks, looking to help those struggling with addiction and mental health issues.
On April 27, Emily Ragland is hosting the second annual Hazel Green Alumni well-being check in. It’s an event where anyone struggling with addiction and mental health issues can hear testimony and advice of former drug addicts, all while having free food and drinks.
Ragland organized the first check-in last February. She says she noticed Hazel Green had lost many of its high school alumni to overdoses and suicides, so she created the event to show those in dark places they are not alone.
Ragland is a former addict herself, and she shared her powerful testimony to the dozens of people who attended the event last year.
“When they realized I was so open and honest about my addiction, they really appreciated that,” Ragland said. “It’s not pretty, but it’s the truth, and it’s made me who I am today.”
After last year’s event, Ragland says she helped 21 people get into drug rehabs, and 16 others into mental health rehab facilities despite none of them having health insurance.
“After the event, people started reaching out and saying, ‘I need some help.’ And you can’t help everybody, but I put forth my best effort to help as many as I can,” she said. “I know there were people that were helped, and I know there were lives saved. And that’s what this whole event is about.”
Ragland says around 70% of the people they helped are still in active recovery. She hopes to continue that impact again this year.
And this time, she has an upgraded facility on the Heritage Corner Farm and more speakers who benefited from last year’s check in.
State representative Rex Reynolds says he plans on attending the event. Reynolds has given Ragland a $2,000 grant each year to fund it, and he’s excited to see the benefits this time around.
“This is where we’re really bringing it to the community. We’ve got services there that’ll be highlighted during her program,” Reynolds said. “It was huge last year. It’s an awareness of what services are available, and a program like that may touch people we otherwise can’t touch.”
Ragland encourages everyone — Hazel Green Alumni or not — to come to the event if they need it, where they can get resources on mental health availability, local food banks and utility help.
The event is on April 27 at 687 Kinnard Mill Rd from 4 pm to 10 pm. Anyone who plans on going should RSVP on the Hazel Green Alumni well-being check in’s Facebook page.
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