ATLANTA – State Representative Kevin Tanner (R-Dawsonville) recently received the 2019 Legislative A-Team Member Award from the National Alliance on Mental Illness in Georgia (NAMI Georgia) during NAMI Georgia’s annual meeting. Rep. Tanner was recognized for championing House Bill 514 during the 2019 legislative session, which established the Georgia Behavioral Health Reform and Innovation Commission.
“Mental health conditions impact the lives of approximately one in five adults with most conditions beginning before adulthood,” said Rep. Tanner. “The Georgia Behavioral Health Reform and Innovation Commission will conduct an extensive review of Georgia’s mental health system, including barriers to care and children and adolescent mental health, in an effort to improve our overall mental health system statewide. I am grateful to the National Alliance on Mental Illness for presenting me with this award, and I look forward to seeing the impact that House Bill 514 will have in our state.”
NAMI Georgia’s Legislative A-Team Member Award is given to state and local legislators in appreciation for taking the lead to improve the Georgia mental health support system.
House Bill 514 created the Georgia Behavioral Health Reform and Innovation Commission, which will conduct a comprehensive review of the behavioral health system in Georgia. The commission will review the behavioral health services and facilities available in Georgia, the identification of behavioral health issues in children, adolescents and adults, as well as the role the education system has in the identification and treatment of behavioral health issues. Additionally, the commission will review the impact behavioral health issues have on the criminal justice system, the state’s homeless population, delivery of care, access to care, the role of payers in such access and the impact untreated behavioral illness has on children transitioning into adulthood.
NAMI is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. The mission of NAMI Georgia is to empower affiliates to create communities where all affected by mental illness find hope, help and acceptance through support, education and advocacy. Across the State of Georgia, hundreds of trained volunteer leaders and more than 18 local affiliates work together to provide education programs, support groups, presentations and trainings to a variety of communities and groups. NAMI Georgia programs are provided at no-cost to participants.
For more information about NAMI, please click here.
Representative Kevin Tanner represents the citizens of District 9, which includes Lumpkin County and portions of Dawson and Forsyth counties. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2012 and currently serves as Chairman of the Transportation Committee. He also serves on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Education and the Education, Intragovernmental Coordination, Rules, Natural Resources & Environment and Special Rules committees.
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