Georgia executive, legislative and judicial leaders have put $20 million and a bunch of lawyers, lawmakers and judges behind an effort to improve treatment and services for those facing mental health challenges.

Gov. Brian Kemp announced nine appointees to the Georgia Behavioral Health Reform and Innovation Commission Wednesday. Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan and House Speaker David Ralston each named six new appointees. Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice Harold Melton has already made three appointments—all judges.

"This legislative session, we allocated $20 million for local health departments to better treat mental health issues and doubled funding for the successful APEX program in Georgia schools to help students in crisis," Kemp said in a news release Wednesday. "Working together with communities and families, this commission of legislators, judges, subject-matter experts, and citizens will now examine how the state can improve access and delivery of behavioral health services for the people of Georgia."

"Mental health is an issue that impacts everyone in our state regardless of socio-economics, race, age or gender," Duncan said in the governor's office news release. "Because of this, it is vital we take whatever steps necessary to evaluate the things we are doing right, as well as those things we could improve upon here in Georgia. I applaud the members of this commission who are ready and willing to provide their time and expertise to this important issue. I have no doubt their recommendations will be insightful and meaningful as we work together to ensure our best days are ahead of us."

Ralston joined Kemp and Duncan in expressing high hopes for the effort.

"Mental health is a critical quality of life issue to the citizens of our state," Ralston said. "Led by Chairman Kevin Tanner, I know that this distinguished group of legislators and citizens will work together to improve service delivery throughout our behavioral health system."

Ralston thanked Kemp, Duncan and "colleagues in both the House and Senate for adopting this collaborative approach to achieve better outcomes." The commission was created by House Bill 514.

The governor appointed:

  • Rep. Kevin Tanner, chairman
  • Dr. Sarah Vinson
  • Dr. DeJuan White
  • Dr. Michael Robert Yochelson
  • Macon attorney Jason Downey
  • Dr. Joseph Bona
  • Dr. Karen Bailey
  • Miriam Shook
  • Nora Lott Haynes

Duncan's Appointees are:

  • Sen. Renee Unterman
  • Sen. Donzella James
  • Turner County Sheriff Andy Hester
  • Wayne Senfeld
  • Brenda Fitzgerald
  • Cindy Levi

The speaker appointed:

  • Rep. Don Hogan
  • Decatur attorney and State Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver
  • LaGrange Chief of Police Louis Dekmar
  • Gwen Skinner
  • Kim Jones
  • Appalachian Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Brenda Weaver

The judicial members Melton previously appointed are:

  • Georgia Supreme Court Justice Michael P. Boggs, who helped lead Gov. Nathan Deal's criminal justice reform movement and who as a Waycross Judicial Circuit Superior Court Judge founded the Waycross Judicial Circuit Drug Court Program.
  • Flint Judicial Circuit Superior Court Chief Judge Brian J. Amero of Henry County, who has led accountability courts for people with drug use issues and child support challenges.
  • Bibb County Probate Court Judge Sarah S. Harris of Macon, who was recognized this year by the Council of Probate Judges of Georgia with the "Outstanding Probate Judge of the Year" award, voted on by each elected probate judge in Georgia's 159 counties.