The Outlook

Governor Kay Ivey appointed Kimberly G. Boswell as Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Mental Health on December 16, 2020, stating, “She (Kimberly} has spent the entirety of her professional career devoted to helping struggling individuals and I appreciate her willingness to serve in this new capacity. Her background as a mental health provider as well as administrator makes her uniquely qualified.” Read more

Governor Kay Ivey announced along with Commissioner Lynn Beshear of the Alabama Department of Mental Health and House Majority Leader Nathaniel Ledbetter, the awardees of funding for crisis centers to serve individuals with mental illness and substance use disorders. Read more

Thank you to our State Employees and all our staff at ADMH! The week of September 28 – October 2 celebrated all state employees. At ADMH, we value and appreciate the dedication of our staff, especially during this challenging time of COVID-19. Governor Ivey recognized employees with a proclamation, thanking all staff for the “highest level of ethics, performance, customer service, and efficiency.” Read More

• Thank you for your flexibility and enormous effort during these challenging and uncertain times.
• It is imperative to know you play a critical role in stopping the spread of the virus; and our success depends on every person adhering to best practices, including wearing masks, continued practice of physical distancing, and washing hands frequently.
• Keeping space between you and others is one of the best tools to avoid being exposed to the virus.
• Together we can succeed in keeping everyone safe and healthy.

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Recently, we were asked by Governor Ivey to describe significant policy changes and how our work benefits the citizens of Alabama. Knowing that many of you offered valuable input toward the current ADMH Long-range Plan, we would also like to briefly update you regarding the department’s strategic long-range planning. We began working in November 2017 with the creation of our Mission and Vision statements, which are now on all ADMH official templates, the website and other materials. Read more

We begin the first months of Fall at the Alabama Department of Mental Health with a focus on the future in several innovative programs which work directly in communities to help the people we serve in important ways. Read More

Mental Health Awareness Month is the month of May and we are proud to celebrate it, showcasing programs and events that highlight our commitment. Our annual Strike Out Stigma Baseball Night was a success with local partners and providers at the stadium, offering resources and information to the game’s attendees Read More

A new Alabama Department of Mental Health website was recently unveiled after nearly a year of work by numerous ADMH staff and the state Office of Information Technology
The website offers an opportunity to showcase services and resources for those we serve in a clear and easy to access fashion Read More

The holiday season for most people is a fun time of the year filled with parties, celebrations, and social gatherings with family and friends. But for many others, it is a time filled with sadness, self-reflection, loneliness, depression and anxiety. Social isolation is one of the main predictors of depression, especially during the holidays. Read more…

Many Alabamians struggle with substance abuse disorders. The negative effect of the abuse is seen on the news almost every day. But the reality is, people do recover and go on to lead successful lives. Reducing stigma by openly talking about the issues, reaching out to family and friends and helping to get help are all important parts of recovery. Read more…

The “Securing Alabama’s Facilities of Education” (SAFE) Council was created by Governor Ivey on March 6, to study school safety. My goal as part of my inclusion on the council, is to ensure preventive and interventional mental health services are offered more widely in K-12 schools. Read more…

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week is also included in the celebration. These two issues are very dear to me and causes I have supported for many years. Read more…