News and Headlines
1/12/18- Alison Kulas Begins Tenure as Executive Director
The Advisory Board on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, The Alaska Mental Health Board and the Statewide Suicide Prevention Council have selected Alison Kulas as their new executive director, effective Jan. 9. She replaces Kate Burkhart who left the position after nearly 10 years to become the state’s Ombudsman.
The Statewide Suicide Prevention Council recently released its updated five-year State Suicide Prevention Plan. The action plan stresses that all Alaskans play a role in building resilient individuals and resilient communities. To see the updated plan, please go to:
www.dhss.alaska.gov/suicideprevention
The State of Alaska recently submitted a Medicaid Section 1115 Behavioral Health Demonstration Application to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). To see the submitted application and a summary of the public comments received, please go to: http://dhss.alaska.gov/HealthyAlaska/Pages/PublicComment/1115waiverComment.aspx
Facing Addiction in America: The Surgeon General's Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health is a comprehensive review of the science of substance use, misuse, and disorders. This report, the first ever issued by the Surgeon General which speaks to the importance of the issues related to substance abuse. Previous reports of the Surgeon General, including those on tobacco (1964), AIDS (1987), and mental health (1999), have helped to create understanding and urgency to address critical public health challenges.
Alaska Opioid Policy Task Force
In response to Alaska’s heroin epidemic and communities’ call for action heard across the state, the Advisory Board on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority, and Alaska Department of Health and Social Services are convening the
Alaska Opioid Policy Task Force (AOPTF). This task force of Alaskan experts will work collaboratively with stakeholders and coalitions statewide.
Visit the
AOPTF Website to learn more.
Childhood Trauma Costs All Alaskans
What we experience as children affects us for a lifetime. The effects of childhood trauma go far beyond one child or one family, and can pass from generation to generation. Part of reducing the impact of childhood trauma in Alaska is getting educated:
If you or someone you know is in need of mental health services, treatment is available.
- Call 2-1-1 or visit www.Alaska211.org.
- Visit the online Mental Health Services Locator.
- Call the Alaska Mental Health Board at 1-888-464-8920.
- Call the 24/7 Treatment Referral Line at 1-800-662-4357 (provided by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration).
- Call the Alaska Peer Support Consortium at 907-258-2772 for information about peer support services in your community.
- Alaska’s Careline provides confidential 24/7 crisis support and intervention.
Alaskans can manage their emotional and mental fitness just like they can their physical health.
Learn about positive ways to improve and maintain your mental and emotional health from the Boards' Sound Minds in Sound Bodies campaign. Attend a training on how to identify signs of depression, how to reach out for support, and how to connect people to help.
Share how you are promoting personal and community mental 
wellness on our facebook page!
The Americans with Disabilities Act and Mental Health: Learn More, Be Empowered
Information and support for families of children and youth experiencing mood disorders: fact sheets, educational webinars, tools specifically for teens, support groups and more are all available.