Beverly Schoonover
Executive Director
If you, a family member or friend is hurting and considering suicide, PLEASE call Careline at
1-877-266-HELP(4357)
AMHB/ABADA
Board Meeting
To be determined.
Welcome to the Alaska Mental Health Board
The Alaska Mental Health Board (AMHB) and Advisory Board on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (ABADA) are the state agencies charged with planning and coordinating behavioral health services funded by the State of Alaska. The joint mission of AMHB and ABADA is to advocate for programs and services that promote healthy, independent, productive Alaskans.
Learn more about AMHB>>
News and Headlines
March 2020
Alaskans are feeling anxious, depressed and stressed as coronavirus unfolds. Alaskans know how to weather a storm by being prepared and asking for help when needed.
Call your doctor or local healthcare provider if you need medical attention, or if stress and anxiety are interfering with your daily activities for several days in a row.
Call and stay connected with your family, friends, and others in your community, especially elders and those with pre-existing mental health concerns.
Take care of yourself and each other, stay calm and know when and how to seek help.
We will weather this storm together.
February 2020
Advocacy MaterialsThe information sheets below are a brief snapshot of the most current data for Alaska. They were created in partnership with the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority, the Alaska Commission on Aging and the Governor’s Council on Disabilities and Special Education. For more information, go to the Trust’s
Joint Advocacy page.
January 2020
The Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority contracted with McDowell Group to prepare two studies,
The Economic Costs of Alcohol Misuse in Alaska and
The Economic Costs of Drug Misuse in Alaska. Each study examines costs associated with health care, the criminal justice system, lost or reduced workplace productivity, and public assistance and social services, as well as a range of other impacts related to substance misuse. The summary is
located
here.
November 2019
Joint Advocacy Report
This report contains bills and budget items that passed during the 2019 legislative session and affect Mental Health Trust beneficiaries. To read more about these bills, go to www.akleg.gov and type in the bill number in the Search box. To read more about budget items, visit the 
Division of Legislative Finance.
September 2019
Fall Board of Directors Meeting
The ABADA/AMHB Board of Directors meeting was held September 24th-26th in Kenai, AK along with a public comment meeting held September 25th. The agenda ishere. Please find a summary report of the meeting here.
1115 Medicaid Waiver Demonstration Project
The 1115 Waiver is fully approved, offering a broader range of services to fill existing service gaps and reduce Alaska's reliance on crisis services. The substance use disorder component was approved in November 2018 with implementation beginning in July 2019.
Read more in the Sept. 5, 2019 news release. Visit the 1115 Behavioral Health Medicaid Waiver page for more information.
July 2019
Alaska Epidemiologic Profile on Substance Use, Abuse and Dependency
The State Epidemiology Workgroup (SEW) released this summary to provide insight into prevalence, morbidity, mortality and societal consequences associated with substance use in Alaska.
Strengthening the System: Alaska’s Comprehensive Integrated Mental Health Program Plan (2020-2024)
The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS), in partnership with the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority (Trust), released this plan which assists with guiding resources to the services, workforce and facilities necessary to meet the needs of Trust beneficiaries. Trust beneficiaries include Alaskans who experience mental illness, developmental and intellectual disabilities, chronic alcoholism and drug dependence, traumatic brain injuries, or Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia.
January 2019
Recasting the Net: Promoting Wellness to Prevent Suicide in Alaska, 2018-2022 Statewide Suicide Prevention Plan
The Statewide Suicide Prevention Council calls on all Alaskans to recognize our roles in building resilient individuals and resilient communities so we can act together to prevent suicide.
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