A new task force aimed at addressing mental health in Mississippi schools began meeting at the state capitol in Jackson on Wednesday.
The K-12 and Postsecondary Mental Health Task Force, comprised of 24 members across government, education, and healthcare, will gather through Thursday and begin cataloging public resources available for mental health. Co-chairs Rep. Rob Roberson and Sen. David Parker have also opened the task force up to public testimonies and suggestions.
“It’s just very scary. It’s just a matter of trying to find the resources that are available out there to get these children the help they need as quickly as we can,” Roberson said during an appearance on MidDays with Gerard Gibert.
Roberson, a Republican who represents a portion of Oktibbeha County, added that time is of the essence when it comes to finding resources for students struggling with mental health. According to recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mississippi ranks 13th in the U.S. with 10.4 deaths by suicide per 100,000 residents ages 15-19.
“There’s a time crunch there. You really need to be hitting this fast,” Roberson said. “This is not something that can wait 48 hours or a week. We need help as soon as possible.”
Following the initial meetings, the task force plans to branch out to other non-profits and experts not represented on the committee. The public is invited to provide any insight to MHTF@peer.ms.gov that could offer aid in drafting future mental health-related legislation.
A full list of members of the K-12 and Postsecondary Mental Health Task Force is as follows:
- Dr. Jonathan Baker, UMMC Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist
- Sen. Kevin Blackwell, Chairman of Senate Medicaid
- Sen. Nicole Boyd, Chairwoman of Senate Universities & Colleges
- Sen. Hob Bryan, Chairman of Senate Public Health & Welfare
- Wendy Clemons, Associate Superintendent at the Mississippi Department of Education
- Rep. Sam Creekmore, Chairman of House Public Health & Human Services
- John Damon, CEO of Canopy Children’s Solutions
- Dr. Daniel Edney, State Health Officer
- Heather Garrett, Teacher and Science Chair at Brandon Middle School
- Joy Hogge, Executive Director for Families as Allies
- Emily Johnson, Clinical Psychologist
- Sarah Jones, Counselor at Jones College
- Melody Madaris, Executive Director at Communicare Mental Health Center
- Rep. Missy McGee, Chairwoman of House Medicaid
- Heidi Nelson, USM Director of Student Counseling
- Rep. Donnie Scoggin, Chairman of House Universities & Colleges
- Kate McMillin, Director of the Office of Mental Health for the Division of Medicaid
- Lynda Stewart, Director of the Division of Children and Youth Services for the Department of Human Services
- Julie Thornton, Head Nurse of the Pearl Public School District
- Jonathan Tritley, School Psychologist at the Jackson County School District
- John Robert Walker, Student Member of the Mississippi Youth Council
- Karla Weir, Assistant Professor in the Mississippi State University Counselor Education Department
