Along with welcoming in May as Mental Health Awareness Month, Mental Health America of Southeast Texas is also welcoming a new executive director in Julie O’Malley, who officially took over the leadership position on May 1.
O’Malley, who recently moved to Beaumont from West Virginia with her children and husband, Jeff, the new athletic director for Lamar University, comes to the local nonprofit with over 22 years of experience in education and advocacy.
The public is invited to join MHA on Monday, May 15, between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. in the auditorium of the Foundation for Southeast Texas at 700 North St. in Beaumont for refreshments and an opportunity to visit with O’Malley and MHA board members.
MHA of Southeast Texas’ Board of Directors include President Vernice Monroe; Vice-President Shelley Tortorice; Secretary Toni Mulvaney; Jennifer Barroeta; Rev. James Fuller; Allison Gilbert; Most Rev. Curtis J. Guillory; Mark Kubala, MD; Kim Phelan; Regina Rogers; and newest board additions Kathryn Sheppard and Sally Broussard.
MHA operates under a mission d i r e c t i v e “to promote the mental wellness of our region and enhance the lives of all individuals impacted by mental illness through community collaboration, education, and advocacy.”
Programs offered by the local MHA include educational outreach, participation in the Behavioral & Mental Health Consortium of Southeast Texas, the provision of resources and guides, as well as advocacy.
Part of MHA’s education outreach efforts include concerted efforts aimed at de-stigmatizing mental illness by providing training on the importance of mental health and how to ensure adequate treatment for yourself and those around you. Training and presentations are open to interested individuals, faith-based groups, professionals or community groups.
Getting involved in MHA at the local level intertwines with the larger care offered in the state – and in the county. MHA of Southeast Texas advocates for individuals and their families living with mental health issues by coordinating community awareness campaigns and supporting state legislative efforts with the MHA Texas Roundtable and the Texas Suicide Prevention Collaborative.
“We believe that by educating our policymakers and community about the complexities of mental health, we can change the perceptions that surround individuals affected by mental illness, leading to better access and care for all,” MHA shares of its mission. “As an affiliate of Mental Health America, we are part of a collective voice across the United States seeking positive change for all through the National Advocacy Network.”
