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Alabama Department of Mental Health

News / Health / State

Governor announces $7 million in COVID-19 aid to bolster state’s mental health response

Gov. Kay Ivey on Tuesday announced $7 million in federal coronavirus relief funds to two programs aimed at strengthening mental health services in Alabama.  “COVID-19 has taken a toll on Alabamians in many ways, and that certainly includes their mental health. Like people around the globe, the people of our state are suffering, and I … Continued
August 11, 2020

Third patient at state’s Mary Starke Harper Geriatric Psychiatric Center dies from COVID-19

A third patient at the state’s Mary Starke Harper Geriatric Psychiatric Center has died from COVID-19, the Alabama Department of Mental Health confirmed to APR on Tuesday.  There remained 16 active coronavirus cases among patients at the state-run facility, said ADMH spokeswoman Malissa Valdes-Hubert in a message Tuesday. Those patients are in various states of … Continued
June 2, 2020

Two patients at Mary Starke Harper Geriatric Psychiatric Center die from COVID-19

Two patients at the state’s Mary Starke Harper Geriatric Psychiatric Center have died from COVID-19, the Alabama Department of Mental Health confirmed to APR on Thursday.  There remained 17 active coronavirus cases among patients at the state-run facility, said ADMH spokeswoman Malissa Valdes-Hubert in a message Thursday.  One patient at the facility has recovered from … Continued
May 28, 2020

Ten more COVID-19 cases at state’s Mary Starke Harper Geriatric Psychiatric Center

Ten more patients at the Mary Starke Harper Geriatric Psychiatric Center have tested positive for coronavirus.  Alabama Department of Mental Health spokeswoman Malissa Valdes-Hubert in a message to APR on Tuesday said there were 18 confirmed cases of the virus at the facility, which cares for elderly patients who are at more risk of serious … Continued
May 19, 2020

More COVID-19 cases at Mary Starke Harper Geriatric Psychiatric Center

Three more patients at the state’s Mary Starke Harper Geriatric Psychiatric Center have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total to eight. Two nurses at the facility have also tested positive for the virus, and tests are pending for other patients.  The Alabama Department of Mental Health learned Thursday of the latest confirmed cases of … Continued
May 15, 2020

State leaders unveil a major mental health legislative initiative

Wednesday, House Majority Leader Nathaniel Ledbetter, R – Rainsville, Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth (R), Speaker of the House Mac McCutcheon, R – Monrovia, Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh, R – Anniston, Alabama Department of Mental Health Commissioner Lynn Beshear, State Education Superintendent Eric Mackey, House Minority Leader Anthony Daniels, D-Huntsville, as well as the … Continued
February 27, 2020

“Alarming, concerning and appalling:” Taylor Hardin facility staff worried over safety for patients, workers

Workers at the Taylor Hardin Secure Medical Facility said in a 2018 survey that they are overworked in an unsafe environment with inoperable video cameras, contraband, racial and gender discrimination and unreported incidents.  Those concerns are valid, and there are worries that conditions at the Taylor Hardin facility in Tuscaloosa have continued to deteriorate in … Continued
August 21, 2019

The Mental Health Problem is Rapidly Becoming a Crisis

By Representative Christopher England I think I have seen enough. I have watched over the years as the Alabama Department of Mental Health and the state of Alabama has closed facility after facility all over the state on the promise that the cost savings would be re-invested back into the community. Supposedly, the money saved … Continued
February 12, 2015

Zelia Baugh Out as Commissioner of Alabama Department of Mental Health, Jim Reddoch Appointed as New Commissioner

By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter Alabama Governor Robert Bentley announced Tuesday that Zelia Baugh has resigned as the Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Mental Health.  Commissioner Baugh, cited family priorities as her reason for resigning.  Her resignation is effective June 30.  The Governor has appointed Jim Reddoch to take over the Alabama Department … Continued
June 27, 2012