HHS Appoints Members to Panel on Serious Mental Illnesses"We look forward to working with the committee to get individuals with serious mental illness the care they need," HHS Secretary Dr. Tom Price said. "For too long, our nation has let down Americans with serious mental illness, and the committee will help inform HHS's efforts to turn that around."Aug 17, 2017The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has appointed a group of national experts to guide a new initiative that will better serve Americans with serious mental illness, according to the department. The Interdepartmental Serious Mental Illness Coordinating Committee (ISMICC) was established by the 21st Century Cures Act to improve federal coordination of efforts that address the needs of adults with serious mental illness and children and youth with serious emotional disturbance; they often lack access to evidence-based treatment and supports and experience high rates of suicide, unemployment, homelessness, criminal justice involvement, and other negative outcomes, the agency noted, adding that HHS Secretary Dr. Tom Price has identified serious mental illness as one of his department's top three clinical priorities.The committee consists of senior leaders from 10 federal agencies that include HHS, Justice, Labor, Veteran Affairs, Defense, Housing and Urban Development, Education, and the Social Security Administration, plus 14 non-federal public members. HHS received more than 200 nominations.These national experts were selected to serve three-year terms:Linda S. Beeber, Ph.D., PMHCNS-BC, FAAN, distinguished professor, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill School of NursingRon Bruno, founding board member and second vice president, CIT InternationalDr. Clayton Chau, M.D., Ph.D., regional executive medical director, Institute for Mental Health and Wellness at St. Joseph-Hoag HealthDavid Covington, LPC, MBA, CEO/president, RI InternationalMaryann Davis, Ph.D., research associate professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Medical CenterPete Earley, authorPaul Emrich, Ph.D., under secretary of Family and Mental Health, Chickasaw NationMary Giliberti, J.D., CEO, National Alliance for Mental IllnessElena Kravitz, Peer Support Provider and manager, Collaborative Support Programs of New JerseyDr. Kenneth Minkoff, M.D., Zia PartnersElyn Saks, J.D., Ph.D., professor of paw, Legal Scholar, University of Southern California Gould School of LawJohn Snook, executive director/attorney, Treatment Advocacy CenterRhathelia Stroud, J.D., presiding judge, DeKalb County Magistrate CourtConni Wells, owner/manager, Axis Group, LLC