(NASHVILLE, TN), October 16, 2009 — State Senator Doug Overbey (R-Maryville) has been appointed to the Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Statewide Planning and Policy Council. The appointment was made by Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey in Nashville this week.

“I am very pleased to be appointed to this Council” said Sen. Overbey, who serves on the Health and Human Resources Committee in the Senate, which oversees matters involving mental health and developmental disability issues. “I look forward to being a part of working with my colleagues on the Council to improve opportunities for these citizens.”

Overbey has introduced numerous bills over the past several years to help citizens in need of mental health services, including a law passed this year that would ensure that crisis services continue to be available. That new law requires the Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities to coordinate with other departments and agencies of state government to make sure that services for persons in psychiatric emergencies include a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week toll free telephone number, and walk-in triage screening, assessment, intervention and follow-up care. It also calls for access to in-house crisis care.

Overbey represents Blount and Sevier Counties in District 8 in the State Senate.

This entry was posted on Friday, October 16th, 2009 at 10:14 pm and is filed under Press Releases.
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