Stuff that Matters, Ep. 49 - Monica Johnson, 988, Suicide Prevention & Awareness, Mental Health

<p>Monica Johnson, MA, LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) is a state and federal government executive leadership and has worked in the behavioral health field for 26 years and most recently served as the nation&#39;s first Director for 988 and Crisis Coordinating Office at SAMHSA. Prior to this she served as the Interim Commissioner for the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health &amp; Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD). Prior to this role she served as the Division Director for the Division of Behavioral Health for 8 years, the Community Mental Health Director for 3 years, and the Child &amp; Adolescent Mental Health Director for 1 year. </p><p>Ms. Johnson has directed a plethora of behavioral health service areas at the government policy level. she has led teams of seasoned leaders for 988 &amp; Behavioral Crisis Coordinating services, Adult Mental Health, Addictive Diseases, Children, Young Adults &amp; Families, Deaf Services, Recovery, Prevention &amp; Federal Grants &amp; Culture Competency, Field Operations &amp; more. Ms. Johnson has managed extensive budgets of over $600 million dollars, development of the strategic plan for community behavioral health programs, the development and oversight of policies and behavioral health practices, program development, and workforce development. Ms. Johnson is a seasoned executive leader with a proven track record of success. Over the last couple of decades Ms. Johnson has led the formation of several high-profile change initiatives, project management, chaired several collaborations, and served as a board member for a variety of governing boards.</p><p>Ms. Johnson has worked in community behavioral health in a variety of clinical, management and leadership roles, including program development and implementation of federally funded initiatives. Ms. Johnson has overseen and successfully implemented several programs funded through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention &amp; Department of Education.</p><p>Ms. Johnson earned an undergraduate degree in Psychology (minor in Communications) from Kennesaw State University and a graduate degree in Professional Counseling / Psychology at Argosy University. Ms. Johnson is a proud Alumnus of the Georgetown University Leadership Academy and a recipient of the Intensive Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Schizophrenia Certification at the Aaron T. Beck Institute for Cogni