Marcie Timmerman has been Executive Director of MHA Kentucky since April 2017. She holds a masters in health administration from the University of Kentucky College of Public Health. She possesses strong skills and expertise in health policy, social media, nonprofit fundraising, and peer support. Ms. Timmerman’s previous roles include social media communications for Kentucky Equal Justice Center and the #InsureKY coalition. She served as Board President and outreach coordinator for NAMI Lexington, Lexington manager of NAMIWalks, as well as owning and operating Timmerman Consulting — a local marketing and social media startup. She continues to be champion of Participation Station and remains on the KYSTARS Advisory Board. In total, she has been in mental health education and advocacy for over 15 years.
Under Ms. Timmerman’s leadership MHA of Kentucky is committed to continue as a strong voice for those living with mental illness. MHA of Kentucky also looks to offer more programs that benefit those living with mental illness, as well as to reduce and even eliminate the stigma surrounding mental illness through education and advocacy.
2023 Board Members
President: Mary Malone, RN, BSN, MA, MSN, B.Th.
Vice-President: Sheila Schuster, PhD
Treasurer: Andrea Jones, APSS
Secretary: William “Bill” McCann, Jr.
Board Member: Rachelle Seger
Board Member: Angie Judd, LCSW
Mental Health America of Kentucky
A Brief History
Mental Health America of Kentucky is the Commonwealth’s longest service mental health organization. Next year, we will celebrate our 65th year. Our documented history is 18-pages long. For this application, A VERY brief summary is included. In early 1951, with the backing and encouragement of Barry Bingham, Sr. and Dr. S. S. Ackerly, the Council of Jewish Women began an effort to build up interest in a statewide mental health organization. The group gathered in Louisville and formed and incorporated the Kentucky Association for Mental Health. The first and foremost aim of the Association was to protect and promote the interest of the mentally ill.
The first real achievement of the members of the association, in conjunction with medical professionals and governmental leaders, was the creation of a Department of Mental Health. Frank M. Gaines, M.D. became the first Commissioner of that department. During the ’60s, the number one priority for the Association was the Kentucky Department for Mental Health budget and funding for mental health services. With our assistance, twelve Regional Mental Health Centers were operating in Kentucky with federal income of $2 million and other income of approximately $1 million.
The ’70s highlighted the area of prevention for Kentucky’s school systems. The ’70s saw a dramatic number of patients discharged from mental hospitals without proper plans for care. We protested this and were able to effect change on behalf of these patients.
During the ‘80s, the association was instrumental in helping establish the Kentucky Mental Health Coalition, a coalition still active today.
The ’90s continued to be a decade of education of the Commonwealth. The inaugural Mental Health Institute was held. During this decade, through donations, our scholarship program began.
The legislative priority for 2000 was mental health care parity. Upon passage of parity, Mental Health America of Kentucky began in earnest to provide education and scholarships for the Commonwealth.
From 2010 until today, Mental Health America of Kentucky provides training to professionals, consumers and the general public. We promote programs of Living Your Life Well, B4Stage4, Trauma-Informed Care, and scholarships to college students. We continue to make a difference in the lives of those with mental illness. We’re looking forward to our next 65 years.
