State board to host meetings on substance abuse, mental health

The public is also invited to provide public comment on mental health and substance use impacts.

The Alaska Mental Health Board and Advisory Board on Alcoholism will host public meetings in Kenai Tuesday through Thursday.

The meeting is public and community members will have the chance to learn more about the boards and their statewide efforts, a Sept. 16 press release from the state board said.

There will be presentations on local and statewide efforts related to mental health and substance misuse, including on local behavioral health efforts, substance misuse, trauma and child welfare, public safety, Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority updates, Statewide Suicide Prevention Council updates and a local teen panel on suicide prevention efforts.

The public is also invited to provide public comment concerning mental health and substance use impacts on the community.

At 6 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 25, at the Kenai Senior Center, there will be a public comment opportunity and community reception, where the community is welcome to comment, ask questions or express concerns related to mental health and substance use in the community. Comments will be taken in person or by call-in.

On Friday, the boards are hosting a “super advocate” training, which seeks to offer tools for advocating for policy or funding decisions affecting people with mental illness, addiction disorders, developmental disabilities, Alzheimer’s and dementia. The training is 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday at Peninsula Community Health Services. Interested residents can register for the free training by emailing advocacy.coordinator@alaska.gov.

The boards were created in statute as a way to provide advice, education, planning and coordination related to Alaska’s public behavioral health system, the release said. The boards also advocate with Alaskans who experience mental health and substance use disorders and their families to ensure that behavioral health services meet their needs.

A full agenda of the meeting can be found at the state’s website, dhss.alaska.gov/amhb/pages/default.aspx. Members of the community who want to comment can do so in person or by calling 1-800-315-6338, code 58920#.

More in News

Jason Criss stands for a photo in Soldotna, Alaska, after being named a qualifier for the Special Olympics USA Games on Thursday, July 10, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna athlete to compete in 2026 Special Olympics USA Games

Thousands of athletes from across all 50 states will be competing in 16 sports.

The entrance to the Homer Electric Association office is seen here in Kenai, Alaska on May 7, 2020. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
HEA opens bids for real property

The deadline to submit bids is 5 p.m. on Aug. 11.

Arturo Mondragon-Lopez, Jr. (right) attends a change of plea hearing related to the October 2023 fatal shooting of Brianna Hetrick on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, at the Homer Courthouse in Homer, Alaska. (Delcenia Cosman/Homer News)
Mondragon-Lopez sentenced for death of Homer woman

Arturo Mondragon-Lopez, Jr. accepted a plea deal in February for the shooting of Brianna Hetrick.

Soldotna City Hall is seen on Wednesday, June 23, 2021 in Soldotna, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Soldotna OKs $395,000 capital plan

This year’s list of capital projects is “nominal compared to some past years,” according to officials.

A map of areas proposed for annexation by the City of Soldotna. (Provided by City of Soldotna)
Soldotna adds annexation proposal to ballot

The proposed annexation is split across five small areas around the city.

Nets are extended from North Kenai Beach in Kenai, Alaska, during the first day of the Kenai River personal use dipnet fishery on Thursday, July 10, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
‘A really good day’

Kenai River personal use sockeye salmon dipnet fishery opens.

The entrance to the Kenai Peninsula Borough building in Soldotna is seen here on June 1. (Photo by Brian Mazurek/Peninsula Clarion)
Borough assembly to consider ordinance to increase residential property tax exemption

If approved by voters in October, the ordinance would increase the tax exemption by $25,000.

Vice President Kelly Cooper speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough Assembly in Soldotna, Alaska, on Tuesday, July 8, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Borough considers seasonal sales tax rate

Borough sales tax would be modified from a flat 3% to a seasonal model of 4% in summer months and 2% in winter months.

Most Read