Alyse Ley, D.O., associate professor and associate chair of education and research in the Department of Psychiatry – a shared department between the MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine and College of Human Medicine – was appointed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to the new School Safety and Mental Health Commission.
Recommended to the governor because of her experience, Dr. Ley also serves as co-director of the Adolescent Targeted Violence Prevention Project, a collaborative program between the MSU Department of Psychiatry and the National Policing Institute.
“I was honored to be considered for this inaugural committee,” Dr. Ley said. “I think we’re finally reaching a point where people are becoming aware of the need for these types of commissions and interventions throughout schools and in our communities.”
The inaugural 12-member School Safety and Mental Health Commission is tasked with providing recommendations to reduce youth suicide and strengthen the mental health of school-aged children, adolescents and their families with a comprehensive statewide approach. The commission will collaborate with the Michigan Suicide Prevention Commission, as well as educators, mental health professionals and other organizations to identify and support students who are at-risk across the state.
The commission will also work to engage public awareness regarding mental health issues and resources in the state.
“My hope is that we will help to support at-risk students, prevent suicides, aid in behavioral health issues, help teachers and members of community address these issues and support them in addressing these issues in our schools and communities,” Dr. Ley said.
“Every kid in Michigan has a birthright to a phenomenal public education and we need to work together to ensure they can thrive by investing in their overall well-being, including mental and behavioral health,” Gov. Whitmer said in a statement. “Since I took office, we have enacted four balanced, bipartisan education budgets including the highest state per-student funding ever and dedicated resources for school safety and mental health. Today’s appointees to the School Safety and Mental Health Commission will ensure that we use our resources effectively to keep our kids safe and learning in-person.”
The commission consists of individuals appointed by the governor and from recommendations by the state senate majority leader, speaker of the house, house minority leader and senate minority leader. Designees from the Department of Education, Michigan State Police and the Department of Health and Human Services will also serve as members of the commission. The appointments are not subject to the advice and consent of the state senate.