KNOXVILLE, Tenn., (May 3, 2023) – On the latest episode of Tennessee Talks, CEO of the Mental Health Association of East Tennessee Ben Harrington joined Rep. Tim Burchett (TN-02) to discuss the mental health crisis, how mental health is stigmatized, and what state legislatures and the federal government can do to better serve people dealing with mental health issues.
"Ben Harrington cares deeply about this issue," said Rep. Burchett. "His years of hard work and passion serving East Tennesseans has made more of an impact than he takes credit for."
Ben Harrington is a mental health advocate at the local, state, and federal level. In addition to his role as CEO of the Mental Health Association of East Tennessee, he has served on numerous boards including the Tennessee Mental Health Planning & Policy Council as well as the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network.
Since Harrington became CEO, the Mental Health Association of East Tennessee has received awards such as the American Psychiatric Association - Psychiatric Achievement Award for Mental Health 101, among others. He was also involved in the Tennessee Medicaid formulary modernization in 1998 which gave patients increased access to certain anti-depressants and atypical antipsychotic medications.
Episodes of Tennessee Talks are available on the show’s official website, Rep. Burchett’s official YouTube channel, and the following streaming services:
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This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://burchett.house.gov/media/press-releases/mental-health-advocate-ceo-ben-harrington-joins-rep-burchett-latest-episode