This March 2 virtual panel featured Arkansas experts discussing mental health care during the covid-19 pandemic.
Nationwide, people have reported increased levels of stress, feelings of isolation and other mental health problems. Watch a recording of the panel below.
• Dr. Sufna John is a licensed psychologist and assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences who specializes in evidence-based mental health services for children and families who have experienced trauma.
She co-directs the Arkansas Building Effective Services for Trauma (ARBEST) program, which focuses on improving outcomes for traumatized children and their families in Arkansas through excellence in clinical care, training, advocacy, and research. She is nationally-certified to provide several evidence-based trauma mental health treatments.
She has published several research articles; participated in state workgroups; and given numerous local, state, and national presentations on topics pertaining to trauma in children and adolescents.
• Tyler West is serving his 9th term as a board member for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. During his tenure, Tyler has chaired the fundraising, public relations and public policy committees. West serves on the foundation's National Public Policy Council helping to build suicide prevention legislation on both in Washington, D.C. and in all 50 states.
He has been instrumental in passing many pieces of legislation that aim to make Arkansans and Americans safer. In addition to public policy work, he travels throughout the state and around the country providing suicide prevention training to schools, first responders, communities as well as the military and veterans.
West was the recipient of the Sandy S. Martin Grassroots Volunteer of the Year award in 2017. Gov. Asa Hutchinson also appointed West to the Arkansas Suicide Prevention Council.
• Dr. Tammy Alexander is a clinical psychologist with over 34 years of experience in the behavioral health field. She has worked in acute care and outpatient settings providing services to individuals of all ages and with a variety of behavioral health issues.
She has been involved in leadership roles in local and state agencies throughout much of her career.
Alexander serves as the Assistant Director for Behavioral health at the Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of Aging, Adult, and Behavioral Health Services. She is also the director of the project Promoting Positive Emotions crisis counseling services grant.
She earned a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Spalding University in Louisville, Kentucky, a master's degree in Psychology from the University of Central Arkansas and a Bachelor of Science degree from Hendrix College in Conway.
She has been the recipient of the Practitioner of the Year award from the Arkansas Psychological Association and the President's award from the Mental Health Council of Arkansas.
• Dr. Buster Lackey is the executive director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness Arkansas chapter and founding partner of The Center Health and Wellness in North Little Rock, which offers. physical therapy and behavioral health treatments.
Lackey serves with the North Little Rock Police Department’s crisis negotiations team as a negotiator and mental health adviser.
He is the author of several crisis intervention training books. He is married to Dr. Crystal Lackey. They have three daughters.
