By Zach Hester, Reporter • zach@southerntorch.com (Photo by Governor's Office/Hal Yeager)

ALABAMA — On Monday, Gov. Kay Ivey (R-Ala.) announced the retirement of Lynn Beshear as Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH), effective on December 16.

Since taking office in 2017, Ivey's administration has placed great emphasis on expanding mental health services and initiatives across the state.

"[Lynn] has created a collaborative team approach within the Alabama Department of Mental Health to solve intricate problems regarding delivery of services for mental illness, substance abuse disorder and intellectual disability," said Ivey. "I am truly grateful for her service to our state and wish her best in her next chapter." 

Under Beshear's leadership, the ADMH has launched Stepping Up Alabama, an effort to reduce the numbers of individuals in jails with mental illness, expanded school-based mental health, and grew programs that deal with childhood and autism services.

"I am stepping into the next chapter of my life proud of the accomplishments of the department and am incredibly honored to have worked with such dedicated individuals who are committed to improving the lives of others," said Beshear.

Beshear will be replaced by her chief of staff, Kim Boswell, on the same day she retires.