The Mental Health Association of Rhode Island (MHARI) has selected House Majority Leader Christopher Blazejewski and Senate Deputy Majority Leader Melissa Murray as the winners of its 2024 Legislators of the Year awards.
The awards were presented to Blazejewski and Murray during a ceremony at MHARI’s annual May is Mental Health Month kick-off event on Wednesday. The MHARI praised Blazejewski for his advocacy in establishing Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) in the state, which are specifically designed to provide mental health and substance use services. The organization also lauded Blazejewski’s work on addressing the issue of homelessness and providing housing and services to unhoused Rhode Islanders.
In addition, MHARI selected Murray for recognizing the need for an ombuds process to address special education, and for sponsoring legislation to require annual status reports on low and moderate-income housing applications. Murray was also instrumental in extending the lifetime limit for Rhode Island Works benefits and increasing the monthly cash benefit to 50% of the federal poverty level.
“I’m grateful for this recognition of our work in the House, led by Speaker Shekarchi and with the support of many House colleagues. I’m also thankful for the partnership and hard work of the members of the Mental Health Association of Rhode Island and the many advocates, mental health professionals and volunteers whose efforts each day provide safety, dignity and support to Rhode Islanders,” said Leader Blazejewski.
“Their determination has improved access to critical services as well as greater understanding in our society that mental health is something we can and must talk about. I feel fortunate to walk alongside such dedicated advocates toward a future where every Rhode Islander can access all the support they need, without shame, and with the hope that comes with knowing they will be supported.”
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) assisted a What’sUpNewp journalist with the reporting included in this story.