Nevada Department of Education Director Christy McGill honored with Change Maker Award from NAMI Western Nevada
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Wed, 05/31/2023 - 12:17pm
The Nevada Department of Education is pleased to announce that Christy McGill, Director of the Office of Safe and Respectful Learning Environments, has been honored with the Change Maker Award from the National Alliance on Mental Health Western Nevada.
This prestigious award is given to individuals who have made significant contributions to mental health advocacy and support in the Western Nevada region.
"Christy is a true champion for Nevada’s students and is dedicated to making sure they feel safe and supported in our schools. In addition to being great at her job she leads by example, she is kind, caring and really takes the mental health and wellbeing of our learners to heart,” said Jhone Ebert, Superintendent of Public Instruction. “She is absolutely deserving of this honor from NAMI Western Nevada, her dedication and hard work in advancing mental health services in schools is making a real difference in the lives of students and families."
Christy McGill has been the Director of OSRLE since its creation in 2018. In this role, she has facilitated incredible mental health change within the school systems in urban and rural counties throughout Nevada. Her team oversees the use of school social workers and other mental health professionals in schools and is currently assisting schools in achieving sustainability for these services through Medicaid billing.
They have also assisted schools in becoming more skillful in responding the mental health crisis, suicide, and bullying through developing protocols and launching SafeVoice, the statewide anonymous reporting line for youth. In addition, she has been a strong collaborator with Children's Mobile Crisis and has assisted NAMI in launching the teen text line in schools throughout the state.
“Christy has advocated for rural mental health services for decades, bringing the conversation to every table for discussion until it was heard and acted upon,” said Edrie LaVoie, NAMI Western Nevada Board of Directors Member. Her perseverance has brought services to rural communities through her efforts as Director of Healthy Communities Coalition of Lyon and Story Counties, and now to the entire state through her role with Nevada Department of Education.”
"Christy McGill's leadership and unwavering dedication to supporting mental health services in schools across the state has been transformative in ensuring that our students have access to the critical support they need to succeed,” said Craig Statucki, Interim Deputy Superintendent for Educator Effectiveness and Family Engagement. “We congratulate her on receiving the Change Maker Award from NAMI Western Nevada, a well-deserved recognition of her tireless efforts to promote student mental health and wellness. "
As a resident of Lyon County, and the long-time director of Healthy Communities Coalition, Christy has been an advocate for children's mental health and integration of mental health into the school system for two decades. She has been a tireless advocate for youth mental health, and continues to fight for a system that supports youth with mental illness and in mental health crisis.
NAMI Western Nevada provides education, resources, and emotional support to individuals, families, and communities affected by mental illness. Their mission is to advocate for a life of quality and dignity for all those affected by mental illness and to end discrimination and stigma.
