MONICA JOHNSON BEHAVIORAL HEALTH LEADERSHIP AWARD

Monica Johnson, MA, LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor) is the Director of 988 & Behavioral Health Crisis Coordinating Office at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)/U S Health & Human Services Department (HHS) In this role, she is responsible for overseeing SAMHSA’s primary aspirations regarding the launch of the threedigit number, 988, including strengthening the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and enhancing broader behavioral health crisis services

Ms Johnson has worked in the behavioral health field for 26 years Prior to the appointment at SAMHSA, she served as the Interim Commissioner for the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD) Prior to this appointment by the Governor, she served in other key leadership roles as at DBHDD as the Division Director for Behavioral Health for 8 years, the Community Mental Health Director for 3 years, and the Child & Adolescent Mental Health Director for 1 year

Ms Johnson has worked in community behavioral health in a variety of clinical, management and leadership roles, including program development and implementation of federally funded initiatives Ms Johnson has overseen and successfully implemented several programs funded through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention & Department of Education

Ms Johnson earned an undergraduate degree in Psychology (minor in Communications) from Kennesaw State University and a graduate degree in Professional Counseling / Psychology at Argosy University Ms Johnson is a proud Alumnus of the Georgetown University Leadership Academy and a recipient of the Intensive Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Schizophrenia Certification at the Aaron T Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavior Therapy in Philadelphia Ms Johnson is also a proud fellow in the Milbank Memorial Fund Leadership Fellows Program

Ms. Johnson is the author of the book, Fab 30: Critical Leadership Lessons for Women. She is most passionate about developing future female leaders and promoting mental health wellness in our communities Ms Johnson resides in the metropolitan Atlanta, GA area with her husband, Richard Johnson, and sons, Noah and Micah