Commissioner Marie Williams announces the appointment of Sejal West as the deputy commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.
“I am pleased to announce Sejal West as the new deputy commissioner for the Department,” said Comm. Williams. “As Assistant Commissioner, Sejal’s extraordinary passion for serving those with mental illnesses and substance abuse disorders helped lead the way for innovative and transformational progress in this State.”
Ms. West, 41, started with the department in 2010 and has served as assistant commissioner of Mental Health Services since January of 2012. As assistant commissioner, she directly managed the daily operations and budget for the division of mental health services which is responsible for providing a comprehensive array of mental health services, programs, and supports across Tennessee.
"Under her leadership, the division of mental health services was able to secure an unprecedented amount of federal discretionary grant funding in excess of $53 Million dollars. In her role, she has worked in collaboration with community stakeholders across multiple systems resulting in the development and creation of community based programs and supports. Under her leadership, the department has grown the system of care work resulting in children and families receiving high quality coordinated services and supports tailored to meet their individual needs. She has also led the implementation of OnTrackTN, an innovative approach based on the OnTrackUSA model providing recovery oriented treatment to youth and young adults who have recently begin experiencing psychotic symptoms," officials said.
“I am extremely honored and humbled that Comm. Williams has asked me to serve as the deputy commissioner for our Department,” Ms. West said. “I look forward to continuing on with the great work that our Department is doing through collaboration with our amazing staff, sister state agencies, community partners, and our consumers, we will continue to transform the public behavioral health system in our State.”
"Ms. West has shown a strong commitment to the mental health system in Tennessee and is passionate about making sure individuals living with mental illness are able to access high quality community based care. She has several years of experience providing direct services in a community mental health center and understands the challenges and difficulties that individuals living with serious mental illness often face," officials said.
Ms. West received her undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of Virginia and her master’s degree in counseling psychology from Trevecca Nazarene University. She has resided in the Nashville area since 1997 and currently lives in Brentwood, Tn. with her husband Ben and daughter Sienna Grace.