Mara Jones, director of ALPHA Behavioral Health Center serving Kershaw, Chesterfield and Lee counties, has been elected president of the Behavioral Health Services Association of South Carolina (BHSA).
“I’m overjoyed to be selected by my colleagues across the state to lead this organization,” said Jones.
The mission of BHSA is to promote, strengthen, protect, and advocate for member agencies and the provision of quality behavioral health services in South Carolina. BHSA’s membership consists of the 31 county authorities who partner with the South Carolina Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Services to deliver substance use prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery support services in each of the 46 counties.
“Substances of all types affect people, their families, and the communities in which they live,” said Jones. “Knowing that we can make a difference and improve the lives of those suffering with this disease is very worthwhile.”
“Everyone deserves a chance to be healthy,” said Jones, “and our goal is to accomplish that by providing an array of services in the community as well as advocating for their health on a variety of local, state, and federal stages.”
Each year, more than 50,000 individuals receive direct intervention and/or treatment services from our agencies. Since its creation in 1973, the system has provided services for more than 1 million South Carolinians.
“I am excited for this opportunity and the ability to work with sister agencies to impact positive change in South Carolina,” said Jones.