Saint Paul – Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of Amanda Gramlich, Teri Herder-Blahnik, and Senator Kathy Sheran to the State Advisory Council on Mental Health. All three are appointed to complete four-year terms that expire on January 3, 2011.

Gramlich, of Richfield, is the area director with People Incorporated Riverwind Crisis Services. Previously she has been a senior psychiatric social worker with the Hennepin County Community Outreach for Psychiatric Emergencies, a social work specialist with the Minnesota Department of Human Services, and a medical social worker with Crystal Lake Good Samaritan Center. Gramlich is a licensed independent clinical social worker, is certified in critical incident stress management, and certified by the State of Illinois in dialectic behavior therapy. She earned her master’s and bachelor’s degrees in social work from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. She is vice chair of the Mental Wellness Campaign for Anoka County, and has been a counselor at the Walk-in Crisis Counseling Services center in Minneapolis. Gramlich replaces Carol Cirocco on the State Advisory Council on Mental Health as a representative of the discipline of social work.

Herder-Blahnik, of Walnut Grove, is a regional resource coordinator with the Mental Health Consumer/Survivor Network of Minnesota. She is also a lay minister with Southwest Minnesota Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, an independent beauty consultant with Mary Kay Inc, and a volunteer EMT with Walnut Grove Ambulance. Herder-Blahnik’s previous positions have included serving as a community support worker with Western Mental Health Center; reporter with the Westbrook Sentinel Tribune; and a case aide/county advocate with Lincoln, Lyon and Murray County Human Services. Herder-Blahnik earned her bachelor’s degree from Minnesota State University, Mankato. Herder-Blahnik, who chairs her five-county Local Advisory Council on Adult Mental Health, replaces Marlyse Oswald on the State Advisory Council on Mental Health as a consumer member.

Sheran, of Mankato, has served as a member of the Minnesota Senate from District 23 since January 2007. She is vice chair of the Higher Education Committee as well as the Budget and Policy Division, and serves on the Capital Investment; Energy, Utilities, Technology and Communications; Environment and Natural Resources; and the Finance Committee’s Health and Human Services Budget Division.

A registered nurse, Sheran has been a head nurse at the University of Minnesota in child, adolescent, and adult psychiatry, has directed an outpatient chemical dependency treatment program, has been in private practice as an advanced practice psychiatric nurse, and taught nursing at Minnesota State University, Mankato. She earned her master of science degree from Minnesota State University, Mankato, and her bachelor of science degree in nursing from the College of St. Theresa in Winona. Sheran replaces Senator Leo Foley on the State Advisory Council on Mental Health and is appointed to a position for a state Senator.

The State Advisory Council on Mental Health advises the Governor, legislature and state agencies on the policies, programs and services affecting people with mental illness. The council consists of 30 members appointed by the Governor.