Saint Paul -- Governor Tim Pawlenty today announced the appointment of State Rep. Bud Nornes, Atashi Acharya, Robin Bode, Gary Christenson, Carol Cirocco, John Dinsmore, Swede Nelson, and Marlyse Oswald to the State Advisory Council on Mental Health.

Larry (Bud) Nornes, of Fergus Falls, represents the western half of Otter Tail County in the Minnesota House of Representatives. He was first elected in 1996 and is currently serving in his fourth term. Rep. Nornes serves on the House Health and Human Services Finance and Policy Committees. He is appointed as the Council member who serves in the Minnesota House of Representatives. Rep. Nornes will serve a term ending January 1, 2007 and fills the seat formerly held by Rep. Fran Bradley.

Atashi Acharya, of Golden Valley, currently serves as Seniors Mental Health Services Coordinator at Volunteers of America—Minnesota. She also teaches in the School of Social Work at both the University of Minnesota and the University of St. Thomas/College of St. Catherine. Acharya is appointed as a Council member who is a family member of a person with mental illness. Acharya, a current member of the Council, is appointed to her second term which ends January 1, 2007.

Robin Bode, of Le Center, current serves as a Client Advocate at the St. Peter Regional Treatment Center. She serves on the Board of the Mental Health Consumer/Survivor Network of Minnesota. Bode also serves as a volunteer for Le Center Volunteer Ambulance. She is appointed as the Council member who is a representative of the Consumer/Survivor Network. Bode, a current member of the Council, is appointed to her second term which ends January 1, 2007.

Gary Christenson, of Golden Valley, currently serves Director of Mental Health at the University of Minnesota Boynton Health Service. He also serves as an Associate Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at the University of Minnesota Medical School. Dr. Christenson is a licensed physician and a board certified psychiatrist. He is appointed as the Council member who is a psychiatrist. Christenson will serve a term ending January 1, 2007 and fills the seat formerly held by Dr. William Dikel.

Carol Cirocco, of Bemidji, currently serves as Minnesota Clinical Director of the Professional Association of Treatment Homes. She also serves as a Partner and Therapist at the Four Winds Center for Wellness in Bemidji. Cirocco holds a Minnesota license as an independent clinical social worker. She is appointed as the Council member who is a social worker. Cirocco will serve a term ending January 1, 2007 and fills the seat formerly held by Carolyn Paumen.

John Dinsmore, of Fergus Falls, currently serves as Director of the Otter Tail County Human Services Department. He also serves as a member of the Minnesota Association of County Social Services Administrators. He is appointed as the Council member who is a county social services agency director. Dinsmore, a current member of the Council, is appointed to his second term which ends January 1, 2007.

Swede Nelson, of Park Rapids, currently serves as an elected County Commissioner for Hubbard County. He was first elected in 1998 and is currently serving in his second term. Nelson also serves as Vice Chair of the Health and Human Services Committee of the Association of Minnesota Counties. He is appointed as a Council member who is a county commissioner. Nelson will serve a term ending January 1, 2007 and fills the seat formerly held by Pat Heldt.

Marlyse Oswald, of Blue Earth, has experience as a certified nursing assistant, nursing home activity assistant, and as an employee of two homes for the developmentally disabled and mentally ill. Oswald is also the parent of a adult child with a mental illness. She is appointed as a Council member who is a consumer of mental health services. Oswald will serve a term ending January 1, 2007 and fills the seat formerly held by Emma Westrom.

The State Advisory Council on Mental Health advises the Governor, the Legislature, and state agency heads about policy, programs and services affecting people with mental illness. The Council also educates the public about mental illness. The Council is made up of 30 members appointed by the Governor.