Committee advances Josie White to Utah Behavioral Health Commission

At a meeting of the Senate Health and Human Services Confirmation Committee, senators unanimously voted to advance Josie White’s nomination to the Utah Behavioral Health Commission and referred her to the full Senate for final confirmation.

Josie White, the nominee for the commission’s lived-experience seat, told the committee she has schizoaffective disorder with bipolar features and described a years‑long interaction with the mental health system. “I have what's called schizoaffective disorder with bipolar features, and that means I have experienced both the symptoms of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder,” she said.

White said she benefited from insurance, family support and other resources during her own crises but observed that others lack those supports and sometimes leave hospitals into homelessness. “As part of that journey, I barely made it through the experience ... And with all of that, I almost didn't make it,” she said. White identified herself as the philanthropic officer at Shell to the Homeless and said she volunteers for the National Alliance on Mental Illness; she told senators she seeks to bring that lived experience to the commission.

Committee members asked about what helped her recover. White cited access to health care, emergency intervention including hospitalization, medication‑assisted therapy and social support. “One of the biggest contributors to my success is access to health care,” she said. She also said volunteer work with NAMI helped her and others feel less isolated.

Senator Stevenson moved that the committee give White a favorable recommendation; the motion carried unanimously. The committee members who identified themselves at the start of the meeting were the chair, Senator Stevenson and Senators Plum, Thatcher and Stratton; all said “aye.”

Committee members praised White’s testimony. “I'm very impressed by your presentation,” Senator Stevenson said. Senator Stratton commended her willingness to serve and to help others.

The committee’s action advances White’s nomination to the full Senate, which must vote to confirm the appointment before she would take a seat on the Utah Behavioral Health Commission.