BOSTON –  Representative Ruth B. Balser (D-Newton) was awarded the Legislative Distinguished Services Award at the Department of Mental Health’s Annual Distinguished Service Awards Ceremony in the State House last week. Elizabeth Childs, M.D., Commissioner of the Department of Mental Health presented the award to Representative Balser for her dedication to citizens with mental illnesses through her work as House Chair of the newly established Joint Committee on Mental Health and Substance Abuse Committee.

“Rep. Ruth Balser’s leadership is vital to people with mental illnesses,” said mental health Commissioner Elizabeth Childs, M.D. “Her diligent work on the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Committee is a constant reminder to the Legislature that citizens with mental illnesses need and deserve dignity and respect.”

In addition, Commissioner Childs established a new award this year in memory of the late Ruth Robinson, a Newton resident, for her dedicated advocacy for older citizens with mental illnesses. Representative Balser joined the Commissioner in presenting the award to Ms Robinson’s daughters and remembered their mother both for her mental health advocacy and her many years of activism with the Newton Democratic City Committee.

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