Senator Gayle Harrell of Florida District 25 was selected as the 2020 recipient of the Jacob K. Javits Public Service Award. On behalf of the American Psychiatric Association (APA), the Council on Advocacy and Government Relations presents this award annually to a public servant who has made a significant contribution on behalf of individuals with mental illness and those suffering from substance use disorder. This is the highest award conferred upon a public servant by the APA, which represents 38,800 psychiatric physicians and their patients. 

The APA and FPS honors Sen. Harrell for her tireless dedication to ensuring that patients, families, and communities have access to the best possible mental health care from well-trained, high quality providers.  Her relentless leadership has led to the passage of critical mental health policies that have benefited patients throughout the State of Florida. She has shown herself to be a leader of change within healthcare policy and a devoted mental health advocate, working across party lines to ensure our communities have access to high-quality mental health services.