U.S. Sen. Susan Collins has been named Legislator of the Year by the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare, a Washington, D.C., lobbying and advocacy organization. The organization gave out six Legislator of the Year awards at a reception during its annual “Capitol Hill Day” in June.

The organization praised Collins for supporting expanded access to health care for people living in rural areas and for her commitment to mental health issues, including her leadership of the Senate Alzheimer’s Caucus, which aims to increase funding for Alzheimer’s research and strengthen support for family caregivers. Collins also was recognized for her work on behalf of parents of children with emotional disturbances who were forced to give up legal custody so their children can receive mental health services, as well as for her efforts to preserve Medicaid services for Americans living with mental illnesses and addiction disorders.

More about the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare, including a complete list of this year’s award recipients is available at www.thenationalcouncil.org.