Perdue appoints mental health ombudsman ATLANTA, GA (WABE) - Governor Perdue Wednesday announced a new position to help Georgia fix its broken mental health system.

The Mental Health Ombudsman will investigate complaints of abuse and other concerns.

Jewel Norman's resume includes running a psychiatric hospital for children and teenagers. She also advocated for mental health legislation for the State Department of Human Resources. As Ombudsman, Norman will provide checks and balances for Georgia's new mental health agency.

NORMAN: "And what I really want to do is work in conjunction not in an adversarial relationship with the new department of behavioral health."

Officials created the department and the ombudsman position to respond to an array of mental health problems. Advocates and the federal government have criticized Georgia for not providing adequate treatment. Norman says she will hear their concerns.

NORMAN: "I believe very strongly that consumers and their families have a right to be at the table when there is a treatment planning process."

Norman will create a database to track mental health complaints and deliver it to the Governor every 6 months. © Copyright 2012, WABE