Cherylyn Rahr-Wood currently serves as Nevada’s Northern Regional Behavioral Health Coordinator supporting the Carson, Churchill, Douglas, Lyon, and Story Counties. In this position, Cherylyn has stepped into this role with both feet running. Collaborating closely with community stakeholders, state partners, including law enforcement, EMS/ Fire, social services, mental health, substance use providers, and family and peer advocates to collaborate in developing and coordinating behavioral health resources within each county and across the Northern region. In this capacity, Cherylyn also serves as a liaison between the communities and state agencies and supports the established Northern Regional Behavioral Health Policy Board. 

Born in California into a military family where relocating was a familiar event in her house. Blessed to see various cities, states, and countries. Being a “military brat” gives her a well-balanced idea of where she calls home, Reno Nevada. As a Social Work graduate from the University of Nevada Reno, she is enthusiastic about participating in public service to improve the quality of life across the state and life span. As the recent Zero Suicide Statewide Coordinator, she earned a place at the table as a suicide prevention SME here in the state of Nevada. As well as the driving force behind the development of the Nevada Caring Contacts Warmline. As the new Regional Behavioral Health Coordinator, her focus will be on empowering communities and stakeholders by understanding their needs and priorities and supporting them achieve their goals.  

Cherylyn serves as Secretary, Warmline Committee Chair, and voting member on the Board of Directors for NAMI Western Nevada. She has also been a member of the Governors Challenge Team focused on reducing rates of suicide in our Veterans, Service Members, and Family populations for the past five years. As a standing voting member on the UNR Social Work Alumni Chapter as their Policy and procedure liaison. Recently I was nominated by Dr. Cindy Pitlock to join the prestigious chapter as a voting member of the Rural Children’s Mental Health Consortium. She enjoys working closely with the UNR School of Social Work in providing suicide prevention training as well as working to improve Nevada’s workforce concerning behavioral health and suicide prevention.