Behavioral Health Facing Staffing Shortages
Health Commissioner Justa Encarnacion told senators Wednesday that strides have been made, but there are staffing shortages and other challenges to assisting those with behavioral health issues. She and staff updated senators on that and the status of millions of dollars in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds.
2022-02-11 12:38:27 - VI News Staff
The Health Department’s Division of Behavioral Health, Alcoholism, and Drug Dependency Services provides behavioral health services and operates from six locations in the territory, with almost 500 outpatients, according to testimony provided Wednesday. The division also reportedly has 39 patients at off-island facilities receiving treatment.
Department officials highlighted their expansion of behavioral telehealth services for patients, the addition of mobile outreach vans, and the soon to be constructed Eldra Schulterbrandt Resident Annex where those residents off-island will have the opportunity to instead receive care at home in the territory.
Sen. Marvin Blyden asked about the “type of savings” the department would see as a result of the patients returning to the territory to receive care.
“We’re looking at close to four to five million dollars annually if we’re able to bring those patients back home,” said Encarnacion.
Sen. Janelle Sarauw asked about aging patients with mental health conditions who might be lacking resources for assistance and outreach efforts, citing a personal experience with a neighbor who needed service.
“What is the department’s plan to address the psychiatric geriatric patient?” asked Sarauw.
“First of all we need space,” said Encarnacion. “Eldra Schulterbrandt, we’re at our capacity.”
Relating to COVID–19, according to the commissioner, the U.S. Virgin Islands remains among the third-lowest in case and mortality rates in the nation.
“Grant funding now is providing us with more access to human resources,” said Encarnacion, who said that additional staff will assist with efforts to reduce the impact of COVID–19.
Of the virus, Sen. Alma Francis Heyliger asked about the status of herd immunity since there are new variants of the virus.
“As it relates to vaccinated and the booster shot, what I would like to know is since those shots came out initially it was for the original form of COVID,” said Francis–Heyliger. “Is herd immunity still an option?”
Dr. Tai Hunte-Ceasar, an infectious disease specialist, responded that, “This is a global pandemic. Therefore, we would really have to hope that we vaccinate and immunize the entire world. It’s a global goal. If we don’t have herd immunity around the entire world what will happen is, we will continue to have variants that will emerge. Herd immunity is always a part of the equation.”