DOH UPDATES LAWMAKERS ON BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND DHS SHARES THE STATUS OF HOMELESSNESS IN THE TERRITORY

ST. THOMAS- Members of the Committee on Health, Hospitals, and Human Services chaired by Senator Novelle E. Francis, Jr. convened in a meeting at the Capitol Building. Lawmakers receive testimony on the status of the Virgin Islands Department of Health on behavioral health in the Territory and the Federal funds earmarked for public health through the American Rescue Plan (ARPA). Separately, the Virgin Islands Department of Human Services (DHS) provided an update on senior residences and services, and senators weighed in on possible strategies to reduce homelessness in the territory. Sen. Francis indicated that the Virgin Islands is in a state of emergency due to the coronavirus. When it comes to mental health, the Territory is in a state of urgency. It is critical to address this issue.

The Virgin Islands Department of Health Commissioner Justa Encarnacion shared an update on behavioral health. Presently, the Division of Behavioral Health, Alcoholism, and Drug Dependency Services (BHADD) continues to provide health services such as case management and oversight to 246 patients territory wide. Encarnacion noted that the Community Resiliency Project, which addresses crisis intervention on general community mental health-related issues, contacted a total of 29,111 people. Out of that, 19,501 people received supportive care, 9,015 utilized group counseling as well as public education, and 595 individuals received counseling services.

Regarding outpatient clinics, Encarnacion stated that 452 people are receiving services; 29 are at the Eldra Schulterbrandt in the St. Thomas-St. John District and 20 at the Club House in the St. Croix District. Additionally, BHADD monitors the treatment of 39 patients at residential facilities on the mainland, and the Virgin Islands Bureau of Corrections transferred four patients to DOH and DHS for specified treatment. Encarnacion mentioned that the lack of staff remains a major challenge. Nonetheless, some of DOH’s accomplishments are inclusive of expanding behavioral telehealth services, providing grief counseling due to the sudden loss of a loved one, and collaborating with VITEMA to implement the Nation Suicide Hotline initiative.

Policymakers were also updated on the American Rescue Plan, a federal stimulus bill to assist with economic recovery and to mitigate the public health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in the Virgin Islands. Encarnacion noted that ARPA funds earmarked for public health were allocated to approximately twenty DOH programs and services. Some of them are behavioral health and drug dependency services, substance abuse, mental health, maternal health, epidemiology/laboratory work, and strengthening healthcare associated with infections and antibiotic resistance.