| 5/4/2021 |
Clark County Board of Commissioners
| No Action Taken by the Board
Agenda note: DISCUSSION: Following introduction of the item, the Board was addressed by Chief Meyer of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department regarding prioritizing mental health; accredited by the American Correctional Association and the National Commission on Correctional Health Care (NCCHC); and was one of only five jails in the United States to be awarded Mental Health Accreditation by the NCCHC.
Captain Bill Teel advised that the Clark County Detention Center (Detention Center) is the largest mental health facility in the State of Nevada; suicide was the leading cause of death in jails and prisons; approximately twenty-five percent of the detained population takes psychotropic medication on a daily basis; the Detention Center population was five times more likely to suffer a mental crisis; two-thirds of the Detention Center population who suffer from mental illness also suffer from a co-occurring challenge such as substance abuse; and a lot of oversight was needed for the care, control, and custody of the Detention Center population.
Dr. Mohammad Khan, Director of Psychiatry at the Detention Center, expressed appreciation for the collaboration with Detention Center staff; advised that psychiatric hospital beds have been decreasing across the country, with an increase in the mentally ill population in jails and prisons; prioritized providing the best mental health care for the detainees during custody at the jail; provided clinically appropriate mental health treatment prioritized by urgency while taking into consideration the dangerousness; screening began in the booking area; developed specific mental health modules for the needs of the population in accordance with the NCCHC guidelines; held weekly housing meetings to discuss challenging cases and develop discharge planning; and worked as a team.
Dr. Joann Mundin, Associate Director of Psychiatry, advised of the clinical team successfully collaborating with the corrections team regarding mental and physical health; the goal was that no one in custody died from physical or mental health problems; discussed accomplishments regarding suicide prevention, including attempts and gestures; opiate use significantly increased the risk of mental health problems; and COVID-19 also increased mental health stressors and risks of suicide.
Captain Teel advised that mental health was a priority, and the department intends to continue to set the standard for jails; continued to increase Mental Health Training for Officers; accessed the Community Management Information System for additional information; would implement a University of Nevada, Las Vegas Forensic Psychiatry Fellowship and a Social Worker Intern Program; continue to measure progress regarding the Mental Health Step Down Program; hold a weekly stakeholder collaboration meeting to discuss those most at risk; and would enhance discharge planning with the Behavioral Health Unit.
Discussion followed regarding topics including the correlation between opioid use and COVID-19 and related suicide attempts; mental health information was forwarded to the Nevada Department of Corrections when a detainee transferred between jail and prison; resources for prebooking diversion; the Office of Community Engagement working in the community with mental health efforts to reduce the number of people entering the system because jail intensifies mental health issues; and discharge transition services including medications, mental health services, and housing.
Chief Meyer recognized National Correctional Officers and Employees Week being from May 2 to May 8, 2021. | |
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