Health

Mobile Crisis Intervention Team Closer to Reality in USVI, But Lack of Funding Source Remains a Concern

Thanks to the efforts of Senator Diane Capehart, the USVI is one step closer to establishing a Psychiatric Emergency Response Team to provide mobile crisis intervention services and formalizing the 9-8-8 telecommunication system. Bill 35-0224 was first introduced in February 2024 but was held in committee by its author pending necessary amendments to strengthen the draft legislation, after the amendment process was prematurely halted because of the early dismissal of that day’s legislative session due to inclement weather. On Wednesday, Ms. Capehart once again sought the support of her colleagues on the measure. “This bill actually addresses our behavioral challenges. This is like the infrastructure that we need to start to address the challenges that we face in the Virgin Islands,” she said. Should the measure become law, peace officers, nurses, and Bureau of Corrections officers would all be trained to provide appropriate assistance during mental health episodes. It would also al...