senator katherine Cortez Masto hosted a roundtable in Reno to discuss mental health Assistance available to Nevada youth and their families. The senators include representatives from a variety of organizations, including the Nevada Children’s Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT), Nevada Department of Children and Family Services, Nevada Medicaid, Nevada Wraparound, Nevada Regional Hospital Partners, and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). participated. Western Nevada.
During the discussion, the group emphasized the importance of expanding mental health resources across the state. Sen. Cortez Masto emphasized the need for quality and timely mental health care across Nevada, especially for youth. She says she is working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to make this happen.
“We have seen firsthand that behavioral health crisis services can provide lifesaving support to young people, and I want every Nevadan to have access to quality, timely mental health care,” said Sen. Cortez Masto. “We’re fighting in the Senate to gain access.” “From expanding the availability of mobile crisis units to funding more mental health professionals, this is not a partisan issue. I will continue to work to ensure Nevadans get the care they need. , we will continue to work with colleagues on both sides of the aisle.”
The group also discussed the CAHOOTS Act, which is part of the American Rescue Plan and aims to fund Medicaid Mobile Crisis Response Teams. In addition, the bipartisan Safer Communities Act provides $1 billion for school mental health services.
Discussion also focused on expanding comprehensive mental health services for children and families in Nevada. Daniel Mears, clinical program manager for Reno’s Children’s Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT), spoke about the Department of Children and Family Services’ approach to treating patients and their families. She explained that she customizes services based on each patient’s needs and works with families to provide appropriate services.
“We work to personalize our services to each person’s needs, so we don’t just say, ‘Here’s a list,’ we need psychiatric services. We work with families to We work together to make sure families are connected to that service, which is several steps further than traditional case management because it works,” Meares explained.
Before the roundtable, we spoke with Sherilyn Lar Wood, NAMI Western/Northern Nevada Regional Behavioral Health Coordinator.she spoke at peer program They continue to develop to help youth across Nevada.
“We work hard to bring peer voices to the table. When you’re sitting with peers who really understand what you’ve been through, it’s easier to get that story across. You understand those issues.’ You can give a level of support that goes beyond what a therapist can provide you in the sense of the clinical part of it; We are here to support you as a person and your whole being,” Larwood explained.
Sen. Cortez Masto also highlighted his commitment to the creation of the National 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and legislation to fund virtual peer support services.
