Mental Health Services have fallen behind as the need for help increases in Carson City and beyond during pandemic

While there have been the usual suspects of a pandemic, including disease transmission, hospitalizations, government shut downs, there has been another less-talked about symptom of the pandemic: mental health issues.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, there has been an increase in needs for mental health services both at home as well as nationally, but unfortunately, providing for that increase has proved challenging.

According to a report by the CDC, there was a large increase in mental health issues related to COVID-19 in adults throughout the country, with 40 percent of U.S. adults reporting struggling with mental health or substance abuse issues.

For younger adults, minorities, essential workers, and unpaid adult caregivers, those issues were disproportionally worse.

Those increased changes have been seen at home as well.

“Overlooked in much of the COVID discussion is the mental health impact it has had on people as a whole,” said Carson Tahoe Health’s Erin Hanna-Butros Meyering. “The demand for our mental health services, among both adults and children, is increasing rapidly.”

One of the major issues with this increase in need is that there are even less services than there were prior to the pandemic, including the shut down of West Hills Hospital in Reno, which provided in-patient treatment for both adults and youth.

Christina Sapien of Carson Tahoe Behavioral Health Services agrees that there has been a large increase in need from the community for services.

“We have definitely noticed an increase in people seeking mental health treatment in our community, particularly in the past two years as the COVID pandemic has led to growing behavioral health needs for many,” said Sapien. “We have seen a rise in the prevalence of depression, anxiety, suicide, and substance abuse, and levels of care to support those in need may range from outpatient services to inpatient hospitalization depending on need.”

While in-patient services are difficult to find, out-patient services are proving to be almost as challenging.

“Individuals of all ages most often are put on waitlists for outpatient mental health services due to the lack of community resources to meet the growing need,” said Sapien. “There has also been a notable increase in mental health related emergency department visit.”

There is currently only one psychiatric hospital in the entire region that accepts adolescents, according to Sapien.

“We have seen numerous children enter Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center in a mental health crisis who need to be held in the emergency room or pediatric unit while they wait for a bed to become available at an inpatient psychiatric facility,” said Sapien.
 
At this time, the community needs more mental health services. The Mallory Behavioral Health Crisis Center is an excellent tool for the community, but it is often full due to the need for services.

“The community would benefit from an increase in mental health services,” said Sapien. “It has been challenging to connect individuals to needed services in a timely manner due to long waitlists and limited availability of inpatient and outpatient services for adults and youth in the region. The community need has undoubtedly outgrown the availability of services.”

There are currently expansions in services in the works for the community. In December, a 50-bed inpatient facility was announced by the Carson City Community Counseling Center, which should open this spring in Carson City.

Additionally, Sapien says the state received funding, and is currently diapering those funds to local providers who responded to the Notice of Funding Opportunity, including the Community Mental Health and the Community Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Agency Block Grant funds which includes COVID-19 supplemental and the American Rescue Plan Act.

For those individuals who are struggling, Sapien says there is no shame in asking for help.

“Asking for help is hard, but there is nothing to be ashamed of,” said Sapien. “Mallory Behavioral Health Crisis Center is a resource available in our community and is open 24/7. There, an individual in a mental health or substance abuse crisis can receive support and be connected to treatment options to meet their needs.”

For those with no insurance, said Sapien, there are community resources that offer self-pay options and sliding scale fees. Medicaid may be an option for some, depending on income.

There are additional resources for those who need services, which can be found here:

• Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)
• NAMI Western Nevada Warm Line:  775-241-4212
• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
• Crisis Support Services of Nevada (CSSNV): Call 1-800-273-8255
• Mobile Outreach Safety Team (MOST): Call 775-887-COPS (2677)