CARSON CITY–The Interim Finance Committee of the Nevada Legislature on Thursday approved more than $660,000 to support children’s mental health in the state through the Children’s Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT). The funding is being allocated from American Rescue Plan Act dollars.
MCRT, part of the state’s Department of Health and Human Services, will use the funds to hire additional staff to support youth and families facing mental health crises.
The program’s expansion comes at a time of increased focus on children’s mental health. U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy this week issued an advisory on youth mental health and focusing on the challenges children have faced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The future wellbeing of our country depends on how we support and invest in the next generation,” Murthy said. “Especially in this moment, as we work to protect the health of Americans in the face of a new variant, we also need to focus on how we can emerge stronger on the other side. This advisory shows us how we can all work together to step up for our children during this dual crisis.”
According to its website, MCRT is a statewide service with a 24-hour hotline to support youth and families of youth under 18 who are showing signs of mental health issues that pose a threat to the child’s stability within their home, school or community. Services are provided in the family’s home or location of choice.
MCRT officials said calls to the hotline have increased 68% since the start of the pandemic and mobile teams have responded to 22% more calls as compared to before the pandemic.
The need for additional mental health supports was highlighted in November when northern Nevada’s West Hills Hospital, a mental health hospital for youth, announced its closure. Officials said the cost to repair its aging building was a factor in the decision.
Reno’s Mayor Hillary Schieve said more options were needed to fill the void.
For more information on the Children’s Mobile Crisis Response Team go to KnowCrisis.com or call 702-486-7865 in southern or rural Nevada or 775-688-1670 in northern Nevada.
