Mental Health Services
In addition to the Medical Services offered in Detention Services, a comprehensive range of mental health services is also offered. Initial psychiatric assessments are conducted to determine the need for such care. Mental Health staff provides these assessments, schedule follow-up services, and advises Classification staff regarding inmate placement or special housing requirements.
Mental health screening services are provided to the following inmate patients:
Crisis Support
Patients in crisis are seen immediately and other patients are seen in as timely a fashion as possible, with urgent referrals being made within 24 hours. Mental health services are also available to less acute patients.
Psychiatric clinic services are available seven days per week, and medication may be prescribed. Short term crisis intervention is available, and may be requested by any jail staff member or by the inmate. Discharge planning and case management are available to provide continuity of care upon the inmate’s release to the community.
Advice for Family & Friends
Supporting and coping with a loved one who suffers from a mental health disorder can be extremely challenging and stressful. You can provide strong and effective support during this important time by doing the following:
You may wish to contact a support group.
Mental health screening services are provided to the following inmate patients:
- Inmates who are interested in receiving psychiatric care while in custody without previous psychiatric care in the community.
- Inmates who, after being assessed by mental health staff, are believed to require psychiatric services while in custody.
Crisis Support
Patients in crisis are seen immediately and other patients are seen in as timely a fashion as possible, with urgent referrals being made within 24 hours. Mental health services are also available to less acute patients.
Psychiatric clinic services are available seven days per week, and medication may be prescribed. Short term crisis intervention is available, and may be requested by any jail staff member or by the inmate. Discharge planning and case management are available to provide continuity of care upon the inmate’s release to the community.
Advice for Family & Friends
Supporting and coping with a loved one who suffers from a mental health disorder can be extremely challenging and stressful. You can provide strong and effective support during this important time by doing the following:
- When contacted by the inmate, stay calm and offer your support.
- Reassure the inmate of the right to legal representation, and assist in making contact with a lawyer if necessary. Attorneys familiar with mental health issues may be especially helpful.
- Tell the inmate that a screening will be conducted for mental health issues, and that it is OK to discuss medical and mental health concerns with nursing and mental health staff. It is important that inmates feel safe to speak openly with these professionals.
- Obtain your friend or relative’s booking number. If you speak with the inmate by phone, ask them to read the booking number printed on their wristband. You may also look up the booking number by checking the Inmate Roster link on the Detention Services Website.
- If release is unlikely to occur soon, and you are concerned about important information reaching Medical/Mental Health staff, you may call the facility’s Information line and ask to speak to a member of the medical staff.
You may wish to contact a support group.