Mental health officials say proposed cuts pose safety risk

By Cy Ryan

Thursday, Feb. 17, 2011 | 11:43 a.m.

CARSON CITY – Gov. Brian Sandoval’s slimmed-down budget will mean a cut in core mental health services and will result in increased dangers to citizens, witnesses told legislative budget subcommittees today.

Clark County District Judge William Voy said the budget “turns the back on the constitution,” which requires the state to provide treatment to the mentally ill. He characterized the Sandoval budget as irresponsible and “a substantial risk to public safety.”

Dr. Harold Cook, administrator of the state Division of Mental Health and Development Services, conceded the proposed budget cuts core clinical services.

The division is eliminating 168 full-time positions, of which 96 are vacant.

Complaints were lodged to the Senate Finance and the Assembly Ways and Means subcommittees on the state cutting $2.5 million over the biennium to support triage centers in Las Vegas and Reno. Concerns also were expressed about eliminating outpatient counseling services.

The subcommittee's chairwoman, Assemblywoman April Mastroluca, D-Las Vegas, said the loss of outpatient counseling would mean that 1,200 people wouldn't get those services.

Cook said those people might be moved into other programs and would still get their medication.

Sen. Sheila Leslie, D-Reno, called the cuts “a mental health catastrophe.”

Mastroluca complained that the governor is suggesting the cost of mental health courts be transferred to counties, which might not have the money to pay for them.

Cook said mental health courts are valuable, but the state doesn’t have the money to continue to support them. He conceded it could result in an increase in those who have mental problems ending up in jails or psychiatric hospitals.

Judge Voy said Clark County is on a pace to commit 23 percent more patients this year and these patients could be kept out of hospitals.

“The revolving door will increase,” he said, meaning patients will continue re-entering mental health programs.

“There is going to be a substantial crisis situation,” he said. The judge suggested that possibly some money in the state budget for public safety or corrections could be moved to retain the mental health services.

CORRECTION: Judge William Voy's last name was originally reported as Boyd. | (February 17, 2011)