Bryan declared mental health emergency in U.S. Virgin Islands

Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. signed an executive order on March 9, 2019, declaring a mental health-care emergency in the U.S. Virgin Islands because of a shortage of psychiatric physicians and behavioral health providers.

Government House said the order was intended to help the Department of Health, Gov. Juan F. Luis Hospital and Schneider Regional Medical Center hire mental health professionals and expand the department’s search for behavioral health providers.

The order also allowed the immediate deployment of providers from the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and other federal programs, and suspended Virgin Islands code provisions that restricted the rehiring of retired mental health professionals.

Government House said the order took effect immediately and would remain in effect until the Health Department confirmed there were enough psychiatric-care providers in the territory, or for 180 days unless renewed by the governor.

Official source: https://www.vi.gov/governor-bryan-moves-to-improve-mental-health-and-behavioral-services-in-the-territory/