Mental Health Services
As a leading private provider of mental health services for both adult and juvenile correctional populations, CHM offers a totally integrated approach. An accurate mental health assessment makes screening as well as management of mental health issues more effective.
Psychiatric Assessment
If an inmate is identified as needing mental health services, the inmate will be evaluated within 14 calendar days by a qualified mental health professional to determine if and what further treatment is needed. If the inmate is in need of psychotropic medication, an appointment with the jail physician or psychiatrist will be scheduled, as deemed appropriate. Should the jail physician find the inmate is beyond the scope of his or her license, a referral will be made to see an off site psychiatrist. A variety of other interventions, such of interpersonal follow-up or self-help books, are recommended, instead of medications, when appropriate.
Patient Education
Because many inmates are learning to live with mental illnesses they will have for the rest of their lives, teaching them about their illness is an important part of treatment and decreasing recidivism. Inmates will learn about the nature of their illnesses and how to cope with them. While inmates will make their own decisions about the interventions they choose, the pros and cons of each intervention will be clearly explained to them.
Documentation
All CHM mental health staff provide accurate and timely documentation meeting ACA and NCCHC standards that is available to all medical staff so that treatment may be coordinated. Documentation of any risk to self or others will be clearly communicated to security staff and classifications staff for housing purposes.
Suicide Management & Risk Reduction
Although suicide is infrequent, it is usually the most serious type of emergency situation seen by healthcare professionals in a correctional setting. CHM recognizes that the best way to prevent and reduce suicides is to train facility and healthcare teams to identify the signs and symptoms of suicidal behaviors. If an inmate has been identified as potentially suicidal, the facility and CHM team will monitor and observe the inmate, following procedures. A suicidal inmate will not be housed or left alone. An appropriate level of observation will be maintained. If deemed appropriate, potential suicidal inmates or those who attempt suicide are referred to mental health providers or outside facilities for care.
The CHM team works with each facility to put a plan in place to address how to handle a suicide in progress. Procedures will be put in place for notifying facility administrators, outside authorities and family members of potential, attempt or completed suicides. Responding to and/or observing a suicide in progress can be stressful for the facility team and inmates. CHM provides counseling to all facility staff and inmates who were involved or affected in any emergency situation.
