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MHPC: On-island psychiatrists are needed
The Commonwealth needs a psychiatrist or two that will always be on island, according to the Mental Health Planning Council.
MHPC noted the lack of on-island psychiatrist that could better serve the residents of the islands.
“We’ve noticed, as community members, a lack of mental health and substance abuse services, primarily mental health, especially when it comes to the prison setting,” council secretary Gregory Borja said.
“Right now we’re limited to one psychiatrist who comes on island once a week,” he added, noting that 12 years ago, there were two psychiatrists in the CNMI.
Borja said one doctor who comes in once a week from Guam may not be enough to help everyone that needs assistance with those who are living in the hospital as residents as well as the “large population” of outpatients or people that receive mental health services but are out in the community.
“Sometimes she hasn’t got a chance to meet with everybody,” Borja said.
Borja said there is also limited service when it comes to mental health and that “other than medication, there is really not much that is going on” and that services such as therapy and counseling should be made more available.
“The public needs somebody out here, to have somebody help somebody in that moment you need it. You come in, there’s nobody there, what would you do?” echoed council Brett M. Halstead.
“We need those services also to reach out also to Tinian and Rota as well,” Borja said.
The council said they are trying to get technical assistance on how to get doctors on island.
“We’re more like an advisory and review group. We’re not a governing body so what we can do is just express our concerns with our Legislature, to the board at [the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp.],” Borja said.
