Statewide Initiative Highlight
Nevada is working to bring behavioral health recourses and referrals online through Nevada Treatment Connection. Nevada Treatment Connection is a public facing portal that allows for collaboration between health care providers and offers a one-stop-shop to access information on available beds and treatment resources. The primary goal for implementing Nevada Health Connections is to improve patient access to treatment for crisis, substance use disorder (SUD) and behavioral health services. The program currently includes almost 50 Nevada behavioral health programs and facilities. For more information go to: https://www.treatmentconnection.com
Current Issues and Policy
988 Implementation
In response to federal mandate, the State of Nevada, led by Division of Public and Behavioral Health, is coordinating efforts on implementing 988, a statewide crisis line. Social Entrepreneurs, a consulting organization tasked with coordinating the effort, provides an overview on their website:
“988 is a direct three-digit line to trained National Suicide Prevention Lifeline counselors. It will open the door for Nevadans as well as millions of Americans to seek the help they need, while sending the message across the state and the country that healing, hope, and help are happening every day. In 2020, the Lifeline received nearly 2.4 million calls. With an easy to remember and dial number like 988, the Lifeline hopes to reach many more people in emotional crisis. For more information go to: https://socialent.com/resources/nevada-988-implementation-planning/
Zero Suicide in Nevada
Nevada has embarked on tackling suicide prevention in the state’s healthcare facilities. Zero Suicide is a national initiative, based on a set of evidence-based principles and practices for preventing suicide within health and mental health systems.
The foundational belief of Zero Suicide is that suicide deaths for individuals under care are preventable. Zero Suicide requires a system-wide approach to improve outcomes and close gaps. For more information please visit https://www.sprc.org/zero-suicide
Crisis Response Planning
Nevada is engaging communities in planning for the development of an alternative crisis response system to traditional crisis resources that currently include 911, EMS, law enforcement, and hospital ERs. This new system will involve a statewide 988 crisis line, mobile crisis teams consisting of a therapist and peer, and crisis stabilization units. For more information go here: https://crisisnow.com
Current Legislation
Statewide Legislation
- SB390
- Establishes statewide suicide prevention and behavioral health crisis hotline (988). Develops funding mechanism for the hotlines and associated components of the crisis system. More information can be found here: https://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/NELIS/REL/81st2021/Bill/8095/Overview
Northern Region
- SB70
- Northern Regional Behavioral Health Policy Board’s legislation passed in the 2021 Nevada Legislature. Updates and modernizes Nevada’s mental health crisis and involuntary treatment laws. More information can be found here: https://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/NELIS/REL/81st2021/Bill/7276/Overview and on the Northern Regional Behavioral Health Policy Board page on this website.
- AB85
- Northern Regional Behavioral Health Policy Board’s legislation passed in the 2019 Nevada legislature. Clarified and standardized the mental health crisis hold process in Nevada. More information can be found here: https://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/NELIS/REL/80th2019/Bill/6041/Overview and on the Northern Regional Behavioral Health Policy Board page on this website.
Rural Region
- SB44
- The Rural Regional Behavioral Health Policy Board’s legislation that was passed in the 2021 legislative session. The aim of this bill was to streamline processes for experienced behavioral health professionals looking to practice in Nevada from out of state to more efficiently achieve licensure by endorsement. The bill also included provisions to ensure the ability of behavioral health interns completing their practice hours for licensure to utilize remote supervision – something that is vital for many would-be professionals in rural and frontier Nevada. More information can be found on NELIS here: https://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/NELIS/REL/81st2021/Bill/7221/Text#
Washoe Region
- SB69
- Washoe Regional Behavioral Health Policy Board’s legislation passed in the 2021 (81st) legislative session. The goal of this bill was to ensure, through established criteria for peer recovery support specialist certification, the assurance of a trained peer population for those desiring certification. The bill also addresses the Youth Risk Behavior Survey; evidence based substance use prevention programming in K-12; and, the legitimization of substance misuse prevention coalitions. More information can be found at the following link: SB69 Overview (state.nv.us)