Funds provided by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), part of the United States Health and Human Services Department (HHS), were recently awarded to the U.S. Virgin Islands to improve mental health care services. Additionally, finances provided by the V.I. Office of Disaster Recovery (ODR) have been allocated to local organizations to enhance community wellness and support.
“The HRSA, an agency within the U.S. HHS, announced $600,000 in an award to launch and expand mental health and substance use disorder services at one community health center in the U.S. Virgin Islands,” according to a recent press release from HRSA and recently shared by the Source.
The $600,000 awarded by HHS will benefit Frederiksted Health Care, Inc., which operates four medical facilities across St. Croix, and the Source reported that Frederiksted Health Care’s Ingeborg Nesbitt Clinic, located in Frederiksted, will be the recipient of the funding. The mission of the medical organization is “to provide non-discriminatory, evidence-based, affordable, and accessible health care to the community of St. Croix,” according to the company website.
“Health centers are trusted community providers and a primary source of care for individuals who are uninsured, underinsured, or enrolled in Medicaid – making them well-positioned to respond to the urgent need for behavioral health services that are high quality, stigma-free, culturally competent and readily accessible,” the HHS press release explained. “These grants will help expand access to needed care to help tackle the nation’s mental health and opioid crises – two pillars of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Unity Agenda for the nation,” the press release noted.
A History of Inadequate Mental Health Care in the USVI
Lack of access to mental health care has plagued the territory for years. A recent Source article explained that funding has been a significant hurdle to creating broader access to mental health options.
“Psychiatrist and family physician Laurie McCormick, a part-time resident [of the USVI] since the 2017 hurricanes, said the reason there is a mental health crisis in the territory is because there hasn’t been adequate funding for a full-time community psychiatrist for the DOH on St. Thomas,” according to the Source article. “[McCormick] said there isn’t enough funding because the bill for off-island patients takes most of DOH’s $7 million Mental Health Division budget,” the article continued.
“Since the demolition of the behavioral inpatient unit on St. Croix over 10 years ago, there has not been adequate psychiatric treatment nor the funds to send patients to St. Thomas,” the Source article explained.
In March 2024, tragic events related to a lack of access to mental health care led to the following statement released by the Source Editorial Team:
“As a community, we must reflect on our collective responsibility. If there were indeed warnings, if social media posts or concerning behaviors went unnoticed or unheeded, then it prompts us to question whether we missed opportunities to support our most vulnerable members. By fostering a culture of empathy and support instead of stigma, we can create a stronger community where everyone feels valued and cared for,” according to The Source.
“We must aggressively advocate for improved mental health care in the U.S. Virgin Islands. It’s unacceptable that our community members have been left without access to vital services for so long,” the statement continued.
Possibility of a New Territory Mental Health Care Facility
Fortunately, a new facility may soon be available for USVI residents on St. Thomas. As was also reported by the Source, Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. recently revealed that the Government of the Virgin Islands has made initial plans to potentially convert the Sea View Nursing Facility on St. Thomas, which has been closed since 2020, into a center dedicated to mental health.
“Saying the territory ‘can’t afford’ two mental health facilities but would benefit more from one fully staffed and operational one, Bryan said instead that last week, he and the commissioners of Health and Human Services toured the 40-bed Sea View Nursing Facility on St. Thomas,” the Source article stated. “The governor said it is ‘mostly intact,’ that he had signed a letter of intent with the seller, and that it could be renovated more quickly with the funds,” the article continued.
During a weekly Government House press briefing on Monday, Oct. 7, the Source asked officials at Government House if there had been any updated information on the procurement of the facility.
“[There are no updates] at this current moment,” said Richard Motta, Government House director of communications. “[However,] the [Bryan/Roach] administration is interested in purchasing that facility, [and] to my knowledge, the negotiations and conversations are still ongoing with the owner of the facility,” Motta explained.
Funds Designated for Community Wellness Initiatives
In addition to the financial award from HHS for Frederiksted Health Care, Inc., over $1 million in grant money has been provided by the V.I. ODR and has been allocated for local organizations to enhance community wellness and support, including a focus on mental health.
“ODR proudly announces over $1.3 million in Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) grants to fund three critical community initiatives that will provide essential services to vulnerable residents across the territory,” according to a recent press release from ODR. “These awards will bolster efforts to address homelessness, mental health, and youth development, underscoring ODR’s commitment to building a stronger, more resilient Virgin Islands,” the press release stated.
Three nonprofit organizations that have received funding from ODR are 1) Liberty Place: A Community Action Team, 2) Project Promise: The Caterpillar Afterschool Program on St. Croix, and 3) Meeting the Needs of the Community (MTOC): Mental Health Counseling on St. Thomas.
The following information from the ODR press release provided details about the groups that will receive financial aid:
Liberty Place: [Assertive] Community Action Team (STX) has been awarded $1,000,000 to deliver supportive housing and shelter services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Frederiksted, St. Croix. This significant investment will help meet the urgent housing needs of the community, offering safe and stable accommodation for those in need.
Project Promise: The Caterpillar Afterschool Program (STX) secured $95,000 to support the Caterpillar Afterschool Program in Christiansted, St. Croix. This comprehensive initiative targets at-risk youth ages 10-18, providing academic support, life skills training, and mentorship designed to foster positive development and resilience among young residents.
Meeting the Needs of the Community (MTOC): Mental Health Counseling (STT), formerly known as the Methodist Training and Outreach Center, will utilize $257,108 in funding to provide critical mental health and behavioral counseling services for those affected by post-traumatic stress and other issues stemming from Hurricanes Irma and Maria. This support will play a crucial role in expanding access to mental health resources within the community.
Creating Mental Health Care Options for USVI Residents
Dan Derima, executive director of MTOC, shared further details on how the organization plans to increase opportunities for residents across the territory to obtain mental health care.
“MTOC applied for and obtained the CDBG-DR funding to provide mental health counseling for the community,” Derima said. “As this funding was recently awarded, we are currently aligning with our licensed providers to ensure that the program goals meet its objectives,” he continued.
“This funding is directed toward service costs to support the program [including finances for] counselors and other administrative costs,” Derima explained. “This is a one-time, nonrenewable grant, [and] we expect this funding to assist those experiencing mental health challenges across the community to [cope and better manage] their symptoms that are associated with traumatic experiences such as depression, anxiety, or other identified challenges,” he added.
Resa O’Reilly Shearn, founder and executive director of Project Promise, shared information with the Source about the Caterpillar Afterschool Program and how the program will benefit the community.
“As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Project Promise is dedicated to improving the lives of at-risk youth and their families on St. Croix by providing empowerment initiatives, cultural programs, and family support services,” O’Reilly Shearn said. “Project Promise provides the island’s only comprehensive education, health, career, and vocational support program for at-risk youth who are increasingly turning to crime and other risky behaviors,” O’Reilly Shearn continued.
“Due to struggling schools, decreased opportunities, and increases in at-risk behavior, the need for positive support services is imperative, [and] the goal of the Project Promise’s flagship Caterpillar Project is to identify those youth who are experiencing adolescent hardships and may have a rough transition into adulthood,” O’Reilly Shearn described.
“Project Promise offers [an] eight-component Caterpillar Project Afterschool and Weekend Program to youth, [focusing on] filling academic gaps and addressing socioemotional needs to avoid the stumbling blocks that can negatively impact their lives,” O’Reilly Shearn stated. “We integrate [this program] with community and psychosocial support to their families as they navigate economic challenges, public health disruptions, and weather disasters in their lives,” she said.
“The holistic program includes life coaching, community service, career exploration, personal health and wellness, cultural awareness, family support services, creative expression, and academic intervention,” O’Reilly Shearn explained. She noted that “students are selected in fifth grade and remain in the program through 12th grade.”
Finally, Leslie Raymer, Liberty Place’s chief financial officer, provided a press release to the Source that shared the following details about the organization’s Assertive Community Action Team and how the team—which includes social workers—plans to offer help to Virgin Islanders experiencing homelessness through funding awarded by CDBG-DR.
“Liberty Place, Inc. is proud to announce the launch of their newest program, Assertive Community Action Team (ACAT),” according to the press release. “The program works to enhance the lives of Crucians experiencing housing insecurity. [Through] providing outreach services, referral and linkage with mainstream services and housing, and crisis intervention for program clients, the strengths-based case management is inclusive to all homeless and housing vulnerable individuals,” the press release stated.
“Our social workers will monitor client progress with regular, ongoing contact with individuals receiving services in conjunction with partner agencies. In the [short term], the program is funded from the Liberty Place Inc. operational budget and community donations, while the agency continues to await [the] release of CDBG-Disaster Relief funds as awarded from [the Virgin Islands Housing Finance Authority] and now rests with the Office of Disaster Recovery,” the press release continued.
