Dr. Otonichar introduces CHS and mental health prevalence in jails
Dr. Joseph Otonichar of Correctional Health Services introduces himself and colleague Jeanette Merrill. He says about 61% of patients receive mental health services and 22% have serious mental illness, with higher prevalence among women.
Thank you.
Good morning, Chair Brooks Powers and members of the committee on criminal justice.
My name is Dr.
Joseph Otonakar.
I serve as the Chief of Mental Health for New York City Health and Hospitals Correctional Health Services.
I'm joined by my CHS colleague, Jeanette Merrill, Senior Assistant Vice President of Communications and External Affairs.
We appreciate the opportunity to testify today on mental health care in the New York City jails, an issue of paramount importance.
Since 2016, CHS has been the direct provider of physical and mental health services to people in the custody of the New York City Department of Correction.
Approximately 61% of these individuals, our patients, have received mental health services during their incarceration, and about 22% of the total patient population has been diagnosed with a serious mental illness.
The prevalence of mental illness is greater among women, with 85% of our female patients enrolled in the mental health service and 49% of our female patients diagnosed with a serious mental illness.
The challenges and stressors of jail incarceration, which include restrictions on autonomy and control, can prove clinically destabilizing for many of our patients.
The circumstances of pretrial detention can be chaotic and unpredictable and can exacerbate or even induce symptoms of psychological distress.
Uncertainty about the outcomes of legal cases can create additional tension and anxiety.
And this is all occurring at a time when our patients'access to community supports and outlets for coping are reduced.
Nonetheless, many of New York City's most clinically complex individuals receive mental health care on Rikers Island that they may not have had access to in the community.
CHS recognizes the opportunity we have to care for this vulnerable population and works to ensure that all of our patients have access to high quality mental health services during what can be the most challenging time of their lives.