CHESAPEAKE, Va. (WAVY) — In November 2022, Chesapeake and the nation learned that mental health breakdowns can traumatize entire communities.
In 2009, state Sen. Clay Dees was nearly killed by a mentally ill patient who turned out to be Dees’ son, and fellow Assemblyman Cliff Hayes recalled how Dees had sought inpatient treatment for his son but was unable to find it.
“Yes, it was a horrific situation,” Hayes said, “and a lot of times we don’t pay enough attention to the problems that we have in society.
I’ll come and help you right away.
State officials were on site Friday as Chesapeake Regional Medical Center received a $3.7 million grant that will provide the foundation for a comprehensive mental health program, starting with renovating the emergency room to accommodate patients, including those who arrive in handcuffs.
“We put our officers through a variety of training, including de-escalation training, critical incident and stress training,” said Chesapeake Police Chief Col. M.G. Solesky. “But as you can see here, the area we’re looking at right now is reserved for law enforcement. On any given night, it’s not uncommon to have six or seven patrol cars parked here. They’re doing our part in the behavioral health system.”
The second phase will build 20 inpatient beds on the hospital’s sixth floor, and President and CEO Reece Jackson said the need in Chesapeake is clear.
“That’s why we have police here, elected officials here, the governor’s cabinet and other members of the state here, because they all see the need,” Jackson said.
The third phase is an intensive outpatient facility that will be built on land owned by Chesapeake Regional Healthcare.
“We’re actively working on this,” Jackson said. “We’ve been working on it for several months now, and we’re very excited that the Commonwealth of Virginia is going to help fund this project.”
Emergency psychiatric care is scheduled to begin at the end of the year. Inpatient and outpatient care is scheduled to begin in the fall of 2025.
If you or a loved one is experiencing a mental health crisis right now, please call 988.
