On the heels of the Sampson sheriff noting an increased need in transports for mental health patients in recent years, statistics compiled by Eastpointe Mental Health on referrals in the county echo the point.

Last month, Sheriff Jimmy Thornton noted a huge boost in man-hours necessary to accommodate mental health assistance and transport of involuntary commitments. In 2008-09, mental health transports required 184 man-hours per month for his department. Through just eight months in 2010-11, they required a whopping 457 man-hours a month. Deputy pay for off-duty mental health transports from July 2008-June 2009 was $44,205, a number that climbed to $65,825 the next year. The final figure for off-duty deputy pay this past fiscal year, 2010-11, is expected to be well over $100,000.

That is double the amount just two years earlier, and approximately 10 times the $10,000 budget in 2002-03.

Local law enforcement is required by the state to transport and safeguard mental health patients as needed. That includes close contact with Eastpointe Mental Health, the local management entity responsible for mental health services in Sampson, Duplin, Lenoir and Wayne counties. Eastpointe area director and CEO Ken Jones has worked closely with local medical and law enforcement officials in recent years, trying to identify trends and evaluating a need that continues to grow. While off-duty deputy salaries have been able to be offset by state dollars provided through Eastpointe, referrals continue to rise.

“Numbers keep climbing each year,” Thornton said. “This year the numbers just climbed through the roof. They knew there had been more (involuntary commitments), but they couldn’t believe the magnitude of it.”

According to information from Eastpointe, statistics on referrals through May, the most recent available, follow that upward trend.

From July 2010 through May 2011, there were 1,527 total referrals in Sampson County, compared to 1,379 during the same period in 2009-10, an increase of 148 combined screenings (new and aftercare). Of that hike, adult mental health increased by 97 referrals, from 839 in 2009-10 to 936 in 2010-11, and adult substance abuse saw an increased of 84 referrals, from 206 in 2009-10 to 290 in 2010-11. Decreases were seen in child mental health, which went down by 32 referrals, from 303 in 2009-10 to 271 in 2010-11 through May. Similarly, child substance abuse stood at four referrals compared to seven the previous year.

Adult developmental disability screenings consisted of 14 referrals, just four below the 18 in 2009-10. Child developmental disability screenings rose from six referrals in 2009-10 to 12 during the same time in 2010-11. According to Eastpointe officials, it is suspected the majority of substance abuse referrals are presented more as a mental health issue at the time of screening versus being a substance abuse issue.

The sheriff said the rise in involuntary commitments could be the result of a number of circumstances, notably tough economic times in recent years. Regardless of the circumstance, the impact can be seen not only among local law enforcement, but in local hospitals, treatment facilities, the families and the community. It is a situation that confronts many people every day.

From July 2010 to the middle of May, a total of 6,508 new screenings have occurred, including those for new consumer service requests, previous consumers who have been discharged from services and existing consumers in mobile and walk-in crisis. In comparison to their population, Lenoir and Duplin are serving above their population percentage while Sampson and Wayne were close, but still remained below their population percentages. Of that grand total of 6,508 screenings, Sampson was responsible for 1,331 (20 percent in relation to its population percentage); Lenoir had 1,643 (25 percent); Duplin had 1,331 (21 percent) and Wayne totaled 2,203 (34 percent).

Through May 11, there were a total of 1,480 screenings dispatched to the mobile crisis unit for consumers residing in Eastpointe counties. Sampson received 434 such screenings, 29.3 percent of those given out. Duplin was close behind with 425 (28.7 percent), Lenoir had 336 (22.7 percent) and Wayne logged 285 (19.3 percent).

Chris Berendt can be reached at 910-592-8137 ext. 121 or via email at sicrime@heartlandpublications.com.