(a) This chapter may be cited as The Virgin Islands Behavioral Health Act.
(b) This chapter is responsible for the direction of behavioral health programs in public and private facilities and for the promotion and guidance of behavioral health, both mental health and substance use disorder programs within the Territory.
(c) The purpose of this chapter is to:(1) Expand community behavioral health services, encourage local participation in programs provided by community behavioral health providers, obtain a better understanding of the need for community behavioral health services and encourage implementation of community behavioral health services.(2) Promote and support the development and implementation of comprehensive community support systems to ensure community integration and the maintenance of a decent quality of life for persons who suffer from behavioral health challenges or behavioral health disorders in each of the service areas in the Territory; and(3) Strengthen the capacity of families, natural networks, self-help groups, and other community resources to improve the support for persons who suffer from behavioral health challenges or mental health disorders.
(1) Expand community behavioral health services, encourage local participation in programs provided by community behavioral health providers, obtain a better understanding of the need for community behavioral health services and encourage implementation of community behavioral health services.
(2) Promote and support the development and implementation of comprehensive community support systems to ensure community integration and the maintenance of a decent quality of life for persons who suffer from behavioral health challenges or behavioral health disorders in each of the service areas in the Territory; and
(3) Strengthen the capacity of families, natural networks, self-help groups, and other community resources to improve the support for persons who suffer from behavioral health challenges or mental health disorders.
(d) This chapter establishes policies and procedures by which persons with behavioral health challenges, or disorders may receive services. The procedures must be applied consistently with the principles of due process to make voluntary and involuntary treatment available where the need is great and where the absence of treatment could result in serious harm to the individual or to others.