NRS289.510: Annual Mental Wellness Visits
AB336, codified in NRS 289.510 and NAC 289.230, is effective January 2023, and requires an annual behavioral wellness visit for peace officers.
The legislation is new and Nevada is somewhat progressive in legislatively mandating these visits, in that more agencies/departments across the U.S., offer these visits on a voluntary basis than mandating them. Indeed, only five additional states offer mandated wellness visits to date: Oregon, Maryland, Illinois, Connecticut, and Missouri.
As is the case with any new legislation, there is a period of time when there is some confusion and ambiguity and a need to make quick decisions. This year, the IACP is set to publish annual wellness visit guidelines, which should clear up some of the confusion and generate a clear path forward for agencies/departments, but in the interim, I can speak to the mental health side of these visits.
Here is what a mental wellness visit is and what it is not.
What it is
A check-in
Education
Connection to available and appropriate mental health resources
Opportunity to learn tools to increase quality of life or manage stress
Chance to build relationships with mental health professionals
Possibility to reduce stigma and increase mental health literacy
What it is NOT
A screening
An evaluation
An assessment
A therapy session
Mental health treatment
Fitness for duty
It is important that agencies/departments contract with culturally competent and qualified mental health providers that understand the law enforcement culture and are aware of culturally appropriate mental health referral resources. A good place to start looking for these types of providers is via the Fraternal Order of Police vetted wellness provider list [Click here], the directory of Certified Emergency Responder and Public Safety Clinicians [Click here], or the ABPP Police and Public Safety Psychologists directory [Click here].
Still have questions? We are happy to help—Click here to schedule a consultation with Dr. Casas to learn more about annual mental wellness visits.
-Dr. Jena Casas, Ph.D.
