Enough is enough on bad mental health policies that hurt people, communities Earlier this summer, an emotionally disturbed homeless woman in Manhattan’s West Village attacked a 72-year-old man with scissors. A week earlier, a tourist from China was also hit in the face by a homeless man in midtown. The incident was followed by a 68-year-old restaurant owner being pummeled by another man living in a shelter for mentally ill people in Washington Heights. Public incidents like these involving individuals suffering from mental illness have become too common in recent months. It’s not just Manhattan. The problem is real across the state because of years of bad state policies that aren’t getting better. “New York state continues to downsize state psychiatric centers without developing adequate community care,” said CSEA President Danny Donohue. “This means seriously sick people are too often left to fend for themselves on the streets or end up in local jails and state prisons. It’s not a new situation but state officials have repeatedly fail to address it.” One out of five families is affected by mental illness. Two thirds of those in need of treatment are not receiving it. Yet, New York continues to renege on promises for community care and diminish mental health services. Many of those with severe mental illness need treatment in a hospital setting. By some estimates, more than half of the inmates in correctional facilities have some form of mental illness. Many of these individuals wouldn’t be incarcerated if they could get the help and care they need in their community. Safety net failing New York City’s jail, Riker’s Island, already has more mentally ill than all state hospitals combined. County sheriffs across this state regularly report they are filling their jail cells with people in desperate need of mental health services because they have nowhere to send these individuals for help. Plot to kidnap and rape group home workers foiled continued from page 11 her coworkers are expected to manage. A Developmental Assistant II for Finger Lakes DDSO, supervising a 10-bed group home with eight staff members, Payne said the dramatic changes have made her more aware of the importance of properly placing at-risk criminal offenders in community settings. It also makes her wonder why staff that directly care for the clients aren’t part of that decision-making process. Despite these challenges, Payne is extremely proud of her co-workers for following proper protocols and being proactive in preventing a catastrophe from happening. “I am so proud of my co-workers,” Payne said. “By taking the extra step and immediately calling authorities, whether the threats seem real or imagined — you have to report it. Our workers prevented a real tragedy from happening — someone could have been killed. Let’s face it, for the courts to position a developmentally disabled Level 1 sex offender in our group home with older disabled individuals who could easily be taken advantage of, is of great concern to us. It’s also a concern for our staff. No amount of training or supervision will prevent the inevitable.” Proper settings Over the years, OPWDD has moved the majority of the individuals in the agency’s care into community settings that often have minimal supervision. The agency has moved dangerous individuals, including sex offenders, into less restrictive community settings despite their need for a higher level of support and supervision. “Age, ability, gender, criminal history and other factors play For taxpayers, the cost of providing mental health services in jails is a wasteful and unnecessary expense. “Enough is enough,” Donohue said. “It’s time for a comprehensive mental health plan for the New York, which fully uses existing state resources including our mental health hospitals.” an important role on how group home residents co-exist and get along — not only with each other but with staff too,” Payne said. “Workplace violence is preventable. Obviously some individuals need more supervision and attention and some are just misplaced altogether. I have real mixed emotions about where we are headed with respect to caring for our most vulnerable group home residents. However, we are trying to stay positive and optimistic — our group home individuals are like family to us.” — Ove Overmyer 12 The Work Force September 2015
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