CSEA is working with the state Office of Mental Health (OMH) officials to address ongoing violence toward direct care workers at OMH facilities, particularly following several recent incidents that have harmed union members.
Mootry
CSEA OMH Labor-Management Committee Chair Lovette Mootry, who also serves as our union’s Buffalo Psychiatric Center Local president, said the committee has been tirelessly working to advocate for our union members, as well as policies that protect staff and patients.
“The tragic incidents [last year], including the stabbing of a CSEA member at Buffalo Psychiatric Center and the horrific violence at Kingsboro Psychiatric Center, make it painfully clear that far more must be done to protect direct care workers,” said Mootry.
Mootry added that committee members have worked hard to move OMH in the right direction of protecting the staff and patients.
“We need the state to demonstrate the same commitment to protecting staff as it does to protecting patients, We need a vigorous proactive approach from OMH,” said Mootry. “The reality is that the patients we care for today present more significant challenges than ever before, yet staff protections remain stagnant lacking safety precautions. Common-sense safety measures, such as installing metal detectors in all areas of psychiatric centers—including outpatient facilities—are long overdue.”
OMH officials have taken positive steps to address violence, including establishing a safety director at the centers. but further actions are needed to fully keep direct care workers safe, but our union is advocating for more vigorous action to keep workers safe on the job.
“While we appreciate the creation of a safety director position by OMH as a step in the right direction, this alone is insufficient to address the escalating dangers faced by staff in psychiatric facilities,” said Mootry.
Mootry noted that the committee is urging the state to take meaningful action to improve safety.
“The current environment requires immediate, decisive action to prevent further tragedies,” said Mootry. “The time for incremental changes is over. CSEA members deserve a safe working environment where they can focus on providing the highest level of care without fear for their personal safety. We urge the state to act now before more horrendous acts occur.”
Measures to increase OMH workplace safety
The CSEA OMH Labor-Management Committee is calling on OMH and the state to prioritize workplace safety through the following measures:
- Installing metal detectors and other security measures across all psychiatric facilities.
- Actively involving safety departments in all emergency situations.
- Preventative proactive searches of residences at random.
- Review of staffing ratios per shift in outpatient settings.
- Providing direct care staff with enhanced training and resources to manage the increasing challenges posed by the patient population, including decompensation, drug and alcohol abuse, and vicarious trauma.
- Uniformed settings and guidelines for similar residences and transitional living residence programs.
- Ensuring that staff and patient safety are treated as equally important priorities.
- Regulations changed to align with enhanced safety measures.
- Committing to a continued robust CSEA recruitment and retention effort to ensure and create a safe environment for all.
