Employees, area officials and former patients rally to stop closure of MV Psych Center
By: Jennifer Lee
Updated: April 27, 2012
Lawmakers and employees of the Mohawk Valley Psychiatric Center rallied at the State Office Building.
The rally was to protest against the closing of the Psychiatric Center in Utica.
About 140 jobs are at stake and patients of the facility may be relocated or released all together.
The employees of the Mohawk Valley Psychiatric Center say the Office of Mental Health is making a big mistake.
Today, they wanted to let officials know how this can negatively impact the patients and families in our area.
"This is their home. You're taking their home away from them," said one protestor.
Former patients, families and health care workers from the Mohawk Valley Psychiatric Center marched, rallied ad made their voices heard.
The Office of Mental Health announced earlier this year it would be closing the inpatient wards at the Mohawk Valley Psychiatric Center in Utica and transfer some patients to Hutchings Psychiatric Center in Syracuse.
Participants were joined by Assemblyman Anthony Brindisi and Senator Joseph Griffo both who are pushing to stop the closure of the facility.
"We feel that a better explanation should be forthcoming to this community. We are owed that. The patients are owed that," says Jeanette St. Mary, a worker at the facility.
Jeanette along with the State Public Employees Federation and the Civil Service Employees Association say they need more transparency from the Office of Mental Health.
Many are still wondering how this move would be a cost savings for the state.
"Regardless of my position my concern is for the patients. The patients continued care in the facility and the burden that causes to the families if they have to go to Syracuse for long term care," said St. Mary.
Diane Hunt, a former patient at the facility in Utica says some patients are not ready to be released.
"I know for me as a patient it meant a lot for me to have my visits for my recovery and a lot of these patients will be stuffed under the rug being sent to Syracuse," said Hunt.
Some former patients also fear in the rise in crime if the patients are released.
Both Assemblyman Brindisi and Senator Griffo met with the Governor's Office earlier this week concerning the closure.
The Office of Mental Health did not get back to Eyewitness News regarding this matter as of news time today.
