On June 13th, NYSNA members took to the streets to bring awareness to our communities about the inpatient psychiatric unit closures. Rain or shine, NYSNA brought in passionate crowds, ready to take action at Allen Hospital, Montefiore Moses, Bellevue Hospital, Interfaith Medical and in Long Island.
Sean Petty, RN, explained what psychiatric patients face on a daily basis, “they [the patients] sit in the emergency rooms and our psychiatric emergencies rooms for days and days and days waiting to find a bed and to get admitted and to get the treatment they need.” It is clear that these units already lack enough beds for patients in need, there should not be further cuts to them. This is not just an issue at Allen Hospital, but it is a city-wide issue.
Raelynn Price, RN at Allen Hospital, echoed these concerns as she stated that the people’s interests aren’t being addressed. We must put our patients before profits, giving a voice to the most vulnerable populations across New York.
On Long Island, our focus was on Syosset Hospital/Northwell health, which plans to close their inpatient psychiatric services, greatly impacting Syosset and the surrounding communities. Enough is enough!
Right now, it is crucial that mental health services are protected and expanded to address the mental health crisis. Elected officials, such as NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer and Manhattan Borough President Aldrin Bonilla, who both attended the rallies yesterday, agree with us, and we are eager to continue working with them along with others to protect our patients.
To learn more about this issue and our efforts yesterday, check out this article!
Photos from the rally can be viewed here!
