UNITED - Rev. Al Sharpton joins PEF Region 10 Coordinator Jennifer Faucher with members at Harlem rally.
- Photo by Bob Jackson
Workers march, rally to save mental-health services in Harlem
Concern over downsizing at Manhattan Psychiatric Center (MPC) brought hundreds of workers, clergy and community leaders onto the streets of Manhattan last month.
Led by downstate leaders of PEF and the Civil Service Employees Association, the workers marched from the Manhattan Psychiatric Center on Ward's Island, across the Triboro Bridge and on to the Adam Clayton Powell State Office Building on 125th Street in Harlem.
The demonstrators were angry over the state Office of Mental Health's decision to stop admitting patients at MPC - except for referrals from Rikers Island prison. Instead, the patients are being sent nearly 40 miles away to Rockland Psychiatric Center. PEF leaders said that is treating the mentally ill in Harlem, unfairly.
"It's outrageous for the state to deny services to the mentally ill people in this community, when there is a nearby facility staffed with highly trained, dedicated, health-care professionals," said PEF Vice President Jean Debow. "There's no reason for them to leave their families and community to get the help they need when it's available right here."
"We want the state to stop the downsizing at MPC and to again allow new patients to be referred there for care," added PEF Region 10 Coordinator Jennifer Faucher.
The PEF leaders also called on the state to restore staff and services at the out-patient mental-health clinic in the Powell State Office Building.
The demonstrators also heard from civil-rights activist the Rev. Al Sharpton, CSEA regional President George Boncoraglio, New York City Council Members Una Clark and William Perkins, the Rev. Ollie B. Wells of Union Baptist Church and local union leaders at Manhattan Psychiatric Center.