Public Hearing on

"Proposed Standard for Safety and Security in the Public Sector throughout New York State"

Testimony of Amy Beth Taublieb, Ph.D.
Licensed Psychologist

Buffalo Psychiatric Center

New York State Public Employees Federation, AFL-CIO

June 24, 2003

    One of the most important factors to consider is the fact that our patient population is changing. Whereas the majority of our facilities and staff are quite well equipped to clinically treat the more "traditional" affective and psychotic disorders, as of late, our facilities are being inundated by patients with both internalizing and externalizing Axis II disorders. These patients with severe versions of character pathology not only impact negatively on the overall milieu of the treatment units, but, also, interact with other patients as well as staff in a manner which sabotages fundamental attempts at treatment. For example, when a patient plans a severe attack on a staff member (yes, this was my situation) because he wishes to "go to jail" and, therefore tries to "kill a doctor" to get there, the basic attempts to treat utilizing the tried and true medications just are not adequate. Indeed, without training for staff at all levels in terms of how to work with such patients, one can end up with the all too unfortunate situation of the "patient treating the staff." Finally, the forensic system also needs education in this area so that the commonly employed philosophy "they are mental health patients so of course they do not know what they are doing" is eliminated.

    We are doing a disservice to our patient population as well as to our staff when we do not diagnose accurately and treat accordingly. Tragically, this disservice can often result in disastrous consequences. Please consider these concerns when you make your decision on recommending a standard on safety and security to the Commissioner of Labor.