The decision by the administration to close the Elmira Psychiatric Center (EPC) is a disastrous decision for residents of the 11-county region that will suffer the consequences. The EPC has provided an irreplaceable service to the mentally ill community in our rural region and has shown itself to be one of the most innovative, high quality and cost effective centers in New York State. Now patients and families will have to travel hours away to Buffalo to receive the necessary comprehensive care that was once nearby. The simple fact is that it is highly unlikely that a network of community-based organizations will be able to replace the center in our region, as the administration has proposed.

Not only is this decision going to have enormous consequences for the individuals and families who rely on these essential services, but it will also be a blow to our upstate economy with the potential loss of 250 jobs. The mentally ill are one of our most vulnerable communities, and it is imperative to ensure they have the care they require, not only for their health and safety, but for other residents as well.

I find this decision all the more confusing in the context of this administration’s SAFE Act, which calls for a greater role to be played by mental health officials to ensure potentially unstable individuals don’t have access to firearms. Since its passage, mental health experts have continued to say that we must do more to provide even greater access and support to those who need essential mental health services. This decision runs totally contrary to the need for expanded access to services. How can we ask an already overburdened group of mental health workers to play a greater role in public safety while simultaneously cutting access to the services they provide?

I and my fellow local officials, at all levels of government, will do everything we can to stress to the governor and his administration just how immensely important the Elmira Psychiatric Center is and urge him to reconsider this decision.