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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Chaplain Dr. Victoria Phillips, Founder/CEO of Visionary V, on B-HEARD and Mental Health Crisis Response
4:55:55
ยท
5 min
Chaplain Dr. Victoria Phillips, a mental health advocate, provides testimony on the B-HEARD program and mental health crisis response in New York City. She criticizes the limited coverage and hours of the B-HEARD program, emphasizes the need for 24/7 mental health services, and shares personal experiences to highlight the importance of de-escalation training and accountability in crisis response.
- Argues for expansion of B-HEARD to all communities and 24/7 operation
- Highlights systemic failures in addressing mental health needs, particularly in vulnerable populations
- Emphasizes the importance of cultural humility, person-centered language, and comprehensive de-escalation training for first responders
Dr. Victoria Phillips
4:55:55
Peace and blessings, everyone.
4:55:57
All chairs and council members.
4:55:59
I'm chapter in doctor Montoya Phillips AKA, Doctor V, and today I'm speaking from several volunteer and contractor positions.
4:56:06
We heard had a pilot prior prior to the pandemic.
4:56:10
Right?
4:56:10
I believe it was focused more on the upper east side.
4:56:14
Now there are 31 and police stations out of 77.
4:56:18
These numbers are disrespectful.
4:56:20
Expand to all communities, not just those ZIP codes, the city favors.
4:56:24
We are all New Yorkers.
4:56:25
That's like having an officer on tour in our communities without being CPR certified or fire alarm trained.
4:56:32
9 AM to 1 AM, this is being heard hours of operation.
4:56:35
As a doula, I know our society doesn't tell his mother's wounds what time to deliver their children.
4:56:40
Do we monitor the hours unexpected fire issue breakout?
4:56:43
What time is appropriate for car accidents to occur?
4:56:46
So why am I saying all these things?
4:56:48
Because we don't ignore the basic human need and right around the clock to physical care.
4:56:53
So why are we doing it from mental health treatment?
4:56:55
I worked in nursing in regular ER and in the ER from mental health, which is known as CPAP comprehensive psychiatric emergency program.
4:57:03
For many, many years.
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The system is failing us the most vulnerable populations.
4:57:10
I said Mister Carter's name on this record previously because our city agencies failed him as well.
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The shelter system, the hospital systems, the police department, the DA, the judge, department of corrections where he died less than 72 hours upon arriving on Reikus I Reikus Island.
4:57:25
68% of those who meant to health concerns do not receive the mental health treatment they need while incarcerated.
4:57:31
On this point, let me also state on the American hospitalization can also be a form of detainment.
4:57:37
As an army brat who grew up listening at my bedroom door to the last and trauma of deployment assignments discussed by my serving parents and their platoon members, I'm programmed to hear the cries of others.
4:57:46
To advocate creating implement lasting change.
4:57:49
That can only begin by us all holding ourselves accountable, elected officials, community members, and all peers accountable every day.
4:57:55
As clergy, I know no one escapes.
4:57:57
Can I just get a few as clergy, I know no one escapes cross and past with mental health concerns?
4:58:02
From the law enforcement officers who personally ring my crisis line in the middle of the night to principals who refer who are referred to me by superintendents.
4:58:10
And physical disabilities meant to have concerns, developmental delays, etcetera.
4:58:13
As a brain surgeon, Obama, I pray personally know no one has patients anymore, including service providers and medical and mental health care.
4:58:21
Police often enter our communities already put off.
4:58:23
Yes.
4:58:23
We heard these additional languages.
4:58:25
We'll also make sure those who do sign language and any other means to communicate have access as well.
4:58:31
Let me be clear.
4:58:32
Culture humility is key.
4:58:33
Our city has zero excuses to not meet the demands of its residents.
4:58:38
We are the people.
4:58:39
Officers need to use person centered language and should fall back on these radio runs.
4:58:44
My community knows NYPD leads all calls that they respond to, recalls of what you heard on the record today.
4:58:50
The answers and examples given today were full of fluff.
4:58:53
Lastly, I'll finish my saying from a public safety perspective, I can recall working at the largest SRO in the nation.
4:58:59
My client with no substance abuse had a gun in my office.
4:59:03
He didn't point it at me nor was it actually loaded, but I didn't know that in the moment.
4:59:07
And I say that because it was early evening, one of the late nights that I was giving medication and literally minimum staff I had to utilize all the escalation tools and trainings that were given to me to keep myself safe.
4:59:21
And guess what?
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He ended up handing me his gun, and that's how I found out.
4:59:25
It wasn't even loaded.
4:59:26
And then one other example, very quickly, years later in 2011, I was held hostage in a Micah shelter.
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We had just opened up.
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I had no working phone in my office, and not one security officer may round to the 9th off over two and a half hours.
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My high needs client, who was recently released after 30 years, said I reminded him of a woman who he had previously raped and stabbed by a Fordham universe, by the time security had appeared.
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I had my clients sitting on the floor in the front of my door.
4:59:57
The excuse lady in front of my door, the excuse lady was security with short staff.
5:00:03
I say all that to say, the escalation training is a month.
5:00:06
But more importantly is holding those accountable to actually use it.
5:00:09
Too many times police resort to uses of force when it isn't necessary.
5:00:13
I know my examples are extreme, but even in those moments, life can be preserved and still should hold value.
5:00:20
9,000,000 calls was stated today from the day of 2023.
5:00:24
And one of the the department members said only 1700 uses of force.
5:00:32
Out of 174,893 coals that they responded to last year divide that by 1700.
5:00:39
That equals 102.87.
5:00:41
So out of every 102 people, a use of force was actually done, and CCIT trained officers should be also 100 CCI training should be 100% at this point.
5:00:54
It and it also should not be rushed nor overlooked.
5:00:56
The curriculum facilitators should have time to flush out concerns, questions that be held accountable for their own biases they might bring.
5:01:03
To the trainings.
5:01:05
And if classes doubled in size, has the time doubled in size to deliver the message and materials peace and blessings?