May 01, 2024 - Harrisburg, PA
The Shapiro Administration encouraged Pennsylvanians to focus on their mental health as leaders from multiple agencies marked May as Trauma and Mental Health Awareness Month. Pennsylvania is focused on expanding access to trauma-informed and healing-centered approaches so we can better respond to the needs of Commonwealth residents who have had adverse childhood or other serious, traumatic experiences to prevent and heal trauma.The Shapiro Administration is committed to prioritizing the mental health and wellness of all residents. In the 2023-24 budget, Governor Josh Shapiro secured $100 million for student mental health services and $20 million for county mental health support. The 2024-25 budget proposal matches those investments and takes it a step further by investing: • $100 million in mental health funding for K-12 schools, building upon one-time federal funds and ensuring schools have the continued resources to provide mental health services to students and staff; • Increasing funding for community-based mental health services by an additional $20 million this year and calling for additional funds in successive years, reaching an overall increase of $60 million per year by 2025-26; and • $10 million for 988 crisis hotline operations to enhance Pennsylvania's crisis intervention services, and • $5 million for establishing and maintaining walk-in mental health crisis stabilization centers.Prolonged exposure to adversity, stress, and trauma - particularly in early childhood - can cause lasting harm and contribute to some of the most pressing social and health challenges.
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