HARRISBURG, Pa. — More problems, few programs and growing impatience have mental health advocates calling on lawmakers in Harrisburg for help.
"We routinely hear from families who ask why it takes so long to get the needed help," said Annie Strite, mental health administrator for Cumberland and Perry County. "I’ve worked in the mental health system for 30 years and I’ve never seen it this difficult."
"This isn’t a one county issue, this isn’t a one city issue, this is a Commonwealth issue," added Michael Rivera, a Berks County commissioner and 2024 president of the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania.
Despite prevention efforts, Strite reports suicide rates have doubled in her area over the last year.
Between January and April 2023, Strite said Cumberland and Perry Counties saw eight suicides.
From January to April of this year, Strite reports there have been 17 suicides.
"We see the significant level of need and we see the hurt in people’s lives," Strite said.
Rivera states the state has neglected mental health funding for too long, putting a burden on county governments.
"We’re doing more services with less money understanding that with inflation we can buy less with the money that we have," Rivera said.
Last year’s budget broke a more than decade-long drought, giving counties $20 million in additional mental health funding.
Even with another $20 million increase proposed for this year, Strite says it won’t be enough.
"Cumberland and Perry Counties received $352,000," Strite said. "This year we’re projecting to have a $1.8 million deficit."
The County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania is asking the state for a $250 million increase to jumpstart the rebuild.
"Everyone is being affected by mental health," Rivera said. "It takes the work of the general assembly and the administration to be able to say we take this seriously. We need to put our money where our mouth is and provide the funding that we need for mental health."
If the funding is approved, Strite said it should be used to help counties provide much-needed residential services, as Perry and Cumberland Counties' 85 beds are full and 85 more are on wait lists.
Strite said it will take a longer-term plan to address the workforce needs, encouraging more people to enter the field and offering competitive wages.
Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have expressed support for more mental health funding.
The state budget must be finalized by June 30.