LANCASTER, Pa. — May is Mental Health Awareness Month.
State lawmakers and mental health advocates say one of the main concerns this year is lack of funding for mental health programs in Pennsylvania.
On Thursday, they will met with voters and mental health advocates at Eden Resorts and Suites for a breakfast to discuss ways to address the mental health crisis across the Commonwealth.
But what does this current crisis look like in Pennsylvania?
Many mental health advocates point to the worker shortage, which can limit access to mental health care and create excessive wait times.
At least 152 million people across the country live in a mental health workforce shortage, according to the most recent data from Mental Health America, with Pennsylvania ranking 33 out of 51 when it comes to comes to the number of people seeking treatment to providers.
And for children, it looks even worse.
In a 2015 study by the National Alliance of Mental Illness, they recommended there should 47 child and adolescent psychiatrists per 100,000 children in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania had about 16. That’s only 422 child and adolescent psychiatrists for 2.7 million children.
With rising costs from inflation, mental health advocates say workers are leaving and programs are closing here in south central Pennsylvania.
“People are leaving the mental health field cause they’re just not making enough," said Kim McDevitt, the executive director with Mental Health America of Lancaster County. "They’re closing programs in Lancaster County because there isn’t funding.”
Gov. Shapiro and state lawmakers approved a $20 million increase to county mental health funding in last year’s budget. But mental health advocates say that’s not nearly enough to sustain the mental health system.
While $20 million may keep the status quo, rising costs and a dramatic workforce shortage have advocates and state lawmakers worried it's just a drop in the bucket.
The County Commissioners Association is asking the state for a $250 million increase to help improve services. It would be funneled through the state's funding formula and split amongst Pennsylvania's 67 counties.
"I think it's a realistic number," Rep. James Struzzi, Indiana County, said. "I have asked the County Commissioners Association to show us how that money would be used."
"In order to address it," said Michael Schlossberg, Lehigh County. "We need to build the political will to say 'you know what? I want to spend money in that area. I don't care what it takes.'"