CENTRE COUNTY, Pa (WJAC) — Is the state of Pennsylvania providing sufficient funding for mental health support services?
That is a question that has sparked disagreement between Governor Shapiro and many local county commissioners.
Mental health services seem to be increasing constantly, yet it’s a topic that can be difficult to discuss, to assess, and measure the impact of funding support.
“I think mental health is a major challenge in communities all across Pennsylvania. No community is immune from these challenges, so we have to continue to invest in mental health,” says Gov. Shapiro.
During an interview last week, the Governor pointed to his first year in office and the creation of a new mental health item in the state budget, for school districts, aimed at helping youngsters.
“We are also driving dollars out to counties for them to have dollars available for mental health adult services,” Shapiro added.
On that point, county commissioners may disagree. Specifically, on the amount of mental health money, in the new state budget, that is being included in what’s known as ‘community block grants’ to counties.
“For something like the 15th year in a row, all of the funding for the human services block grant, and many of the human service agencies, is flat for 15 years. Which basically means a cut every single year.”
While there is a separate line item for mental health funding for counties, that allocation is being reviewed.
“I believe mental health funding, statewide, has been cut by 17 million dollars. It’s been somewhat covered by a one time, 20 million dollar, single-year allocation towards mental health, for a net increase of three million dollars across the Commonwealth. Which equates to not even 50 cents per person.”
According to the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania, in 2022, 1.5 million adults experienced mental illness statewide.