The 'ripple effects' include children in dangerous situations, people going to jail and homelessness.
Annie Strite, who oversees mental health services in Cumberland and Perry counties, spoke to county commissioners and news reporters about a severe shortage of services on March 8, 2023. Photo credit: David Wenner, PennLive.Cumberland County officials this week described major shortages of mental health services, saying the “ripple effects” include children and families going without badly needed help, people ending up in jail and homelessness.
The discussion came a day after Gov. Josh Shapiro released his first proposed state budget — one he said puts high priority on mental health needs. That includes more access to school counselors, increased funding for counties -- which are the main providers of mental health services -- and crisis intervention aimed at farmers and the agricultural community.
The stressed “ripple effects” of unmet mental health needs, saying failing to provide services now will lead to future costs. Nikki McElwee, who oversees services for children and youth, cited an increase in “complex cases.” She called it a “direct correlation” of being unable to receive mental health services, crisis intervention and family services to enable children to “go home safely.”
The $2.5 million deficit described by Strite won’t be helped by the new state budget, which still must undergo the standard, long negotiation process before approval by state lawmakers, and which will cover the 2023-24 fiscal year.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Belligerent Chinese Foreign Minister Threatens ‘Reckless’ U.S. with ‘Catastrophic’ ConflictChinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang, who assumed the post only two months ago, held his first annual press conference Tuesday and was remarkably belligerent toward the United States.
Read more »
Veterans testify of ‘catastrophic’ impact of Afghan collapseThe initial hearing of a long-promised investigation by House Republicans displayed the open wounds from the end of America’s longest war in August 2021, with witnesses recalling how they saw…
Read more »
Veterans testify of 'catastrophic' impact of Afghan collapseWASHINGTON (AP) — Active-service members and veterans provided firsthand testimony Wednesday about the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, describing in harrowing detail the carnage and death they witnessed on the ground while imploring Congress to help the allies left behind.
Read more »
Veterans testify of 'catastrophic' impact of Afghan collapseTestimony focused not on the decision to withdraw, but on what witnesses depicted as a desperate attempt to rescue American citizens and Afghan allies with little U.S. planning and inadequate U.S. support.
Read more »
Veterans testify of 'catastrophic' impact of Afghan collapseTestimony focused not on the decision to withdraw, but on what witnesses depicted as a desperate attempt to rescue American citizens and Afghan allies with little U.S. planning and inadequate U.S. support.
Read more »
Veterans testify of 'catastrophic' impact of Afghan collapseActive-service members and veterans have provided first-hand testimony in the House of Representatives about the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, describing in harrowing detail the carnage and death they witnessed on the ground.
Read more »