HARRISBURG — On Thursday, Gov. Tom Wolf announced his new initiative “Reach Out PA: Your Mental Health Matters,” which aims to expand access to mental health resources for Pennsylvanians, including seniors.
“For those struggling with their mental health, we have one message: your mental health matters and it’s OK to reach out for help,” Wolf said.
According to a press release, the campaign “includes developing new health insurance coverage state regulations, coordinating services for physical and behavioral health, analyzing pay and other factors for those who provide mental health services and finding ways to get more social workers into schools.”
In addition, the campaign aims to train more state workers in suicide prevention, assess Department of Military and Veterans Affairs resources regarding post-traumatic stress disorder and self-harm and widen Aging Department information and training about dementia.
LeadingAge PA President and CEO Adam Marles commended Wolf for “taking this critical step in helping countless Pennsylvanians address mental health issues.”
The organization’s staff, who completed the training and became Dementia Friends in 2019, are pleased Wolf’s initiative will include a program teaching volunteers how a senior can live his or her best life with dementia.
“As one of the grayest states in the nation, access to critical mental care for seniors is increasingly important. LeadingAge PA looks forward to working with the Wolf administration and the Dementia Friends program to help improve the lives of Pennsylvania seniors who are fighting this disease,” said Marles.
The County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP) supported Wolf’s initiative, emphasizing the importance of mental health services, though noted lack of funding can also have a direct impact on the availability of services.
“Counties support the attention being given to the mental health needs of our citizens through the Governor’s ‘Reach Out PA” initiative, but funding levels for county mental health services also have direct impacts on whether these important community and family supports will be available. For too many years, we have seen state funding for mental health services lag far behind needs even as caseloads continue to increase,” said Jeff Snyder, CCAP president and Clinton County commissioner.
“Increasing mental health base funds for expanded services, beds and diversions is the top priority for Pennsylvania counties in 2020. At the same time, the commonwealth must continue to support the successful Behavioral HealthChoices program, which for the past 20 years has allowed each county the flexibility to deliver mental health and drug and alcohol services to Pennsylvanians enrolled in Medicaid,” noted Lisa Schaefer, executive director of CCAP. “Close collaboration between the commonwealth and its county partners is critical to fully support Pennsylvania’s mental health system and the needs of our citizens who are impacted by mental illness.”
