Last week, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed legislation to allocate $100 million in federal funding to address the state’s mental health needs. 

The additional funding would help bolster the behavioral health industry’s workforce, improve the criminal justice and public safety systems, and expand access to support. 

“It’s time to get this money out the door to serve Pennsylvanians,” said State Rep. Mike Schlossberg, the bill’s sponsor, in a statement. “I am grateful for the bipartisan support the legislation received and look forward to working with the Senate and Governor Josh Shapiro to get this done so we can get people the help they need.”

The proposal of the $100 million funding stems from the establishment of the Behavioral Health Commission on Adult Mental Health, which was established by the General Assembly as part of the 2022-23 state budget. 

The commission is comprised of a 24-person group of experts in the behavioral health field, advocates and providers who are tasked with providing recommendations to the General Assembly on how to appropriate the funding. 

The recommendations are:

• $34 million to workforce development and retention in behavioral health, including training, paid internships, loan repayment and tuition assistance for aspiring mental health professionals. 
• $31.5 million to expand criminal justice and public safety programs and grants administered by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.
• $18 million for suicide prevention
• $10 million for behavioral health integration by primary care practitioners and practices.
• $3.5 million for grants to develop peer-led mental health and substance use disorder services.
• $3 million for the state Department of Human Services to make grants for technology and training for behavioral health telehealth providers.

“We know the problems and we have solutions. It is time to get this money into programs that can help people who need it across our commonwealth,” said Schlossberg. 

“This money will have a deeply personal impact on people across the commonwealth,” Schlossberg told NBC10. 

According to statistics, approximately 1.7 million Pennsylvanians live in a community with a lack of mental health professionals. 

In the last year, 98,000 children between the ages of 12 and 17 have been diagnosed with depression; however, 57% of them were unable to receive any care.

This particular bill is one of several related to addressing the commonwealth’s mental health needs, including legislation to support children’s mental health in schools; ongoing funding for 988, the suicide prevention hotline; and funding for county services. 

The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline was launched in July 2022 and allows anyone in the U.S. to call, chat or text the number to receive support and resources during a suicide, mental health or substance use crisis. 

On June 14, 2023, legislation was introduced by State Rep. Stephen Kinsey to establish funding for Pennsylvania’s Suicide and Crisis Lifeline as part of Gov. Josh Shapiro’s budget proposal. 

The proposal is to make it similar to how communities fund 911 by creating a monthly fee on all wireless devices to ensure those emergency services will not experience any funding gaps. 

“With the ongoing mental health crisis affecting Pennsylvanians across the commonwealth, it’s crucial we ensure a critical resource in 988 is funding sustainably so they can be reliable to help folks suffering with their mental health,” said Rep. Kinsey in a statement. 

“Today, we took a step toward strengthening and solidifying this lifeline that can help so many,” he added. 

Both bills have been sent to the State Senate.