PA Teen Mental Health Coalition Launches to Support Community-Based Organizations
Type: News
Focus Area: Teen Mental Health
The Teen Mental Health Coalition holds its first meeting via Zoom.
In Pennsylvania, a major step is being taken to address the growing mental health crisis among teenagers with the launch of the PA Teen Mental Health Coalition. This initiative, led by the Jewish Healthcare Foundation, aims to unite community-based organizations (CBOs) and supporting organizations across the commonwealth in advocating for policies and funding to support critical mental health prevention and early intervention services.
Recent data highlights the urgency of this initiative with 37.3% of Pennsylvania students in grades 6-12 reporting feeling sad or depressed most days in the past year and 27.9% of teens said they had no one to talk to when feeling sad, lonely, or worried. These statistics emphasize the increasing demand for accessible mental health support for Pennsylvania’s youth.
Recognizing the essential role CBOs play in providing these services, the coalition will work toward securing sustainable statewide investment in teen mental health. Currently, over 50 organizations have joined the Coalition, providing them opportunities to collectively advocate for policy change that supports funding for mental health programs, including participation in a Teen Mental Health Advocacy Day at the State Capitol on Monday, March 24; help shape policy recommendations to educate legislators on the importance of mental health services for teens; and contribute to discussions to inform the 2025-2026 State budget.
The coalition’s first meeting, held virtually on February 18, convened organizations interested in joining this movement. By coming together, advocates are working to create a stronger, more supportive system for Pennsylvania’s teens, ensuring they receive the mental health resources they need.
During the meeting, Christa Jones of Allegheny Family Network and Amanda Dunn of Big Brothers and Sisters of South-Central PA were highlighted for their work in the mental health space. The coalition members discussed strategies to support CBO’s including funding for the Building Opportunity through Out-of-School Time (BOOST) program presented by Contrell Armor of the PA Statewide Afterschool Youth Development Network, and optimizing Medicaid to improve the health of children and teens in Pennsylvania, presented by Kate Fox, DrPH(c), MPH of Children First and Radha Pennotti, MPH of CHOP Policy Lab.
Allegheny Family Network and Big Brothers and Sisters of South-Central PA were highlighted for their work in the mental health space. The meeting also included a discussion of policy strategies, including how to build opportunities through out-of-school time (BOOST) program funding, presented by Contrell Armor of the PA Statewide Afterschool Youth Development Network, and a presentation by Kate Fox of Children’s First on optimizing Medicaid to improve the health of children and teens in Pennsylvania.
To date, over 50 organizations who have signed on to be members of the Coalition include: Allegheny County Office of Behavioral Health, Allegheny Family Network, Allies for Children, Behavioral Health Alliance of Rural Pennsylvania, Bench Mark Program, Big Brothers Big Sisters of South-Central PA, Boys & Girls Clubs of Western PA, Brookline Teen Outreach, CASA Youth Advocates – Voices for Children Coalition, Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit, Chester County Department of Mental Health and Intellectual Development, Children First, CHOP Out Hunger, Citizens Against Physical Sexual and Emotional Abuse, Inc. (CAPSEA), Communities in Schools of Pennsylvania, Community Forge, Crossroads Foundation, Cure Violence East, Evidence-Based Prevention and Intervention Support (EPIS) at Penn State University, Family Promise, Family Services of Montgomery County, Free Fall Action Sports, Gwen’s Girls, Health Promotion Council, Highlands Partnership Network, Hugh Lane Wellness Foundation, Just Discipline Project – University of Pittsburgh, Kingsley Association, Mary’s Shelter, NEPA Youth Shelter, Northern Tier Community Action Corporation, PA Health Funders Collaborative, Penn State Extension, Pennsylvania Psychiatric Leadership Council, Pennsylvania Statewide Afterschool Youth Development Network, Pittsburgh Action Against Rape, PolicyLab at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Regional Engagement Center, SLB Radio Productions, Inc., Staunton Farm Foundation, The Beacon, The Lincoln Center for Family and Youth, The Mentoring Partnership, The Neighborhood Academy, Thomas Scattergood Behavioral Health Foundation, Touchstone Foundation, University of Pittsburgh, UPMC Children’s Hospital CATCH Empowering Teens to Thrive, UpStreet (JFCS), Women and Girls Foundation, Wyoming Valley AIDS Council DBA Xceed Center, Young Chances Foundation, YOUniversal Education Services, Youth Infusion, Inc., Youth MOVE PA, and Youth Volunteer Corps of Reading.
For more information or to join the coalition, click here.