Chesco Commissioners Call For Increase In Mental Health Funding

WEST CHESTER —Citing a substantial increase in the need for mental health services that was exacerbated by the pandemic, the Chester County commissioners last week approved a resolution calling for an increase in state funding for community-based mental health programs.

“We are seeing people, from children to seniors, struggling with mental illness,” said Marian Moskowitz, chairwoman. “We know from the data collected by our key partners like ambulance services, emergency rooms, hospitals, and our colleagues in law enforcement that the need has increased substantially in recent years. We must do more to help, and that requires investment.”

May is designated Mental Health Awareness Month to focus attention on cultivating compassion for others suffering from anxiety, depression and other mental health issues.

According to the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania, the current state of mental health is "crumbling.”

Chester County commissioners are joining colleagues throughout Pennsylvania in submitting the resolution with a letter reinforcing the call for funding to the state legislators who represent Chester County, as well as the governor’s office and the PA Department of Human Services.

In 2012, the Commonwealth cut $84 million that counties used to fund programs for people with intellectual disabilities, mental health challenges, and other needs, forcing programs to close and leaving the human services system in a vulnerable state.

The association reports that state funding has lagged far behind needs and caseloads, negatively affecting services while also putting additional tension on communities and local budgets.

In 2021, the total expenditures in Chester County for mental health and intellectual disabilities was $30.8 million, with a cost to Chester County of $984,750, according to budget records.

Chester County and other Pennsylvania counties provide essential community-based mental health services such as crisis intervention, community residential programs, outpatient and intensive clinical care, and family-based support services, all of which are critical to the well-being of residents and communities, according to the county.

“Counties, including ours, are seeing demands for mental health services in communities that far exceed state funding levels,” said Chester County Commissioner Josh Maxwell. “Without adequate and sustainable funding, we are concerned that we could experience an increase in homelessness and unwarranted jail time for people with mental health issues.”

Mental Health program to T/E parents

In March, Tredyffrin/Easttown School District, hosted a zoom call for parents to provide information on how the pandemic may have impacted their children’s mental health.

Dr. Jon Mattleman, a renowned child psychologist based in Boston, said that parents should be on the lookout for their children experiencing increased anxiety during the pandemic.

He said there are many reasons people are anxious, including being isolated from people and by social media.

Mattleman said that anxiety doesn’t go away, but it helps to debrief. He said anxiety could lead to suicide.

Jeanne Braun, a community volunteer services coordinator, recommended telling your children you love them.

Chester County Working On Mental Health Call Center

County planners are in the process of setting up a call center.

This would include a call center where trained, qualified staff would take the calls and interact with the caller to provide immediate assistance; a crisis response team to be dispatched to help in-person; and a stabilization center, where individuals who are in a mental health crisis could go for stabilization and evaluative services.

“We need to build upon existing services to ensure our coverage is as comprehensive as it needs to be,” Michelle Kichline said.

The County currently offers a mental health crisis hotline run by Valley Creek Crisis Center at 866-846-2722.