Mental Health Funding

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The Problem

For the past 13 years, Cumberland-Perry Mental Health has seen flat or decreased state funding, and faces a $2.5 million deficit. This deficit puts mental health services at risk. 

Who It Affects

  • Children, Adults, & Families
  • County Human Services
  • Community Law Enforcement & EMS 
  • EVERYONE

By The NumbersPopulation vs Mental Health Base Funds: Cumberland & Perry Counties

  • Cumberland County is the fastest growing county in PA, growing 10.2% from 2010 - 2020, and an additional estimated 3.5% from 2020 - 2022.
  • State mental health funding in 2009 was $11,037,953. In 2023 it was $10,492,021.
  • 911 received more than 1228 calls in 2022 for psychiatric assistance from police departments.
  • Our county prison housed 342 people with a mental illness diagnoses in 2022.
  • 13% of youth entering the Juvenile Probation system have had thoughts of suicide.
  • 377 children were referred to our Children & Youth Services due to mental illness in 2022.  
  • Involuntary mental health commitment petitions increased 73% from 2019 to 2022.

Investing in Mental Health, A Call for Sustainable Funding Town Hall handout (pdf)

What Happens If Funding Isn't Received

Cuts could be made to mental health services provided by the county. While no exact cuts have been determined, our list of services includes community employment, consumer driven services, social rehabilitation, family support services, housing support services, residential services, community service (CSP/PULSE), CASSP/ESAP & Teenline.

What We Are Doing

Legislative Outreach 

A meeting was held with state legislators and county officials on March 29, 2023 to discuss the mental health budget deficit and the effects it will have on our services provided.

Mental Health Town Halls 

MH Town Hall . Lower Allen Township Bldg . Panelists

Newport: May 24 (6-7:30pm)

Shippensburg: May 1 (6-7:30pm)

Carlisle: April 19 (6-7:30pm)

Lower Allen Township: April 3 (6-7:30pm)

How You Can Help

Reach out to your state legislators and let them know how important mental health services are to our community, and the negative impact insufficient state funding will have on our Cumberland-Perry Mental Health services.

Find your legislator and their contact information. 

In The News