Frequently Asked Questions

Residents of Cumberland or Perry Counties may call either Merakey 717.243.6033 x234  -OR- Penn State Holy Spirit;717.763.2219. Ask for Intake

Services can also be accessed via the following methods:

1. CASSP Elementary School Based Program
2. Elementary Student Assistance Program (ESAP)
3. Student Assistance Program (SAP)- secondary schools 
4. Base Service Unit- BSU Merakey  or Penn State Holy Spirit
5. Network Providers- contact member services on the back of your insurance card
6. Perform Care- Behavioral Health Managed Care Organization under Medical Assistance 
7. Doctor/ Physician’s office
8. Emergency Room- Crisis 

Residents who have medical assistance (or HealthChoices) can contact PerformCare of Pa at 888.722.8646 and ask for member services. 

For residents with limited or no private insurance coverage, no eligibility for Medical Assistance / HealthChoices, and no other resources to pay for mental health services, the County Mental Health Program Office funds local agencies to provide behavioral health services. The County Program also pays for selected specialized services that typical private insurance and HealthChoices do not cover. Priority is given to persons with serious and persistent mental illness.

To receive a prescription requires an evaluation by a staff psychiatrist or certified nurse practitioner and are ordinarily scheduled six weeks to two months in advance. The best thing to do immediately is to contact the doctor who has been seeing you and arrange for prescriptions to cover you for up to two months. Then contact either The Stevens Center in Carlisle at 717.243.6033 (x225 or x234) or Holy Spirit Behavioral Health Center in Camp Hill at 717.763.2219 and ask for intake.

If the behavior is threatening or violent, take steps to protect (remove) yourself and loved ones immediately, then call the police (9-1-1). If you believe there is a medical emergency, call 9-1-1 immediately. If the behavior is not immediately dangerous, call Crisis Intervention at 717.763.2222 or 988.

The Pennsylvania office of Attorney General runs a youth violence prevention program.  Recognize warning signs and signals, especially within social media, from individuals who may be a threat to themselves or others and to “say something” BEFORE it is too late. With Safe2Say Something, it’s easy and confidential to report safety concerns to help prevent violence and tragedies

All private insurance companies issue member cards. Usually there is a phone number for member services on that card to get information regarding services and providers. If you are uncertain about your coverage, contact your employers Human Resources Department to understand your coverage. 

Many insurance companies now also maintain websites with similar information available.

Act 65 of 2020 allows children ages 14 and up to consent for their own mental health treatment, which cannot be overridden by their parent/legal guardian's refusal. However, this act also clearly states that parents/legal guardians can consent to mental health treatment for their children, of any age, with or without the child's consent. 2020 Act 65 - PA General Assembly (state.pa.us)

Abbreviations and Acronyms