Pennsylvania is making progress in supporting youth mental health, according to a new report from Inseparable. The state now has about half the recommended number of school psychologists, nearly 36% of the counselors, and more than 75% of social workers.

Rep. Mike Schlossberg, D-Lehigh County, said recent investments are paying off, but stresses the need to continue comprehensive investments for school-based mental health so kids get help where they are.

"We have to also make sure that when they're not in school, they have access to therapy and resources that will help improve their mental health. We've made progress, but we have a long way to go before, I think we really get our arms around the undeniably bleak mental-health state of our children," he said.

The report also found that while Pennsylvania is making progress, it has failed to enact other key policies, including excused mental-health absences, training teachers and staff and school-linked mental-health services programs.

Schlossberg added that schools need more mental-health screenings before a crisis occurs. He said his legislation for early screenings passed committee last year but more work is still to be done to address the problem, and added improvements in workforce development are needed to meet growing demand.

"We do not have nearly enough behavioral health practitioners in the field that can give students or adults really the assistance that they need," he continued. "So, if we really want to get serious about improving the mental health of our kids and the population in general, we've got to invest more in workforce improvements to get everybody the help that they deserve."

Pennsylvania is one of 18 states allowing Medicaid billing for youth peer support.

Caitlin Hochul, vice president for public policy with Inseparable, said expanding Medicaid to cover all eligible students - including those without diagnoses - can boost access to care and bring in federal funds without added state costs.

"Leveraging that Medicaid funding is so important because so many kids are covered by Medicaid, almost 40%, and the numbers are even higher in rural areas, and that's where we're seeing a lot of under-resourced schools is in those rural areas," she said.

Hochul added that most states fall short of recommended staffing ratios, so the report offers policymakers suggestions to strengthen the mental-health workforce and support students through early intervention, mental-health days and school-based tele-mental health services.

Indiana families are preparing kids for back-to-school season, and mental-health experts say emotional readiness is just as important as school supplies.

Beth Trammell, a psychologist and professor at Indiana University East, said kids often carry anxiety into the new school year. She encouraged parents to help children identify those fears.

"We as parents or caregivers think, 'Don't worry, or don't stress.' Instead, we might want to say, 'OK, well, let's talk about what it is you're worried about. What is the worst thing you think could happen?' If we draw it out of them," she said, "it may give them space to kind of let that out."

Helping kids feel heard can reduce stress. But experts also urge balance, keeping mornings calm, easing into routines, and not overloading schedules the first few weeks.

Nicole Brady, chief medical officer at UnitedHealthcare, said mental-health support should remain a priority throughout the year.

"Though we want our kids to be involved in activities and be social," she said, "we have to watch their academic performance, their mood, those sleep patterns, and making sure that those are staying healthy."

Brady added that parents should talk regularly with kids, model healthy coping and seek help early if warning signs appear.


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After a legislative session which opened doors to expand mental health care services across Montana, a state commission said it is considering the Billings area to build the state's second forensic facility.

For people involved in Montana's justice system whom a judge has deemed not mentally fit for their own defense, there are 53 beds in the state's only forensic facility in Galen. The daily waitlist hovers at about 100 people.

Matt Kuntz, executive director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness-Montana, said it is not meeting the immense need.

"It's just a really bad situation for the people that are in the jails, for the people that are caring for them, for the taxpayers," Kuntz outlined. "It just doesn't work for anybody."

At a recent commission meeting, Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services Director Charlie Brereton said the state is identifying a location for a new facility. The department received nearly $27 million from the state in April to fund project planning.

Kuntz noted the Montana Legislature passed many bills this session centered on mental health care.

"We really were able to get big wins in access to outpatient care, access to crisis care and for people in need of forensic hospital," Kuntz explained. "Overall, it was really an amazing legislative session for Montanans with mental health conditions."

Other mental health legislation will boost school-based services, youth in residential care, the state's 988 crisis line and certified community behavioral health clinics.


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The California Parent and Youth Helpline is in serious jeopardy after Gov. Gavin Newsom cut it from the new state budget, saying the money was needed to support medical services.

Advocates said they are puzzled because the governor has championed the helpline for years, and lawmakers approved $3 million from a separate fund dedicated to mental health, which does not affect the deficit.

Lisa Pion-Berlin, president and CEO of the nonprofit Parents Anonymous, which runs the helpline, said it is still operating 24/7, for now.

"We're holding on for the next month or so," Pion-Berlin pointed out. "But we need the state to step up, or one of these well-off philanthropists who cares about having that immediate help for emotional support, which is so vital."

Advocates are hoping funding can be restored via a budget trailer bill in the next few weeks. People can call or text and reach the helpline's trained counselors at 877-427-2736. The free helpline has connected with more than 120,000 people since its inception five years ago, and the website CAParentYouthHelpline.org has reached a million more.

Pion-Berlin noted a study in the Journal of Technology in Human Services found a call to the helpline can quickly ease parents' suffering and feelings of isolation.

"The research said that 85% of the callers in less than 30 minutes feel more positive, more hopeful and able to address their issues," Pion-Berlin reported. "There is no other service or pill I know that can do that in 30 minutes or less."

Parents Anonymous also offers free weekly support groups to steer parents and kids through emotional crises of all kinds.