There is no question mental illness and suicide are among the greatest challenges facing our youth in Pennsylvania and across the country.

The statistics are tragic:

• An estimated 193,000 Pennsylvanians aged 12-17 have depression – and more than half did not receive therapy or mental health care.
• An estimated 447,000 adults in Pennsylvania currently struggle with a serious mental illness, half of which begin by age 14.
• 1,955 Pennsylvanians died by suicide in 2021, one of the highest recorded numbers ever.

Schools need tools and resources to help identify children and teens with mental health issues and get those children the support and help they need.

That’s why I will be introducing a package of bills to ensure schools can perform mental health screenings for students in grades six through twelve.

The first bill establishes a mental health screening assessment process with PDE to determine the ability of schools to implement and perform mental health screenings in grades six through twelve.
The second establishes the School Mental Health Screening Grant and Development Program with PDE to provide funding to schools to ensure they have what they need to perform mental health screenings.

These screeners will help us to better understand the needs of our students even as we address access to treatment and care when mental health conditions first become noticeable.

Please consider joining me in sponsoring this important legislation.