Glade Run Lutheran Services in Zelienople, which provides mental health services in the region, has been hit by staffing shortages, though it was also able to expand programs and care during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Maggie Caesar, vice president of clinical services at Glade Run.

At least 1 in 10 students in Butler County across grades six, eight, 10 and 12 seriously considered suicide in the past year, according to results released from the 2021 Pennsylvania Youth Survey, a survey administered across the state to assess student substance abuse and behavior.

According to the survey, in Butler County, 13.3% of sixth-graders, 15.4% of eighth-graders, 19.0% of 10th-graders and 17.5% of 12th-graders seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year.

Those responding to the survey — 27.6% of sixth-graders, 29.5% of eighth-graders, 29.6% of 10th-graders, and 33.6% of 12th-graders in Butler County — reported feeling so sad or hopeless almost every day for two weeks or more in a row that they stopped doing usual activities. In the county, 5.5% of sixth-graders, 8.7% of eighth-graders, 9.3% of 10th-graders and 9.5% of 12th-graders reported having attempted suicide one or more times in the past year.A portion of this story is shared with you as a digital media exclusive.

If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, call the Mental Health Crisis Number at 800-292-3866 or text 63288.

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