Shapiro’s budget includes 988 funding initiative
Across the commonwealth, 988 suicide and crisis call centers — including the one operated by the Center for Community Resources that receives calls from people in crisis from 24 counties — could receive additional state funding, according to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s proposed 2024-25 budget.
State Department of Human Services Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh visited the Center for Community Resources on South Main Street, along with its 988 call center, referral and interim housing unit on East North Street on Thursday, May 30, to discuss Shapiro’s proposed budget, and its impact on behavioral health and crisis services.
The proposed budget includes $20 million for county mental health base funding for the second year in a row, $10 million in state funding to support Pennsylvania’s call centers and staff, and $5 million to establish and maintain walk-in mental health crisis centers.
An additional $20 million in county funding is planned for next year, Arkoosh said, totaling a $60 million increase in county funding.
Last year was the first time county base funds were raised since 2008, she said.
“The last time there was an increase in county base funds was back in the 2008-09 budget,” Arkoosh said. “In 2012, county base funds were actually cut by 10 percent.”
“In every county in this commonwealth, there are individuals with unmet behavioral health needs, whether that’s substance use disorders, mental health disorders, mental health disorders or challenges, and we want to make sure every Pennsylvanian has the opportunity to gather the resources and the help they need no matter where they live,” she said.
The $10 million investment in statewide call centers is separate from the $20 million for mental health programs. For call centers, Arkoosh said the proposed funding would help bolster staff and widen accessibility.
“One staff person can only answer the phone so many times, and there are only so many minutes in the day,” she said. “By being able to have plans to expand the system, (call centers) can hire more staff and serve a lot more (people).”
Beth Gillan, executive director of the Center for Community Resources, or CCR, said her vision for the organization is to continue expanding its services and 988 call center, hire more staff members and spread awareness about the lifeline.
“Our call volume has increased, so (we’d like) to be able to support that,” Gillan said.
In 2023, CCR answered 108,638 crisis calls and 960 crisis texts and chats. More than 1,300 walk-ins were helped last year at the organization’s East North Street location, where staff members offer assessment, referrals and crisis counseling.
CCR became a provider for 988 in 2022, before which residents called a 10-digit number. The center now offers a text and chat option.
“We will get somebody who’s 75 years old who will text the line, or you have somebody who’s 8,” said Katie Doerr, CCR senior director.
For Candida Walton of Venango County, who works for the state Department of Human Service’s Office of Developmental Programs and is a member of the 988 Advocacy Coalition, the need for a 988 suicide and crisis lifeline that is well-staffed and accessible hits close to home.
Just over 10 years ago, Walton said, her mother died by suicide in Beaver County.
Her call log after her death showed that she had called two friends and a crisis resource center.
The phone call to the center led to an answering service, Walton said. One friend didn’t answer. The second hadn’t spoken to her in over a year and didn’t know where she lived. He called 911, but Walton’s mother was using a burner phone, and her location was difficult to trace.
Had 988 been available for her mother to call, Walton said it could have made a difference.
“Had there been somebody to answer, and she had a quick resource, I believe that would have helped her in that moment,” Walton said.
“I just want folks to know how important it is that these resources are here in their community,” Arkoosh said. “There’s a lot of stigma around asking for help if someone’s feeling depressed or anxious or has thoughts of self-harm, and we want people to know that we have incredible resources here in the commonwealth — again, 24/7 — just by calling 988.”
The subhead for this article was changed at 1:40 p.m., May 31 to reflect that Dr. Val Arkoosh is the secretary for the State Department of Human Services. A previous version of this article incorrectly referred to Dr. Arkoosh in its subhead as Secretary of Health.
If you are in crisis, call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 to speak with a trained listener, or text 63288.
To reach the Veterans Crisis Line, dial 988 and press 1 or visit veterancrisisline.net for crisis chat services and more information.
