Launching the
PA Teen Mental Health Coalition

Supporting Community Based Organizations serving Pennsylvania's teens

Published January 6, 2025

In Pennsylvania, teen mental health is a growing concern amid a backdrop of societal pressures, academic stress, and the challenges of adolescence. According to recent studies, the prevalence of mental health issues among teenagers in the United States is significant with depressive symptoms and suicidal thoughts increasing.

These trends have been observed in Pennsylvania as well. The 2023 Pennsylvania Youth Survey indicates that 37.3% of 6th to 12th graders in the Commonwealth felt sad or depressed most days in the past 12 months, and 16.1% seriously considered suicide. The reported cases of suicidal ideation and self-harm among teenagers underscore the urgency of addressing mental health issues in this demographic. At a time when teenagers are in dire need of connection and care, 27.9% indicate that they have no one to talk to when sad, lonely or worried.

For organizations dedicated to supporting teens’ mental health, their work is essential to the well-being of our communities. In light of increasing challenges and limited funding for these critical services, we invite youth-serving organizations to join a new coalition advocating for sustainable, statewide investment in teen mental health.

This coalition aims to bring together community-based organizations (CBOs) and partners across Pennsylvania to advocate for policies and funding to support CBOs in providing teen mental health prevention and early intervention services.

Together, we can make a stronger case for systemic support that benefits our teens, families, and communities.

To achieve the initial goal of advancing policies to support CBOs in providing teen mental health prevention and early intervention services, coalition members will have an opportunity to participate in an Teen Mental Health CBO advocacy day at the Capitol on Monday, March 24, inform policy briefs and recommendations, educate legislators about the importance CBOs’ teen mental health prevention and early intervention services as the PA legislators finalize the upcoming state budget for July 2025 to June 2026, and shape future directions of this statewide coalition.

Thank you for your dedication to teen mental health. We look forward to the possibility of working together toward a healthier, more resilient Pennsylvania.

If your organization would like to join the Teen Mental Health Coalition, please complete the form below.