Pennsylvanians are encouraged to focus on their mental health as leaders from multiple agencies marked May as Trauma and Mental Health Awareness Month. Pennsylvania is focused on expanding access to trauma-informed and healing-centered approaches so we can better respond to the needs of Commonwealth residents who have had adverse childhood or other serious, traumatic experiences to prevent and heal trauma.
Prolonged exposure to adversity, stress, and trauma – particularly in early childhood – can cause lasting harm and contribute to some of the most pressing social and health challenges.
“To truly protect and empower our children, we need to address the overwhelming trauma they and the adults who interact with them have experienced. Collaborative transformation is needed at every level of society – in policy, systems, communities, families, and individuals,” said Dr. Maryann McEvoy, EdD, Child Advocate for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. “We hope that May 2024 is another step forward in cross-sector and cross-state collaboration to heal our Commonwealth.”
HEAL PA, the Commonwealth’s statewide trauma coalition works as a multisectoral and multidisciplinary vehicle for trauma prevention and intervention in Pennsylvania. Together with partners from DHS’ Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS), the PA Behavioral Health Council, and PDE’s Office of Safe Schools, a series of events were organized and made available to the public at no cost. Activities included guided Yoga on the steps of the Capitol building by Y6 Yoga of Collegeville and Exton PA and an art exhibit entitled I’m Fine, initiated by co-curators Carrie Breschi and Maureen Joyce, that displayed images of ceramic masks made by residents throughout the Commonwealth to represent how we often minimize our mental health struggles.
“This initiative aims to reduce the burden of mental health and substance use disorders on communities across Pennsylvania, resulting in better overall well-being for its residents. Ultimately, our behavioral health system of care will help our families, friends, and neighbors get help when they are in need,” said Dr. Christina Finello, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Behavioral Health Council.
“Our mental and physical health are equally important. If we do not address behavioral health challenges, we cannot show up for our families, our friends, and most importantly, ourselves,” said OMHSAS Deputy Secretary Jennifer Smith.
