HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) – Midstate county leaders are starting down a nearly $2 million deficit for a mental health service system they say is on the verge of a collapse. As a result, they’re asking Governor Josh Shapiro for an additional $250 million in funding.

“We’ve seen an explosion in the need for services, but we haven’t seen a significant increase in funding,” Berks County Commissioner and CCAP President Michael Rivera said. “We are at a critical crossroads in Pennsylvania when it comes to mental health services, and that should concern every single person living in Commonwealth.”

Over the past year, Perry and Cumberland counties say mental health calls to 911 have increased over 10-percent, the suicide rate has doubled and the waitlist for mental health support has grown — over 80 people are waiting for treatment.

“Some wait in the emergency department, causing frustration and difficulty with transition points, some wait in the homeless shelters, and some end up in jail,” Cumberland and Perry County Mental Health Administrator Annie Strite said.

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Making matters worse, counties say they’re short-staffed.

“We need to make sure that those vacant positions that have been open for a year get filled with good people, with good skill sets who can help others,” Strite said.

Counties say if they don’t obtain more funding, the crisis will only worsen.

“We do not have time for political posturing. We cannot afford to bicker or play games with something as important as the mental health of our population,” Rivera said. “While awareness is a wonderful tool, we must eventually turn that awareness into action.”

ABC27 reached out to Governor Josh Shapiro for comment. His team did not respond.

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