September marks Suicide Prevention Month across the country. In Pennsylvania, a Vibrant Emotional Health (Vibrant) Public Policy & Government Affairs (PPGA) staffer attended an event highlighting the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (988 Lifeline), a crucial resource that provides immediate support to individuals in crisis, and Governor Shapiro’s Administration-wide efforts to prevent suicide throughout the Commonwealth. 

At the event, led by Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh, several top executive branch officials, and Prevent Suicide PA leadership, speakers offered resources and support for individuals impacted by suicide, including the 988 Lifeline. They shared their own impactful stories about how suicide has affected their personal lives, highlighting the staggering statistics that show suicide does not discriminate and impacts populations spanning geographical, racial, socioeconomic, and cultural differences. 

Secretary Arkoosh shared great details about 988 Lifeline in Pennsylvania, including her positive experience visiting several of the Commonwealth’s twelve 988 Lifeline crisis centers and seeing first-hand how the call process works. When someone calls 988 Lifeline, the call is immediately routed to a center located in Pennsylvania, where trained professionals are ready to provide support. Additionally, the Department of Human Services highlighted 988 Lifeline state-level data provided by Vibrant, reporting over 10,500 calls were routed from PA callers and received by PA call centers in August 2024. 

Significant investments were made in mental health programs as part of Pennsylvania’s FY 2023-2024 budget. $20 million was invested in county mental health programs, $5 million for crisis stabilization walk-in centers, focusing on geographic areas that may not have a 988 Lifeline center, and a $100 million investment in mental health funding available for K-12 schools.

Pennsylvania’s Adjunct General and head of the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, Major General Mark Schindler, highlighted the specific work the Commonwealth is doing to prevent suicide among service members, veterans, and their families. He reminded that veterans or someone supporting a veteran can reach the Veterans Crisis Line by dialing 988 and pressing 1. 

ADDITIONAL IMAGES:

• Secretary for the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Dr. Val Arkoosh
• Adjunct General for the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, Major General Mark Schindler, with Governor Shapiro’s Cabinet members 

Click for VIDEO:

Relevant Timestamps:

• 0:00–1:00: Secretary Arkoosh’s introduction
• 3:00–3:20: Secretary Arkoosh speaks about seeking help
• 3:20–6:20: Secretary Arkoosh explicitly talking about 988, visiting call centers in PA, the process during a 988 call, staffing needs, specific PA 988 call data from August, and Governor Josh Shapiro’s state budget mental health inclusions
• 15:26–18:15: Major General Schindler discusses service members and veterans’ mental health needs and calls out 988 press 1