20-05-2025
Mental health crisis continues to grow, responders call for more resources
ALTOONA, Pa. (WTAJ) — Last May alone the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline exceeded a half million calls and texts. Monthly call volumes in every state have also increased over the past year.
UPMC Altoona's mobile crisis unit responded to some of those calls locally but they said their resources may not be enough to address the growing mental health crisis in our communities.
Rates of mental illness, substance use disorder and suicide attempts are all on the rise, nationwide and in Central Pennsylvania. Despite a growing need for mental health services, there's a rapid declining in the number of resources available to help, putting a strain on those that are left.
'A lot of agencies are overbooked. You know, they're filled so it's hard to get into places so that is definitely a struggle,' said Trisha Ruggiero, Program Manager at UPMC Western Behavioral Altoona Crisis Services.
Ruggiero said Blair County is in substantial need of more agencies to help people before they ever find themselves in crisis. She said that many people in the area are on medical assistance and that many therapists will not take their insurance, creating additional need for therapists who will see patients with limited resources.
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The decline in the number of treatment options means many people are being forced to suffer longer before getting help.
'Because the system is so strained, we definitely are seeing a lot more people engaging in the crisis system. We're kind of a stopgap,' said Michael Edelstein, Manager of Clinical Services at UPMC. 'So where people might have been, we had opportunities to engage with outpatient treatment or, you know, different residential programs, things like that, you know, we're seeing them at our doorsteps are getting those calls.'
Edelstein said we're seeing the greatest lack of resources available for children and older Americans. But he also said there's a huge need for providers able to address substance use as drugs are a major contributor to growing mental health challenges.
'It was always a concern to run into someone with a substance challenge in our field. Now it's not uncommon for some of our teams to really be reviving people using that naloxone because the substance challenges are so pervasive,' Edelstein said.
Rising rates of homelessness make both mental health concerns and substance abuse issues more difficult to address long–term, which is why Altoona Crisis Services has adapted to bring help to the patient through their 24/7 mobile team. Ruggiero said they are able to go out into the community and talk with someone in crisis where they are rather than bring them to the hospital, which can be intimidating or upsetting for some.
The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is always available to call if you're in need of help. But Ruggiero said calling 911 is also an option as Altoona Crisis Services partners with EMS services and will respond to calls placed to 911 as well. Altoona Crisis can be reached directly by calling 814-889-2141.
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