Mental Health and the Dependency Court
Mental Health experts report that more than 1 in 5 adults and 1 in 6 youth (ages 6-17) in the United States live with mental illness. The prevalence of mental health issues in children and parents in dependency court is not known. It is suggested that 40%- 80% of children in dependency court are experiencing mental health challenges. According to a report issued by the National Alliance on Mental Illness in 2021, 57.1% of Pennsylvania youth aged 12-17 who had depression did not receive any care for their mental health issue. Clearly, Mental Health is an issue facing children and families both nationally and here in Pennsylvania.
Following statewide discussions at the Fall of 2022 and Spring of 2023 Leadership Roundtable (LRT) meetings, counties expressed concerns regarding mental health, including a shortage of mental health professionals, services and placement options. These concerns were taken to the 2023 State Roundtable, and a Mental Health Workgroup was commissioned to examine the impact of mental health on PA’s dependency system.
To ensure fully examine and understand the mental health system and issues facing children and families, members were carefully selected. This sentence doesn’t make sense Members include judges, child welfare administrators, and legal representatives. In addition, membership includes the Department of Human Services’ Office of Children, Youth and Families Deputy Secretary, the Bureau of Children’s Behavioral Health Services Director, Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services staff, several mental health experts, and the Office of Children and Families in the Courts staff.
Click here to see a list of current Mental Health Workgroup members.
Click here to see the Mental Health Workgroup’s 2024 report to the Pennsylvania State Roundtable.