Strong Minds, Bright Futures advocates for improving mental health systems

(WHTM) — A newly formed coalition wants to make Pennsylvania’s mental health system better and ultimately save lives.

Strong Minds, Bright Futures is made up of 65 members who already provide services. They say five key reforms are needed to improve future outcomes for teens in Pennsylvania:

• Early identification and preventive support
• Expanding access to services
• Building a strong workforce
• Reducing wait times
• Creating a sustainable system

“We have an opportunity today to say ‘Let’s make sure we address these issues,’ because we know when mental health goes untreated and kids are having these challenges, that is only going to get worse, which means it’s only going to get more expensive,” said Marcus Allen, the CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence.

Allen says making improvements to the mental health system now will save money in the future. He says public advocacy is needed for mental health reforms at the state level.