BEDFORD COUNTY, Pa (WJAC) — Judges and county officials across the Commonwealth are looking for solutions to improve behavioral and mental health services.
In Bedford County on Tuesday, notable state officials gathered to discuss ways of making improvements to the behavioral health system in Pennsylvania.
They suggested things like getting ahead of the issues with children at an early age, and ways to assure behavioral health remains consistent outside of the prison system.
Judges and behavioral health specialists from across the Commonwealth participated in an open forum to discuss ways to improve the behavioral health of those within county correctional facilities, as well as ways to improve crisis programs.
It was just one of many behavioral summits that are being held across the state this year, hosted by Justice Kevin M. Dougherty, as a way to focus on the growing mental and behavioral health crisis that he says is sweeping Pennsylvania.
“What we’re seeing is an increase in serious mental health issues across the region, specifically as it touches the criminal justice system, families, family court, and correctional facilities.”
President Judge of Bedford County, Travis Livengood, says that in the county specifically, a vast majority of juveniles in the justice system suffer from mental health issues, either from parents or themselves.
He says that he presented those statistics to the Bedford County commissioners at their most recent meeting.
“The numbers of what we’re seeing are not unlike what we’ve seen in the past. And at the end of the day, these are kids who have committed serious crimes, or it would be serious crimes, right? And kids that need a place to try to get health to rehabilitate them because that’s what we are legally, and that’s what we are obligated to do and morally obligated to do, as a justice system and a community.”
Officials also discussed ways to improve competency restoration and post-incarceration mental healthcare for inmates with serious mental health issues, as well as ways to improve transparency and questions that county officials may have with the Torrance State Hospital.
Pennsylvania Chief Justice Debra Todd told those in attendance that the state’s judiciary is focused on these issues.
“Counties across Pennsylvania are actively engaged in offering programs and support to individuals and families in need of services that can only be provided through specialized treatment court programs. But even with these successes, we know there is more work to do.”
Officials say this is just the beginning and that they will continue to gather opinions and suggestions from neighboring counties to assure that they are staying on top of things.