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Mental Health Literacy in Pennsylvania

Mental health plays a vital role in the well-being and success of every learner, family, and educator. MHLPA is your trusted resource for understanding and addressing mental health challenges in schools and communities across the Commonwealth.

Whether you’re an educator looking to support students in the classroom, a parent or caregiver seeking guidance, or a student navigating your own mental health journey or helping a friend, this site offers tools, information, and support designed to empower you. Please note: All resources on this page are intended for youth ages 12 and older.

Together, we can build more informed, compassionate, and resilient communities.

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Welcome to Mental Health Literacy PA

A Project AWARE PA Initiative

MHLPA is your centralized hub for mental health resources, information, and support—tailored specifically for parents/caregivers, educators, and students aged 12 and older in Carbon, Lehigh, Luzerne and Montgomery counties.

This website provides easily accessible mental health resources for educators, students, and families. It also provides knowledge needed to support positive mental health, as well as recognize, understand, and respond to mental health challenges.

Our Mission

We are dedicated to increasing mental health literacy, reducing stigma, and improving outcomes for all students and families in our region. By empowering our community with knowledge and support, we can build a healthier, more resilient future—together.

What this site offers

Readily available tools and resources that help educators, students, and families advance mental health literacy’s four pillars:

  1. Promoting Positive Mental Health
    Actionable guidance to help youth and adults maintain and strengthen their mental well-being.
  2. Understanding Mental Disorders and Treatments
    Clear explanations of common conditions, warning signs, and evidence-based treatment options.
  3. Reducing Stigma
    Real stories, facts, and resources to break down barriers and foster open conversations.
  4. Enhancing Help-Seeking Efficacy
    Step-by-step guidance and local connections to make getting help easier and less intimidating.

Why This Platform Matters

Pennsylvania State Data- Recent findings from the 2023 Pennsylvania Youth Survey (PAYS) highlight the scale of mental health challenges as well as protective factors that influence positive mental health outcomes across 6th, 8th, 10th, and 12th grades.

Data to Highlight:

Needs

  • 37% experienced sadness or depression most days in the past 12 months
  • 27% stopped participating in usual activities due to mental health concerns
  • 15% engaged in self-harm behaviors
  • 16% seriously considered suicide, and 13% made suicide plans

Strengths

  • 71% reported good mental health in the past month
  • 67.8% of students reported strong family attachment.
  • 64.1% reported opportunities for prosocial involvement
  • 54.7% reported receiving rewards for prosocial involvement.
  • 44.3% reported opportunities for prosocial involvement.
  • 52.3% reported receiving rewards for prosocial behavior.

MHLPA strives to provide evidence-informed tools and strategies that respond to the current mental health needs of our communities while building on existing strengths within families and schools.

If you have suggestions for the website or want additional information, please use the form below and we will respond as soon as possible: