The American Rescue Plan allocated $105 million to Westmoreland County. Commissioners Gina Cerilli Thrasher and Sean Kertes, please join with Commissioner Doug Chew and realize the acute need for better mental health care in the county and make funding mental health care a priority.

In 1990, I moved to Westmoreland County from West Virginia to serve as an administrator at one of the area colleges. Although small colleges have counseling services for students, there were times when a student needed to be referred to mental health services in the community. It was difficult back then to arrange appointments unless it was a crisis situation and the student went to the ER.

With covid, the mental health needs have seriously increased, and the county resources are not prepared to address the need.

I have several suggestions that deserve consideration:

• Re-establish the Pathways de-escalation/stabilization unit that was previously in place at Excela.

• Model a 24/7 crisis center after the Allegheny County Resolve crisis center. This model would reduce the need for mobile crisis calls and in-patient psychiatric admissions by getting patients the help they need, when they need it.

• Enhance access to “tele-health care” for behavioral health needs.

• Create an easily navigated website detailing mental health and substance abuse services with links to all of the services in the county.

Commissioners, you do not have an easy job, and I am appreciative of all that you do. I hope that you give serious consideration to the suggestions listed above.

Charmaine Strong

Greensburg

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