Sen. Lynda Schlegel Culver (R-27) and Sen. Dave Argall (R-29) led a public roundtable discussion at the Geisinger Behavioral Health Center Danville to address issues in delivering mental health services throughout Pennsylvania. The event included state and local leaders, mental health providers, and community organizations who shared perspectives on challenges such as service gaps, workforce shortages, and strategies to improve access to care.
“Mental health is a priority for our communities, and hearing directly from those on the front lines helps us make better policy decisions,” said Culver. “Today’s discussion highlighted both the challenges we face and the innovative efforts happening in the 27th District and across the commonwealth to support patients and families.”
Argall added, “In the past few years, in part due to the work of this committee, our state government has invested hundreds of millions in new funding for mental health services. Today’s testimony made it abundantly clear that we must all work together to further address the incredibly complex problems facing our mental health providers.”
The roundtable took place on the opening day of Geisinger Behavioral Health Center Danville, a 96-bed inpatient facility serving adults, pediatric, and adolescent patients with acute behavioral health disorders. This center is Geisinger’s second behavioral health facility opened in partnership with Acadia Health since 2023.
Dawn Zieger, vice president of behavioral health at Geisinger, noted increasing demand: “Our community’s mental health and substance use treatment needs have reached unprecedented levels, with 600 to 900 patients a week requesting mental health services within Geisinger alone. By combining inpatient facilities with expanded virtual care, we’ve grown from 26 providers to 141 in the last two years, cutting wait times from six weeks to just two weeks for many patients.” Zieger emphasized that expanding virtual care options and adding inpatient beds are helping close access gaps for rural residents and children but called for policy changes to reduce administrative burdens on providers.
Other participants described ongoing difficulties facing counties and providers as they try to meet growing community needs. One participant explained that he helped create an Office of Behavioral Health within Pennsylvania Courts to improve court responses for individuals with behavioral health issues.
Gordon said: “Emergency departments are overwhelmed, county jails are acting as de‑facto mental health facilities, and schools are stretched beyond capacity.”
Herman stated: “Keeping services within our region is key to successful recovery for those seeking mental health services.”
Alexander commented: “We’ve seen a rising number of people in crisis who also need mental and behavioral health services. Access remains limited, and that lack of support is a significant barrier to getting people stabilized.”
Kranzel added: “Our facilities have no resources to properly care for these inmates, and it is not fair to the families.”
Nye said: “The violent behavior of mentally ill inmates puts corrections officers at risk every day.”
The senators indicated that feedback collected during this event will guide future legislative discussions aimed at improving Pennsylvania’s mental health system.
A video recording of the roundtable session along with a full list of participants and written testimonies can be accessed through the committee’s website.
