Every May, Mental Health Awareness Month reminds us that mental health is just as essential as physical health. With millions of people facing mental health challenges, raising awareness is only the first step. At Capital Area Intermediate Unit, we are proud to stand alongside the national movement to bring mental health to the forefront. Throughout the month, we are dedicated to increasing awareness, sharing valuable information, and advocating for meaningful change to support individuals and families affected by mental health conditions.

This month gives our Intermediate Unit a meaningful platform to highlight a variety of resources that promote mental wellness in our schools and communities. Whether through workshops, educational materials, support systems, or policy initiatives, our goal is to inform and empower students, families, and staff. We’re committed to building a culture that not only acknowledges mental health but makes it a priority.

Now more than ever, it's time to move beyond awareness and into action. Let’s work together to create a more compassionate, informed, and supportive environment—one step at a time.

Educators can support mental health by creating safe, supportive classrooms, integrating mental health education into daily activities, sharing resources with families, modeling healthy behaviors, and hosting awareness events like themed days during Mental Health Month.

Families can promote mental wellness by talking openly about mental health, encouraging emotional check-ins, learning to recognize signs of mental health challenges, supporting healthy daily routines, and engaging in community or school-based awareness activities.

Students can support mental health by being kind to peers, speaking up through personal stories or creative outlets, joining or starting mental health initiatives, using social media to share resources and reduce stigma, and practicing self-care while encouraging friends to do the same.

Families and teachers can support preschoolers' mental health by encouraging emotional expression with age-appropriate language, using books and games to recognize emotions, validating feelings with empathy, establishing consistent routines for security, offering positive reinforcement, and modeling healthy coping skills like deep breathing.

What Are Behavioral Health/Mental Health Services?
There are community-based services that are designed to support children who have mental, emotional, and/or behavioral health needs. These services may be provided through agencies connected to your child’s behavioral/mental health insurance. There are a variety of services that could be options for your child, including Individual Services, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Group Services, and Evidence-Based Treatment (EBT). Services are provided by trained professionals with the goal of increasing positive behavioral outcomes and meeting a child’s needs in their homes, schools, and/or communities. These and other services can be explored with your child’s behavioral and/or mental health insurance.

How Do I Find Out If My Child Qualifies For Behavioral Health/Mental Health Services?
Some behavioral/mental health services can be prescribed by licensed physician/psychologist, CRNP, or other licensed professional whose scope of practice includes the diagnosis and treatment of behavioral health disorders – this includes Physician Assistant, LCSW, LPC, and LMFT. The prescriber for certain behavioral health services must be an MA-enrolled Provider (ORP). Most services require an intake to be scheduled to determine need and some require an evaluation or assessment to determine eligibility and recommended service, or to schedule a best practice evaluation. Written orders are one option but best practice evaluations are also an option. 

A mental health crisis is any situation in which a person’s actions, feelings, and behaviors can lead to them hurting themselves or others, and/or put them at risk of being unable to care for themselves or function in the community in a healthy manner. There are various situations that can lead to a mental health crisis, including stress at home, like conflicts with loved ones; exposure to trauma; or violence. Stress at school or work and other environmental stressors can also contribute to a mental health crisis.

If you suspect that you or someone you know is having a mental health crisis, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (also known as the 988 Lifeline) provides support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, across the United States.

You may also call the crisis line for your county. If there is immediate danger of physical harm, you should call 911.

Cumberland County

• Penn State Holy Spirit Medical Center Crisis Intervention
  717.763.2222 or 1.800.722.5385
• UPMC Pinnacle Carlisle Crisis Intervention
  717.243.6005
• All Other Areas
  1.866.350.4357
• Contact Helpline Carlisle
  717.249.6226 or 1.800.932.4616

Dauphin County

• Connections Health Solutions
  Serving ages 14 and older who are experiencing a mental health crisis and/or substance use concern.
  1100 S. Cameron Street, Harrisburg, PA
• Dauphin County Crisis Intervention Program
  100 Chestnut Street, Harrisburg, PA
  717.232.7511 or 1.888.596.4447
• Contact Helpline Harrisburg
  717.652.4400 or 1.800.932.4616

Franklin County

• Keystone Health Crisis Intervention Program
  717.264.2555
• Contact Helpline
  1.800.932.4616

Perry County

• Penn State Holy Spirit Medical Center Crisis Intervention
  717.763.2222 or 1.800.722.5385
• UPMC Pinnacle Carlisle Crisis Intervention
  717.243.6005
• All Other Areas
  1.866.350.4357
• Contact Helpline Carlisle
  717.249.6226 or 1.800.932.4616

York County

In York and Adams Counties, Crisis Services are provided by:

• TrueNorth Wellness Services
  717.632.4900
• WellSpan York Hospital
  717.851.5320

The Out of the Darkness Community Walk is a journey of remembrance, hope, and support. It unites our communities and provides an opportunity to acknowledge the ways in which suicide and mental health conditions have affected our lives and the lives of those we love and care about.  Find an Out of the Darkness Walk near you!

The CAIU began participating in this event in 2018. What began as a simple act of kindness evolved into an annual tradition and eventually a meaningful service project! Our CAIU Staff, Family, & Friends walk team continues to expand!

Pennsylvania’s Education for Children and Youth Experiencing Homelessness (ECYEH) Awareness Week recognizes and brings awareness to the importance of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act and the education needed to provide stability and consistency to children and youth experiencing homelessness across Pennsylvania.

Schools and programs across Pennsylvania will be hosting schoolwide activities for children and youth experiencing homelessness and their families. We encourage educators, community members, and leaders to join in, gaining a deeper understanding of the vital impact you make and the ongoing resources needed to support these students.

Join us to raise awareness and show support!

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Finding Your Way in PA is a Pennsylvania-based mobile and desktop app designed to share services, resources, and information with young people and families, particularly those experiencing homelessness. While using the app, users can search for and request assistance with services and resources in their current location, local communities, and throughout PA to connect them with helpful supports. 

Learn More

This program was established to make sure homeless youth have access to a free and appropriate public education while removing barriers that homeless children face. The goal is to have a student's education continue with as little interruption as possible while he or she is homeless.

A child is considered homeless if he or she is living with or without a parent:

• In a homeless or domestic violence shelter

• In a public or private place not designated as a regular sleeping accommodation, such as a vehicle, park, hotel, or campground

• With relatives or friends due to lack of housing

• Outside of his or her home as a runaway or because he/she has been forced out of the home

• In a house for unwed mothers and has no other living accommodations

• In any of the situations listed above as a child of a migrant family

Learn More