Gov. Josh Shapiro and Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Secretary Val Arkoosh visited the Lehigh County Crisis Intervention Center with counselors and elected officials to highlight historic investments in mental health services secured in the 2026-27 state budget.

Building on three years of investment in student and community mental health, the budget delivers $10 million in first-ever dedicated state funding for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, in addition to $5 million for walk-in behavioral health crisis stabilization centers, prioritizing regions with limited access to immediate, in-person care.

“I’ve listened to Pennsylvanians tell me how important it is to have someone to talk to when they’re struggling, no matter what time of day or where you live,” Shapiro said. “In my administration, we’re treating mental health with just as much care as physical health. This year, we secured more funding for 988 and walk-in behavioral health crisis centers to help fill critical gaps in funding and build on the progress we’ve made.”

The investment in 988 will allow the Department of Human Services to double the number of centers that can respond to chat and text messages from three to six, provide administrative support to counties so 911 operators can perform warm handoffs for callers in crisis, maintain 24/7 coverage across Pennsylvania and support increasing demand.

“The Shapiro administration has intentionally built a robust mental and behavioral health system continuum that works to provide rapid support and treatment for anyone in a mental health or substance-use crisis,” Arkoosh said.

The Lehigh County Crisis Intervention Center is one of 14 individual 988 call centers across Pennsylvania and provides 24/7 support through crisis counseling, walk-in services and mobile outreach.

Lehigh County Executive Josh Siegel said county governments are on the front lines of providing relief to people experiencing crisis and hardship and praised the state’s investments in mental health services.

In 2025, Lehigh County worked on more than 6,400 crisis cases, and its 988 lifeline received about 3,500 calls.

Craig Taylor, a 988 crisis counselor, said 99% of calls are resolved without dispatching police or first responders and without requiring a hospital visit.

The $10 million investment allows counties such as Lehigh County to continue providing round-the-clock service through 988 and ensure those experiencing a crisis can receive support any time of day.

Sen. Nick Miller, D-14th, said the budget makes a historic investment in mental health through dedicated funding for 988.

State Rep. Mike Schlossberg, D-132nd, said 988 is a proven method for improving mental health, reducing suicide and saving lives.

State Rep. Peter Schweyer, D-134th, said the lifeline provides a critical service for people experiencing mental or behavioral health crises.

Since taking office, the Shapiro administration has worked to strengthen Pennsylvania’s crisis response system. Key actions include:

• Establishing a Behavioral Health Council in October 2024.

• Securing a total $40 million increase for county mental health programs in the FY 2023-24 and FY 2024-25 budgets.

• Helping nearly 800 schools expand mental health services, including hiring more than 200 mental health counselors.

The 2026-27 budget also doubles funding for rape crisis centers to $24.17 million and continues providing $100 million annually for mental health and school safety initiatives in Pennsylvania’s K-12 schools.

During the visit in Allentown, Shapiro ceremonially signed the General Appropriations Bill.