A Lehigh Valley licensed professional counselor urged Pennsylvania lawmakers to improve access to youth mental health services, saying long waitlists, provider shortages and insurance barriers often prevent young people from receiving help when they need it most.

Beth Peters shared her perspective during a statewide virtual town hall on youth mental health hosted by the Strong Minds, Bright Futures partnership, a coalition advocating for reforms to Pennsylvania’s child mental health system. The discussion brought together students, parents, mental health professionals and lawmakers from across the commonwealth to discuss challenges facing young people and highlight potential solutions.

Numerous state lawmakers and legislative staff members participated in the event, including Rep. Peter Schweyer, D-Lehigh, who represents Pennsylvania’s 134th District.

Peters spoke from both a professional and parental perspective during the forum, which focused heavily on early intervention, school-based supports and improving access to care.

She cited data from the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley showing that approximately 43% of area youth report feeling depressed most days.

“Time is of the essence,” Peters said. “When a young person asks for help, the answer should not be a long wait list or a confusing system. The answer should be support that is ready, trusted and close enough to reach.”

Peters said schools throughout Lehigh and Northampton counties continue to grapple with increasing rates of anxiety, trauma and suicide risk among students. At the same time, families often encounter significant barriers when attempting to secure treatment.

One challenge, she said, is that many mental health providers struggle with insurance reimbursement rates and administrative requirements, particularly when serving Medicaid patients. Those challenges contribute to provider shortages and wait lists that can stretch for months.

According to Peters, delays can discourage families who have already taken the important step of seeking help.

Much of the discussion centered on the role schools can play in identifying mental health concerns before they become crises.

Peters noted that teachers, counselors, coaches and other trusted adults are often among the first to notice when a student is struggling. Because schools interact with students every day, they can provide an important entry point for support services and referrals.

Several Lehigh Valley districts have developed school-based programs designed to connect students with mental health resources.

East Penn School District employs 21 school counselors, seven school psychologists and Student Assistance Program teams that work with students experiencing academic, behavioral or emotional challenges.

Parkland School District offers counseling and psychological services throughout the district and operates a Student Assistance Program at Parkland High School. Services include mentoring opportunities, peer-support groups, mental health assessments and referrals to community-based providers when additional support is needed.

Salisbury Township School District also maintains counseling services and employs a school social worker who assists students and families in accessing community resources, coordinates support services and helps address social and emotional issues that may affect academic success.

Community organizations also play a role. Kathleen Brand of the Center for Humanistic Change Inc. works with students and provides information and resources to parents, helping connect families with services and prevention programs before challenges become crises.

Peters said those types of programs can be critical in identifying concerns early, but access remains uneven from district to district.

Students participating in the forum echoed many of those concerns.

Aixa Grave of Pike County said schools are often where signs of stress, anxiety, bullying and family challenges first become visible.

Eli Kalberer of Union County focused on prevention, arguing that better access to counseling, mental health education and early intervention services could help many young people before problems escalate into emergencies.

The conversation later shifted to issues affecting students’ day-to-day lives, including social media and cellphone restrictions in schools.

Sydney Adamsky of Indiana County said a classroom cellphone ban at her school initially frustrated students but ultimately helped improve focus and classroom engagement.

“I do think it’s a positive thing,” Adamsky said, adding that students should still have access to phones during lunch periods and between classes.

The issue has also received increased attention in the Lehigh Valley. Salisbury Township School District implemented a classroom cellphone policy requiring students to store cellphones, earbuds and smartwatches in lockers, classroom pouches or designated storage areas during instructional time. Students are not permitted to carry phones during class or take them into restrooms.

East Penn School District similarly requires students at Emmaus High School to keep cellphones, earbuds and smartwatches turned off and stored during instructional periods, although students may use devices during lunch and certain noninstructional periods.

Parkland School District also regulates cellphone use through student handbook and conduct-code provisions governing personal electronic devices, though publicly available policies do not establish a districtwide all-day cellphone ban.

While students acknowledged that phone restrictions can improve attention in classrooms, several cautioned against treating cellphones and social media as the sole cause of youth mental health challenges.

Kalberer described social media as a “double-edged sword,” pointing to concerns such as cyberbullying, anxiety and unhealthy comparisons while also acknowledging that online platforms can help students find support networks and communities.

Students also discussed dress code policies after lawmakers asked for their thoughts on restrictions involving items such as pajama pants and other casual clothing.

Adamsky said comfortable clothing can be especially important for students dealing with anxiety or other mental health challenges.

Emily Kadosh of Allegheny County said social media presents both opportunities and risks for young people.

Throughout the forum, students repeatedly returned to a common message: Support should be available before a young person reaches a crisis point.

The event concluded with calls for additional investment in prevention programs, stronger partnerships between schools and communities, a larger behavioral health workforce and more youth involvement in public policy discussions.

Marcus Allen, cochair of Strong Minds, Bright Futures and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence, closed the town hall by emphasizing the importance of including young people in conversations about solutions.

“Youth do not want to be treated only as the subject of the conversation,” Allen said. “They deserve to be part of shaping the solution.”