Mental Health News

Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman has left Walter Reed National Military Medical Center after six weeks of inpatient treatment for clinical depression, with plans to return to the Senate in mid-April.

The students of Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts in Bethlehem are planning a mental health awareness social media campaign.

A six-month investigation found the state’s “competency” review system is so broken it often extends incarceration, which can exacerbate mental health issues.

Born without legs and a victim of child abuse, Zion Clark is a motivational speaker and athlete who shared his story through a Netflix documentary. He will be in Allentown to speak to the public.

The number of people experiencing mental health issues went up as a result of the pandemic. Lehigh Valley psychotherapist Shonda Moralis talks about what she is seeing and hearing from her patients.

Advocates and service providers fear a proposed $20 million funding increase for community mental health services would not go far enough.

The Lehigh Valley will host a marathon for the first time since the pandemic started. Registration will open this month for the St. Luke’s D&L RaceFest.

Today, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced $52.5 million in grants intended to prevent suicide. Named for Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox, the suicide prevention grant program is now in its second year. Its goal is to fund community-based organizations that work with veterans and their families. Last year, the VA gave awards to three groups in Pennsylvania, including more than $530,000 to St. Luke’s Penn Foundation in Carbon County. Eighty recipients won awards nationwide in the program’s first year. Grant applications are due by May 19 with awards expected to be announced in September. Selected organizations will receive funding for 2024. More information on how to apply is available at mentalhealth.va.gov.

Many school nurses say the pandemic made them feel burned out, stressed out, and exhausted. Now, some are working to catch up on work that didn't get done during that time.

Bethlehem Freedom High School's new Wellness Center is an area where students dealing with any type of emotional issue can go to either decompress alone and/or speak to one of four on-site therapists.

The Community Connections Partnership joins social workers from the city's Health Bureau with police officers to connect people who need help with social services. The police chief says the program has been successful, but the idea is not universally popular.

A new resource for children with autism and their families opened in Bethlehem Township. The clinic offers evaluations that can lead to a diagnosis and treatment programs.

Construction company Moyer Construction LLC is proposing a sober house at 3599 Broadway in South Whitehall Township, next to Cetronia Elementary School.

According to new data from the Lehigh Valley Justice Institute, higher than ever numbers of suicide attempts and mental health issues among middle and high school students now exist. The group says data showed one in nine Pennsylvania teenagers attempted suicide in 2021, and two in five were depressed.

More than 100 teens gathered to learn and to share tips on how to deal with tough times.

St. Luke's University Health Network released the findings of its triennial community health needs assessment. Police, public health officials, and school representative were all in attendance.

80 boxes were packed and handed out to kids across the Wilson Area School District.

Maybe you woke up this morning wondering, "What is escovitch fish?" (Maybe you didn't?) We answer that and more in this daily list of useful information chosen to inform and enhance your day.

October 10 is designated as World Mental Health Day. Established in 1992 to reduce the stigma towards individuals with mental health conditions, this year's theme is “Make Mental Health & Well-Being for All a Global Priority.”

A Red Cross volunteer from Danielsville is heading to Florida to help after Hurricane Ian. She will assist people with mental health needs, helping them to "process the immediate aftermath" following the category 4 storm.

Lehigh County residents can call the warmline for mental health needs.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force is now recommending that all adults under age 65 get routine anxiety screenings. We explain what that means for you and why some doctors say this is a good change.