Does Pennsylvania Have Good Healthcare? Finding a Therapist Near You and More

Pennsylvania: Mental Health Statistics Fast Facts

According to a Mental Health in America (MHA) study, Pennsylvania ranks 18th for mental health in 2024. (Number 1 having the best mental health and 51 having the worst.) This study quantified seven factors of mental health in Pennsylvania and the other states:

1. Adults with Any Mental Illness (AMI)
2. Adults with Substance Use Disorder in the Past Year
3. Adults with Serious Thoughts of Suicide
4. Youth with at Least One Major Depressive Episode (MDE) in the Past Year
5. Youth with Substance Use Disorder in the Past Year
6. Youth with Serious Thoughts of Suicide
7. Youth (Ages 6-17) Flourishing

This combination of youth and adult mental health and a wide variety of common mental illnesses makes this a useful study. Although there are many other mental health disorders, substance use, suicide, and depression are three factors that measure overall mental health and wellness. 

The breakdown of Pennsylvania mental health statistics is as follows:

• Adults with any mental illness: 23.18% (National average: 23.08%)
• Adults with substance use disorder: 18% (National average: 17.82%)
• Adults with serious thoughts of suicide: 4.74% (National average: 5.04%)
• Youth with at Least One Depressive Episode: 20.5% (National average: 20.17%)
• Youth with Substance Use Disorder in the Past Year: 8.55% (National average: 8.95%)
• Youth with Serious Thoughts of Suicide: 13.46% (National average:13.16%)
• Youth (Ages 6-17) Flourishing: 60.4% (National average: 60.5%)

As you can see by the individual breakdowns, Pennsylvania is rather average for most of these metrics. 

Just because Pennsylvania's mental health is not worse than average doesn’t mean there isn’t room for improvement. Across the states, people have a greater need for mental health services. 

Pennsylvania: Access to Health Care Facts

Measuring a state’s mental health by the prevalence of mental health issues is not the only way to do so, however. Other studies seek to capture a different angle of mental health in America. For example, one study done earlier this year by Forbes analyzed the access to mental health care in states. The idea was that states with a higher prevalence of mental illness would also have less access to life-saving mental health care, like therapy, mental health emergency services, psychiatry, and school mental health programs. 

In this study, Pennsylvania ranked very well. It was ranked 45th, with 1st being the worst access to healthcare and 51 being the best. 

The study found that 24.7% of adults with a mental illness in Pennsylvania did not receive adequate treatment and 54.6% of youth with depression did not receive mental health services at all. 

Although Pennsylvania does rank better than most states in this category, there is always room for improvement. A quarter of adults and half of youth still aren’t receiving mental health care, something is wrong. 

Forbes formulated these rankings using the following metrics: 

• Percentage of adults with a mental illness who do not receive treatment
• Percentage of adults with a mental illness who do not receive adequate treatment
• Percentage of adults who are struggling with mental health and could not see a doctor due to cost
• Percentage of youth with depression who do not receive mental health services
• Percentage of adults with a mental illness who are uninsured
• Percentage of youth with private health insurance that does not cover mental or emotional problems
• Number of mental health treatment centers per 10,000 businesses

This study focused on how easy it was to access quality mental health care when you needed it, something all states can improve on.

How to Find Mental Health Therapy in Pennsylvania

Does Pennsylvania have good healthcare? Comparatively, yes. But there is still a way to go. Many people don’t receive quality mental health care because they don’t know the options out there for them. So, if you’re struggling with your mental health, don’t struggle alone. There are organizations, platforms, and professionals out there who can help you feel better and live brighter. 

Mental health resources in Pennsylvania include:

1. Hospitals and Emergency Care Services: Hospitals and ERs are there for your mental health crisis just as much as they are for a physical crisis. If you are having intense suicidal thoughts, manic episodes, dissociation, self-harm, or any other mental health issue putting you or others in immediate harm, call 911. ERs and hospitals are equipped to help you.  
2. Inpatient Care: “Inpatient care” refers to an intensive mental health treatment in which you stay at a treatment facility for the duration of your treatment. These are common solutions for substance abuse, eating disorders, and severe anxiety or depression. Although not for everyone, inpatient care can be life-saving for those who need it.
3. Text Lines and Hot Lines: If you are feeling alone, a mental health text line can help. Now there are numerous local and national mental health crisis text lines. Text or call these numbers when you’re feeling overly anxious or depressed, have thoughts of self-harm or suicide, or are going through a mental health challenge. You will be connected with a live person who will sit with you and help you through the crisis. It’s important to note that most text lines will alert 911 if you pose an immediate threat to yourself or others. 

Mental health hotlines in Pennsylvania include:

1. Psychiatry and Medication Management: A psychiatrist is a mental health doctor who can prescribe and manage mental health medication. People take medication for mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, Bipolar, eating disorders, trauma, OCD, and more. Pretty much anything can be at least partly treated with medication. It can take a while to find mental health medication that works for you, which is why it is often recommended to be in therapy in addition to taking medication for your mental health. 
2. In-person Therapy: There are two options when it comes to psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy: in-person or online. In-person therapy refers to going to a therapy office and sitting with a licensed mental health professional to talk about your mental health challenges. There are many modalities of therapy including cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, strengths-based therapy, and more. 
3. Online therapy: Online therapy has proven just as effective as in-person therapy and may be more convenient and affordable. Click here to see a full list of the pros and cons of online therapy. Online therapy in Pennsylvania may be right for you if you have a busy schedule, don’t live near any mental health offices, or feel more comfortable talking to a therapist at home. 

In addition to these services, many community resources are available. Check your local city page to see what opportunities are available to you. 

Many people see finances as a barrier to good mental health services, and although therapy can be expensive without insurance, under the Mental Health Parity Act all insurance must cover mental health services to an equal extent that they cover physical health. This means if you pay a copay when you get a check-up at the doctor, you can also see a therapist for a similar copay. (Learn more about how insurance covers therapy here.)

If you’re struggling with your mental health, don’t wait. You deserve to live a bright, happy, fulfilling life. It can start today. Reach out to Lifebulb Counseling and Therapy to be matched with a Pennsylvania therapist near you today. We offer in-person therapy in select cities and online therapy throughout Pennsylvania. Contact our team or browse our list of Pennsylvania therapists near you. 

Does Pennsylvania have good healthcare? Comparatively, yes. But there is still a way to go. Many people don’t receive quality mental health care because they don’t know the options out there for them. So, if you’re struggling with your mental health, don’t struggle alone. There are organizations, platforms, and professionals out there who can help you feel better and live brighter. 

Mental health resources in Pennsylvania include:

1. Hospitals and Emergency Care Services: Hospitals and ERs are there for your mental health crisis just as much as they are for a physical crisis. If you are having intense suicidal thoughts, manic episodes, dissociation, self-harm, or any other mental health issue putting you or others in immediate harm, call 911. ERs and hospitals are equipped to help you.  
2. Inpatient Care: “Inpatient care” refers to an intensive mental health treatment in which you stay at a treatment facility for the duration of your treatment. These are common solutions for substance abuse, eating disorders, and severe anxiety or depression. Although not for everyone, inpatient care can be life-saving for those who need it.
3. Text Lines and Hot Lines: If you are feeling alone, a mental health text line can help. Now there are numerous local and national mental health crisis text lines. Text or call these numbers when you’re feeling overly anxious or depressed, have thoughts of self-harm or suicide, or are going through a mental health challenge. You will be connected with a live person who will sit with you and help you through the crisis. It’s important to note that most text lines will alert 911 if you pose an immediate threat to yourself or others. 

Mental health hotlines in Pennsylvania include:

1. Psychiatry and Medication Management: A psychiatrist is a mental health doctor who can prescribe and manage mental health medication. People take medication for mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, Bipolar, eating disorders, trauma, OCD, and more. Pretty much anything can be at least partly treated with medication. It can take a while to find mental health medication that works for you, which is why it is often recommended to be in therapy in addition to taking medication for your mental health. 
2. In-person Therapy: There are two options when it comes to psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy: in-person or online. In-person therapy refers to going to a therapy office and sitting with a licensed mental health professional to talk about your mental health challenges. There are many modalities of therapy including cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, strengths-based therapy, and more. 
3. Online therapy: Online therapy has proven just as effective as in-person therapy and may be more convenient and affordable. Click here to see a full list of the pros and cons of online therapy. Online therapy in Pennsylvania may be right for you if you have a busy schedule, don’t live near any mental health offices, or feel more comfortable talking to a therapist at home. 

In addition to these services, many community resources are available. Check your local city page to see what opportunities are available to you. 

Many people see finances as a barrier to good mental health services, and although therapy can be expensive without insurance, under the Mental Health Parity Act all insurance must cover mental health services to an equal extent that they cover physical health. This means if you pay a copay when you get a check-up at the doctor, you can also see a therapist for a similar copay. (Learn more about how insurance covers therapy here.)

If you’re struggling with your mental health, don’t wait. You deserve to live a bright, happy, fulfilling life. It can start today. Reach out to Lifebulb Counseling and Therapy to be matched with a Pennsylvania therapist near you today. We offer in-person therapy in select cities and online therapy throughout Pennsylvania. Contact our team or browse our list of Pennsylvania therapists near you. 

Does Pennsylvania have good healthcare? Comparatively, yes. But there is still a way to go. Many people don’t receive quality mental health care because they don’t know the options out there for them. So, if you’re struggling with your mental health, don’t struggle alone. There are organizations, platforms, and professionals out there who can help you feel better and live brighter. 

Mental health resources in Pennsylvania include:

1. Hospitals and Emergency Care Services: Hospitals and ERs are there for your mental health crisis just as much as they are for a physical crisis. If you are having intense suicidal thoughts, manic episodes, dissociation, self-harm, or any other mental health issue putting you or others in immediate harm, call 911. ERs and hospitals are equipped to help you.  
2. Inpatient Care: “Inpatient care” refers to an intensive mental health treatment in which you stay at a treatment facility for the duration of your treatment. These are common solutions for substance abuse, eating disorders, and severe anxiety or depression. Although not for everyone, inpatient care can be life-saving for those who need it.
3. Text Lines and Hot Lines: If you are feeling alone, a mental health text line can help. Now there are numerous local and national mental health crisis text lines. Text or call these numbers when you’re feeling overly anxious or depressed, have thoughts of self-harm or suicide, or are going through a mental health challenge. You will be connected with a live person who will sit with you and help you through the crisis. It’s important to note that most text lines will alert 911 if you pose an immediate threat to yourself or others. 

Mental health hotlines in Pennsylvania include:

1. Psychiatry and Medication Management: A psychiatrist is a mental health doctor who can prescribe and manage mental health medication. People take medication for mental health challenges such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, Bipolar, eating disorders, trauma, OCD, and more. Pretty much anything can be at least partly treated with medication. It can take a while to find mental health medication that works for you, which is why it is often recommended to be in therapy in addition to taking medication for your mental health. 
2. In-person Therapy: There are two options when it comes to psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy: in-person or online. In-person therapy refers to going to a therapy office and sitting with a licensed mental health professional to talk about your mental health challenges. There are many modalities of therapy including cognitive behavioral therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, strengths-based therapy, and more. 
3. Online therapy: Online therapy has proven just as effective as in-person therapy and may be more convenient and affordable. Click here to see a full list of the pros and cons of online therapy. Online therapy in Pennsylvania may be right for you if you have a busy schedule, don’t live near any mental health offices, or feel more comfortable talking to a therapist at home. 

In addition to these services, many community resources are available. Check your local city page to see what opportunities are available to you. 

Many people see finances as a barrier to good mental health services, and although therapy can be expensive without insurance, under the Mental Health Parity Act all insurance must cover mental health services to an equal extent that they cover physical health. This means if you pay a copay when you get a check-up at the doctor, you can also see a therapist for a similar copay. (Learn more about how insurance covers therapy here.)

If you’re struggling with your mental health, don’t wait. You deserve to live a bright, happy, fulfilling life. It can start today. Reach out to Lifebulb Counseling and Therapy to be matched with a Pennsylvania therapist near you today. We offer in-person therapy in select cities and online therapy throughout Pennsylvania. Contact our team or browse our list of Pennsylvania therapists near you. 

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