Breaking the Silence: Mental Health Awareness Month in Pennsylvania

Each May, Mental Health Awareness Month invites us to pause and reflect on the importance of emotional well-being. Across Pennsylvania, rising rates of anxiety, depression, and substance use disorders highlight a growing need for support, awareness, and action. At Endless Mountain Behavioral Health Center, we’re here to help individuals recognize when they’ve lost control, understand their mental health symptoms, and take that vital first step toward recovery.

Mental Health in Pennsylvania: A Growing Concern

Mental health challenges are more common than many people realize. In Pennsylvania:

• As of 2023, 32.8% of adults reported symptoms of anxiety and/or depressive disorder—an increase from previous years and in line with national trends.
• Nearly 1.8 million adults in the state live with a diagnosed mental health condition.
• Youth mental health is also suffering. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, over a third of Pennsylvania students reported frequent negative emotions such as anger, sadness, or worry.

Despite a relatively strong provider-to-resident ratio in Pennsylvania (225 mental health providers per 100,000 people), access to care remains limited in rural areas, including regions like Bradford and Susquehanna counties.

Drug Use and Mental Health: A Dangerous Intersection

Substance use and mental illness often go hand in hand:

• Individuals with depression or anxiety are more likely to turn to substances like alcohol, opioids, or stimulants to cope.
• Unfortunately, this can worsen both conditions—creating a complex cycle to escape without professional intervention.
• In Pennsylvania, overdose deaths increased during the pandemic, with synthetic opioids like fentanyl contributing to many of these tragic losses.

If you or someone you love is struggling with both mental health symptoms and drug use, it’s essential to seek a provider who can treat both simultaneously—what’s known as co-occurring disorder treatment.

When to Know You’ve Lost Control

It can be difficult to admit when mental health symptoms or substance use are beyond your ability to manage alone. Warning signs that it’s time to reach out include:

• Persistent sadness, anxiety, or mood swings that affect daily life
• Difficulty sleeping, eating, or concentrating
• Using drugs or alcohol to numb emotional pain
• Isolating from friends and family
• Thoughts of self-harm or hopelessness

These are not signs of weakness—they’re signals that help is needed.

You Deserve Support—Here’s Where to Start

At Endless Mountain Behavioral Health Center, we understand that asking for help can be overwhelming. That’s why we make it easier with:

• Same-day admissions
• Medical detox services for drug and alcohol withdrawal
• Treatment for co-occurring disorders
• Care covered by PA Medicaid, most commercial insurance plans, and self-pay options with payment plans

We proudly serve Bradford County, Susquehanna County, Sayre, Tioga County, and beyond residents. Whether you’re seeking help for yourself or someone you care about, we’re here to walk this journey with you—every step.

Take the First Step This Mental Health Awareness Month

Mental Health Awareness Month is more than just a campaign—it’s a reminder that you are not alone. Recovery is possible, starting with one brave decision to reach out.

Contact Endless Mountain Behavioral Health Center today to learn more about our programs and take control of your future.