Pennsylvania First Lady Frances Wolf on Thursday held a virtual conversation about mental health, trauma, and equity during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Conversation panelists included Kristen Houser, Deputy Secretary of Pennsylvania Department of Human Services' Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services; Porcha Johnson, CEO and Founder of Black Girl Health and Executive Director of Black Girl Health Foundation; Dan Jurman, Executive Director of Governor Wolf's Office of Advocacy and Reform; and, David Saunders, Director of the Pennsylvania Department of Health's Office of Health Equity.
The event was held on Facebook and the whole conversation can be see on the One Lens page.
"Challenges in mental health, trauma, and equity existed long before COVID-19 struck Pennsylvania, but the pandemic has made these issues more obvious," said First Lady Wolf. "Isolation, job loss, and death continue to characterize this time, and coupled with systemic racism and discrimination, the amount of trauma people are experiencing is unbelievable. This is a conversation that has been had time and time again, but we must keep bringing these issues to the forefront until there's real change."
The conversation revolved around shining light on how mental health, trauma, and equality have been amplified during the pandemic.
There are multiple resources available for all Pennsylvanians in need of counseling or support, especially during this time of mental health crisis.
The suicide prevention hotline is 1-800-273-8255 or text PA to 741471 to be connected to the crisis text line.
