Mental Health Resources

Here is a non-exhaustive list of local, state and national resources that cater to mental health.
Below are mental health resources divided into various categories with links to resources available locally, statewide and nationally. Don’t see a resource listed? Email info@touchstonefound.org and we will add to the page!

Birthing and Parenthood - Midwives and Doulas

Local

Home - Lancaster Doulas LLC

Having a child is a profound experience. It can be scary and exhilarating all at the same time. Wouldn’t it be great if you have someone with experience to help navigate this new life stage? That is exactly what we do here at Lancaster Doulas. Our experienced doulas can help you from pre-conception all the way through your first year postpartum.

Patients R Waiting

Patients R waiting 3 areas of focus are increasing the pipeline of minority clinicians, making the pipeline of minority clinicians less leaky and supporting minority clinicians in practice.

Penn LGBTQ Reproductive Health Program

As part of the Penn Medicine Program for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBTQ) Health, we are committed to providing the best care for the LGBTQ+ community in a safe and friendly environment. Our compassionate and skilled providers treat an array of gynecologic issues such as gynecological and obstetrical care, gender-affirming hormone therapy, sexual health and family planning.

PA Black Maternal Health Caucus

The PA Black Maternal Health Caucus is building on the momentum of legislative victories and the increasing need for attention to maternal mortality and morbidity issues.

National

Black Maternal Health Resources

We are committed to supporting groups led by women and people from communities where they work, and that place mothers at the center. By partnering with local organizations that serve historically marginalized communities, we help deliver high-impact, low-cost solutions to improve maternal health outcomes.

Queer and Trans- Centered Resources for Families and Birth Workers

BADT is a queer-led organization, and as such, we uplift and center queer and trans people’s stories and experiences in our courses from our Full-Spectrum Doula Training to our Abortion Doula Training to our 4-week Queer and Trans Reproductive Support Training, which we highly recommend. This course offers birth workers and other folks in the Reproductive Justice space a deeper exploration of queer and trans family-building, birthing, and parenting, all taught by queer and trans educators.

Find a Midwife

Considering midwifery for your pregnancy or well-woman care? The American College of Nurse-Midwives offers our easy Find a Midwife service for your convenience. ACNM members are all accredited, graduate-degree trained, advanced practice providers, who uphold the highest professional standards of care.

Find a Doula – DONA International

Families who work with a DONA certified doula know they’ve connected with someone who has completed our in-depth, high-quality training and certification process. DONA International doulas are held to the highest professional standards. We’re happy to help you access our membership of more than 5,000 doulas available to serve you in more than 50 countries worldwide.

Coping Skills & Grounding Techniques

Grounding Techniques (Article) | Therapist Aid

After a trauma, it’s normal to experience flashbacks, anxiety, and other uncomfortable symptoms. Grounding techniques help control these symptoms by turning attention away from thoughts, memories, or worries, and refocusing on the present moment. In this article, you will learn four powerful grounding techniques for managing the symptoms of trauma.

30 Grounding Techniques to Calm Anxious Thoughts

Grounding techniques are an important component of managing anxiety or trauma symptoms. They can reduce immediate distress and help promote calmness and self-regulation. There are many different kinds of grounding exercises, including deep breathing, specific active exercises, cognitive interventions, and mediation scripts. Learning these techniques can help you feel more empowered in managing challenging situations.

7 Best Grounding Tools and Techniques to Manage Anxiety

While grounding is valuable for managing anxiety triggers and lessening symptoms, it is also helpful for regaining control when life appears to be running away from us (Williams & Penman, 2016).

Grounding Techniques: Exercises for Anxiety, PTSD, & More

Grounding is a practice that can help you pull away from flashbacks, unwanted memories, and negative or challenging emotions.

Postpartum Depression & Anxiety

Local

Lancaster General Health, Healthy Beginnings Plus

Healthy Beginnings Plus provides comprehensive prenatal services and postpartum support to pregnant and parenting women. As part of this initiative, we offer a variety of pregnancy support groups, free classes and wellness programs for women in the program. Most activities take place at our Healthy Beginnings Plus office at 531 N. Lime Street in Lancaster.

UPMC, Postpartum Depression Resources

It is normal to experience the “baby blues” during the first days and weeks after giving birth. You may have feelings of disappointment, irritability or anxiety that usually go away without treatment. However, these feelings could also be a sign of postpartum depression, which is much more serious and longer lasting than the baby blues.

Lancaster General Health, Postpartum Depression Info

Postpartum depression is a serious illness that can happen in the first few months after childbirth. It also can happen after miscarriage or stillbirth. It can make you feel very sad, hopeless, and worthless. You may have trouble caring for and bonding with your baby.

National

Postpartum Support International, Perinatal Mental Health Directory, Listings in Lancaster

We can help you find resources and providers that are not yet on the directory, even if your search came up empty. Please contact the PSI Helpline for assistance finding help near you. Call or Text 1-800-944-4773

Racial Justice Equity & Inclusion

Local

YWCA Lancaster

We believe that all people have the right to be heard, and we believe in the value of listening. We also believe that education exposes truth and leads to greater understanding, and ultimately, to action.

Lancaster County Racial Equity Profile

The National Equity Atlas was invited into the Lancaster County community in the summer of 2021 to support a collaborative process of asking questions, finding data, and determining ways to create an impact to improve racial equity.

Lancaster County Community Foundation, Emboldening Antiracism

The Community Foundation believes our community is only strong when every voice is heard. Our community is only safe when every resident can live and dream fearlessly. Our community is only extraordinary when every family, neighbor, and friend is respected.

State

United Way of PA Racial Equity Resources

United Way of Pennsylvania to represent our communities fully. We recognize the historic racial inequality that Black communities continue to face, and we pledge to support and do our part in dismantling such inequalities. We have compiled these antiracist resources for our supporters to learn from, amplify, and educate with.

Coalition for Racial Equity and Social Justice

Our mission is to promote public awareness and community understanding aimed at the elimination of Discrimination, Inequality, Injustice, and Racism, serves as a safe space for individuals to come together and engage in authentic conversations about racial inequality and social injustice, strive to realize stated goals through the creation and implementation of various programs and initiatives in the school system and our communities, and utilize education, training, and civic action as catalysts for achieving transformational sustainable and measurable change in our society.

ACLU Pennsylvania

Founded in 1920, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is the nation’s foremost guardian of liberty. We are a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated and protecting our individual rights and personal freedoms.

National

NAACP

We are the home of grassroots activism for civil rights and social justice. We advocate, agitate, and litigate for the civil rights due to Black America. In our cities, schools, companies, and courtrooms, we are the legacy of W.E.B. Du Bois, Ida B. Wells, Thurgood Marshall and many other giants.

National Council for Mental Wellbeing, Addressing Health Equity and Racial Justice

To help you address racial inequalities and the associated stigmas that lead to persistent behavioral health disparities- and ensure you have the tools to support your patients and providers- we complied this directory of resources and learning opportunities. We will update this webpage as new information, and tools become available.

Showing Up for Racial Justice, Resources

Showing up for Racial Justice (SURJ) is a national organization that brings hundreds of thousands of white people into fights for racial and economic justice.

Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations, Racial Justice Resources

PANO is on a mission to assess and improve our Standards for Excellence through a racial justice lens. Our goal is to remove implicit bias from the current Standards language and identity where inclusion can be embedded in the policies and practices.

Crisis Helplines

Local

Lancaster County Crisis Intervention

This site gives you information regarding this new initiative between law enforcement, the court system, and the community.

City of Lancaster Bureau of Police

List of hotlines in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and National.

PA 211

If you need to connect with resources in your community, but don’t know where to look, PA 211 is a great place to start. From help with a utilities bill, to housing assistance, after-school programs from kids, and more, you can dial 322 or text you zip code to 898-211 to talk with resource specialist for free. Our specialists will listen to your needs and give you information on programs in your community that might be able to help.

NAMI - If In Crisis

List of helplines in Lancaster County and nationwide for veterans, suicide, LGBTQ, Trans and many more.

YWCA Sexual Assault Hotline

The Sexual Assault Hotline is operated by trained staff and volunteers. Caller may utilize the hotline for several reasons, including, but not limited to crisis intervention services, questions about resources and referrals related to sexual violence; inquiries about counseling; and requests to provide medical advocacy at local hospitals.

National

988 Lifeline

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline can help prevent suicide. The 988 Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress prevention and crisis resources for you or loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.

Suicide Prevention

Local

Lancaster County Suicide Prevention Coalition

The Lancaster County Suicide Prevention Coalitions mission is partnering to create a responsive, compassionate community and to eliminate suicide through education, advocacy, and support. Together, we envision a community fee of the stigma associated with suicide and mental illness that is supportive of all those affected by suicide.

Lancaster General Health, Mental & Behavioral Health

Lists of programs and hotlines in Lancaster County and nationwide for anyone in need of help.

MHA Lancaster Support Groups (including for depression and suicide)

List of support groups that are held virtually and in person for depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, panic, OCD, families of suicide loss and many more.

State

Prevent Suicide PA

Prevent Suicide PA strives to raise awareness about suicide and its prevention so that fewer Pennsylvanians experience the pain and grief resulting from the suicide death of a loved one.

Jana Marie Foundation

At Jana Marie Foundation, we envision communities working together to knock down walls and transform emotional distress into resilience and hope. Jane Marie has resources for youth, parents, educators and adults.

Aevidum

The word Aevidum, which means “I’ve got your back,” was created by students after they lost a classmate to suicide. What started in one tiny school in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania has now become a nationwide movement. Aevidum has programs you can be a part of resources to start a club around you and many more resources to help.

National

988 Lifeline

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline can help prevent suicide. The 988 Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.

Suicide Prevention Resource Center, Risk & Protective Factors

Lists of risk factors and protective factors.

Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide

SPTS is dedicated to increasing awareness, saving lives and reducing the stigma of suicide through specialized training programs and mental health resources that empower students, parents, school staff and community members with the skills needed to help build a life resiliency.

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention

This website has knowledge of events happening around the nation to support mental health, resources and ways to make a difference.

Find a Therapist

Local

Find in-network providers for Medicaid patients

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania gives you programs for Medicaid/ Medical Assistance recipients for physical, behavioral and community health.

Lancaster General Health, Integrated Behavioral Health Counseling Services

The Lancaster General Health page gives you the links to meet Penn Medicines Behavioral Health Outpatient Team, find Penn Medicine Behavioral Health Counseling locations and their phone number for assistance.

State

APA Psychologist Locator

APA Psychologist Locator is a website available that gives you a list of providers or practices in your area. Easy way to find a therapist near you and for you. Virtual and in person counseling available on this site.

Psychology Today, Therapists in Lancaster, PA

Psychology Today is a website available that gives you a list of counselors and therapist near you. The website has the ability to give you the ability to filter to the therapist you want. Virtual and in person counseling available.

Find a Therapist

Find a Therapist gives you a list of therapists in Lancaster County. Both in person and virtual counseling available.

Charlie Health

Charlie Health is a virtual intensive therapy with goal to heal together. Charlie Health offers group and individual sessions, multiple times per week, covered by insurance, and flexible scheduling.

SAMHSA Findtreatment.gov

Findtreatment.gov is a website that lets you input your address or zip code and gives you a list of available counselors near you. There is also a list of national resources available on this page.

Find a Therapist: Virtual Therapy

Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence

Local

YWCA Sexual Assault Prevention and Counseling Center

The YWCA Lancaster’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Counseling Center (SAPCC) is Lancaster County’s designated rape crisis center. SA{CC provides support, advocacy, and no-cost counseling for victim survivors of sexual abuse, for significant others, and for other family members. We also provide primary prevention education programs across the county.

Community Action Partnership, Domestic Violence Services

Domestic Violence Services (DVS) is a catalyst to eliminate domestic violence in Lancaster County through direct service, advocacy, and social change. DVS is a member program of the PA Coalition Against Domestic Violence (PCADV), one of the sixty member programs across the state who provide comprehensive services to victims and survivors.

Clare House Lancaster

Clare House is a transitional housing program where mothers and children facing homelessness can receive the safety, support, and respect they deserve while starting their journey toward a more stable, more rewarding life.

PA Coalition to Advance Respect

The mission of the Pennsylvania Coalition to Advance Respect is to work to eliminate all forms of sexual violence and to advocate for the rights and needs of victims of sexual assault.

Food Insecurity

Local

Hunger Free Lancaster, Lancaster/Central PA Resources

Hunger-Free Lancaster County is a neighbor-focused community coalition ensuring sustainable access to healthy and culturally appropriate meals and collaborating to improve the pathways to short and long-term economic stability for all Lancastrians.

Community Action Partnership, Food Distribution Center

The Food Distribution Center acquires and distributes food and fresh produce to local food pantries and feeding programs that serve people who are experiencing food insecurity.

Lancaster County Food Hub

Rooted in Faith & Compassion, we provide services that honor the dignity of all by striving to meet basic human needs.

Autumn’s Food Pantry

Our mission is to help fight hunger and improve lived by offering nutritional, accessible and sustainable food choices to those in need.

Lancaster County Youth Needs Assessment

While we paused our grants cycle in the Fall of 2022, we conducted a Youth Listening Tour with local community partners to begin updating our 2015 Youth and Children’s Behavioral Health Needs Assessment. We wanted to hear directly from youth, parents/caregivers, and families about mental and behavioral health needs, plus solutions and opportunities for future funding, and advocacy and policy changes.

To re-analyze the mental health landscape in Lancaster County we approached this issue by: conducting a listening tour targeted towards youth aged 12-19 who live in the County; and an online survey targeted towards parents of County students. It’s important to recognize that the experiences and perspectives captured in this report are not exhaustive, and additional considerations may emerge as the listening tours and survey continue. 

Upon analyzing data from our quantitative and qualitative studies, Touchstone Foundation has determined new funding recommendations. These recommendations include:  

  • Increasing access to mental health services by reducing wait times and funding transportation resources.  
  • Addressing stigma surrounding mental health through targeted programs and resources for parents and youth.  
  • Providing resources for youth mental health and addressing the impact of social media.  
  • Ensuring the accuracy of health information sources with tools for parents to evaluate online and non-medical providers. 

 

Analysis of quantitative and qualitative data from the Parent Survey and Youth Listening Tour focus group sessions revealed a need for positive, trusted adult role models for youth in Lancaster County.