LANCASTER, PA – It has been a week since the United States Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. At the Touchstone Foundation, we stand in support of comprehensive health care access for all, which includes mental health care for youth and young people in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
The United States Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade will have an adverse impact on reproductive healthcare, women’s rights, and further exacerbate inequities in health care access for people of color, young women and girls, and poor people. We stand in support with our colleagues in health philanthropy and healthcare across the United States who have issued statements of concern for reproductive health care access. We resolve our commitment to mental health care access for anyone with a reproductive system, youth, and families here in Lancaster County.
This decision carries grave consequences for adolescent mental health care, by restricting access to health care treatment options, including abortion. Women, girls, trans men, intersex, two spirit people, nonbinary and especially those in poor, rural areas, already lack access to health and mental health care resources. We urge our local elected officials to support and encourage expanding comprehensive access to health care and mental health care for all Lancaster County residents.
Board Chair Connell O’Brien responded, “At Touchstone Foundation, our current role is as a social-emotional support for birthing people and their families. We are here to support our community members through these challenging times by connecting them with mental health resources and providing spaces for them to grieve and process their emotions.”
As partners for Lancaster County our mission is to elevate youth mental wellness. We continue to provide our Mental Health Copay Assistance program for people ages 0-25 and their families. There is no cost to apply, and and those who qualify pay only $10 per session for their mental health care.
Learn more here: https://touchstonefound.org/copay/
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Touchstone Foundation is a nonprofit organization that has focused on elevating the mental well-being of youth and children in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania for over 20 years. Visit our website for more information touchstonefound.org
