This September, in recognition of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, the Project AWARE team at the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit launched Mental Health Literacy in Pennsylvania (MHLPA) — a free, trusted hub designed to connect educators, families, and students with practical mental health resources.
Available at mhlpa.com, the site features ready-to-use guides, conversation starters, classroom-friendly materials, and help-seeking information that encourage early recognition, compassionate response, and safe pathways to care. All materials are easy to navigate, shareable, and created with schools and families in mind.
Why this platform matters
Building on the collaborative foundation of Project AWARE, MHLPA responds directly to the urgent mental health challenges facing schools and communities across Carbon, Lehigh, Luzerne, and Montgomery counties.
Findings from the 2023 Pennsylvania Youth Survey (PAYS) underscore the need:
- 71% of students reported good mental health in the past month
- 68% of students identified family attachment
- 44% of students identified opportunities for prosocial involvement at school
- 37% experienced sadness or depression most days in the past 12 months
- 15% engaged in self-harm behaviors
- 16% seriously considered suicide, and 13% made suicide plans
- 27% stopped participating in usual activities due to mental health concerns
These struggles often begin as early as 6th grade, intensify in 8th grade, and peak in high school, highlighting the importance of early intervention and ongoing support.
MHLPA is built on a four-pronged framework designed to meet the needs of students, parents, and educators:
- Promoting Positive Mental Health – actionable guidance for maintaining and strengthening well-being
- Understanding Mental Disorders and Treatments – clear explanations of conditions, warning signs, and evidence-based options
- Reducing Stigma – stories and resources to foster open, supportive conversations
- Enhancing Help-Seeking Efficacy – tools to make asking for and finding help easier and less intimidating
How schools and communities can use MHLPA today:
- Add mhlpa.com to district and school websites
- Share in family newsletters, student leadership groups, and staff updates
- Highlight during back-to-school nights, professional development sessions, and parent workshops
Have suggestions or resources to feature? Please reach out to Pia Houseal at phouseal@mciu.org, or visit our Project AWARE page for more information.
