May is Mental Health Awareness month, a month long campaign/event that was started by Mental Health America (MHA) 75 years ago.
May 14, 2026 is Green Out Day for mental health awareness– we encourage everyone to wear green on this day to help spread awareness!
If you’re looking for mental health support for your child, it can be hard to know where to start—especially when you’re trying to find options close to home.
Across Bloomsburg, Danville, Lewisburg, Selinsgrove, Sunbury, and the surrounding areas, there are more resources available than most families realize—from local therapists and school-based support to community programs and regional agencies that serve multiple counties.
In this guide, we’ve pulled everything together in one place, including upcoming mental health-related events, a simple checklist for parents, and local resources by town—so you can quickly find the kind of support that fits your child and your family.
The National Council for Mental Wellbeing is a great resource to answer lots of questions surrounding youth and mental health, such as key facts surrounding mental health, as well as how to support mental health awareness and protect access to care.
Whats in this Guide?
As our own contribution to our community, we have compiled a huge list of local and national mental health resources for parents, caregivers, educators, and more to help children and teens with various kinds of mental health struggles.
What is Mental Health?
How Do I Help My Child(ren) Cope?
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, supportive families, communities, and resources can help youth build strong foundations for lifelong well-being.
- By teaching children and teens coping skills, we can empower them to take charge of their mental health.
- Know the signs of mental health issues in children and teens. Early diagnosis and treatment can save lives; below are some articles to help parents learn more:
A Parent’s Guide to Teen Health (Children’s Hospital Colorado)
A Parent’s Guide to Teen Depression (Helpguide.org)
Spotting Teenage Depression (Geisinger Medical Publication) - Start the conversation early: talking about mental health can help children and teens build coping skills and feel comfortable with their emotions.
- Nurturing relationships and environments are important for helping children and teens develop good mental health and manage life stressors in healthy ways.
- Good mental health increases the ability of children and teens to practice self-care and face challenges with resilience.
Mind Over Matter: Youth Mental Health Matters
In northeastern and central Pennsylvania, the pressing concern of youth mental health comes to the forefront as “Mind Over Matter,” a regional initiative, endeavors to illuminate the challenges faced by the younger generation. Through compelling narratives and informative discussions, the show aims to amplify awareness to address the mental health needs of the youth in these regions.
(Aired 02/29/2024 on PBS)
Where Can I Find Mental Health Help for Kids Near Me?
Our Five County & Local Resources
🫂CMSU (Columbia, Montour, Snyder, Union Counties) Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (Danville):
The CMSU– a regional organization that helps connect children, teens, adults, and families to mental health, behavioral health, developmental disability, and drug & alcohol support services across Columbia, Montour, Snyder, and Union Counties. CMSU works with local providers and agencies to help families access the right level of care and support based on their needs.
Services available through CMSU and its provider network may include:
- Mental health assessments and referrals
- Crisis intervention and support
- Outpatient therapy
- Psychiatry and medication management
- Family-based mental health services
- School and community support programs
- Case management and peer support
- Drug & alcohol treatment services
CMSU also operates crisis and support lines for families who need immediate help or guidance navigating available resources. Their goal is to help residents access support early and connect them with services close to home.
–CMSU Crisis Tapline: 1-800-222-9016
🫶Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit (CSIU) (Milton):
A regional education service agency that prides itself on serving the needs of schools, students, families and communities. CSIU‘s many programs and services reflect their mission to provide quality education services that help students learn, support teachers in bringing best practices to the classroom, and offer valuable services to school districts.
CSIU Youth Mental Health Summit
2026 marked the 3rd Annual Youth Mental Health Summit, and Susquehanna Kids was there in action! It was a day centered on connection, reflection, and student empowerment. The summit created space for young people to explore mental health, build resilience, and recognize the important role they play in supporting one another.
Check out our table below!
–CSIU Mental Health & Resiliency: A committee page listing many local mental health resources
–CSIU ELECT Program: free voluntary program that supports pregnant and/or parenting youth, under the age of 22, who are either already enrolled in school, or are looking to go back to school or to complete their GED.
NEST Clinic @ CSIU
The NEST Clinic (Nurturing Environments for Support and Treatment) is a school-integrated outpatient mental health clinic run by the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit in Milton. They have satellite locactions at Central Columbia & Milton School Districts, and are working on establishing them at surrounding school districts.
Susquehanna Kids had the chance to catch up with the NEST Clinic’s founder, Dr. Faulkner, and we are excited about the support the NEST Clinic is bringing to schools, as well as his vision of expansion.
🧠Susquehanna Valley United Way (Sunbury):
List of Mental Health Resources: includes various behavioral, mental, emotional, and drug/alcohol rehabilitative services.
🧠For the Cause Teen Centers (Berwick & Bloomsburg locations):
Both open and welcoming teens. They have open drop-in counseling hours with the local Prevention Specialist for Berwick and Bloomsburg School Districts. They also offer classes and tutoring options.
🫂Commonwealth University Bloomsburg: McDowell Institute:
The McDowell Institute is currently operating more than 40 interrelated initiatives in play to facilitate social, emotional, and behavioral wellness of children, youth, and young adults across school and community settings.
🫶Geisinger Bridge (Part of Pediatric Behavioral Health at Geisinger’s Psychiatry and Behavioral Health Institute):
The Bridge Program provides rapid access to care for pediatric behavioral health patients in an outpatient setting across the Geisinger Behavioral Health system. These acute appointments are offered within several days of referral for immediate therapy or psychiatry services. Patients can be referred for Bridge from their school district with our direct referral system, EMR Link. Please talk to your School Counselor to request this referral. Additionally, referrals can be completed through your child’s Geisinger Primary Care Provider.
Bridge program provides:
- Rapid access to outpatient care for pediatric behavioral health patients
- Direct referral access from school districts to behavioral health
- Casework support for pediatric patients and their families
Contact your school or Geisinger PCP for a referral to Bridge. Families can call the direct scheduling line at (570) 271-6396 any time to request a behavioral health appointment.
🧠Columbia County Family Center (Bloomsburg):
The Family Center is a great local resource offering various family services as well as classes for parents and caregivers.
🫂Selinsgrove Regional Engagement Center (R.E.C.):
The R.E.C. provides a hub of information, opportunities, and resources for all ages to improve lives through connections, activities, and social engagement, including mentoring programs, health and wellness classes, and intermittent QRP training.
🫶Calm Creek Coaching (Catawissa): Emotional wellness coaching, interventions services, and more.
Bloomsburg Area YMCA Community Resource Hub:
The Bloomsburg Area YMCA Community Resource Hub aims to provide support and guidance to ALL Columbia and Montour County residents with their social needs within the comfort and familiarity of the YMCA.
How Can I Find Mental Health Specialists and Providers Near Me?
Extensive Local Provider Listings
All lists generously provided by Jill Bruder, SAP (Student Assistance Program) Liaison at CMSU. Note that some of the information on these lists overlaps, as counties are close to one another and many organizations have multiple locations/offices.
🫶Columbia/Montour County Resources List (Bloomsburg/Danville Area)
🧠Snyder County Resources List (Selinsgrove Area)
🫂Union County Resources List (Lewisburg Area)
🧠Northumberland County Resources List (Sunbury Area)
What mental health crisis resources are available for kids and teens in Pennsylvania?
Resources in Greater Pennsylvania
PA 211 NORTHEAST
Part of the national 2‑1‑1 Call Centers initiative- designed to provide an easy-to-remember telephone number, chat, text, and a web resource for finding health and human services information, for everyday needs and crisis situations.
Learn More– All Resources
Learn More– Mental Health Resources
SAFE2SAY SOMETHING
A state-run program that teaches youth and adults how to recognize warning signs and signals, especially within social media, from individuals who may be a threat to themselves or others and to “say something” BEFORE it is too late.
Learn More
🫂DTAC (Diversified Treatment Alternative Centers): provides specialized treatment programs for children and adolescents throughout Pennsylvania & Delaware, commonly for youth who have commonly experienced physical, emotional and/or sexual abuse and require a safe environment and program that promotes healing.
🧠Neighborly PA: Neighborly helps you find free or reduced-cost services in your community. Search for local resources to access food and housing assistance, childcare, transportation, utility assistance, healthcare, financial assistance, mental health resources and other needs.
🫂Big Brothers, Big Sisters (Northeastern PA): provides high quality mentoring services to children and families in Northeast PA, (through “littles” being matched to “bigs” in a variety of settings and situations) including our 5 counties as well as several surrounding counties.
What about larger, nation-wide resources?
National Resources
SUICIDE AND CRISIS LIFELINE
Call or text 988 or visit here
🫶Your Life, Your Voice: National website providing numerous ways for pre-teens, teens, and young adults to access help, including text, email, call and other options. Also providing mental health tips and tricks, inspirations for healthy living, and more.
🧠QPR Institute: The QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) mission is to reduce suicidal behaviors and save lives by providing innovative, practical and proven suicide prevention training. Classes are periodically offered in our area at places such as the Sunbury YMCA and Selinsgrove R.E.C. You can also search for an instructor by entering your zip code.
🫂The Trevor Project: The Trevor Project’s mission is to end suicide among LGBTQ+ young people. Providing text, call, and counseling services.
Upcoming Local Events
Mindful Miles- 1 Mile Family Fun Walk/Run
May 16
Mental Health Awareness Fair
May 18
JUNE 20-21
Camp Courage @ Camp Levigne (Benton)
An annual event- for children suffering with loss and grief- supported by Geisinger.
Learn More