A mother's fight to save her son shows the tragic consequences of Pa.'s failure to build a better mental health system • Spotlight PA

The Cost of Failing

About our The Cost of Failing coverage

One family’s story reveals the human cost of hospital closures, funding cuts, and the resulting failures in Pennsylvania’s mental health care system.

A photo of a notebook, paper, a cross, and sobriety chips.

A mother's fight to save her son shows the tragic consequences of Pa.'s failure to build a better mental health system

by Danielle Ohl of Spotlight PA

A Spotlight PA investigation found Pennsylvania politicians and local officials broke promises to replace institutionalized care with community options — despite knowing the devastating consequences.

A photo of a notebook, paper, a cross, and sobriety chips.

Tell Spotlight PA your experiences with Pennsylvania’s mental health system

by Danielle Ohl of Spotlight PA

Scranton Counseling Center

Mental health care workers face too many needs and not enough money on the front line of Pa.'s self-made crisis

by Danielle Ohl of Spotlight PA

The exterior of Clarks Summit State Hospital, one of six state psychiatric hospitals in Pennsylvania.

Funding cuts, lawsuits, and fear derailed Pennsylvania's plan to close state hospitals and invest in community mental health care

by Danielle Ohl of Spotlight PA

Torrance State Hospital is one of only two hospitals in Pennsylvania that provide "competency restoration," treatment for people who have been deemed incompetent to stand trial.

System for determining if someone is mentally fit for trial in Pa. is in crisis, new report finds

by Danielle Ohl of Spotlight PA

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