On August 5, 2026, Governor Josh Shapiro met with the Commonwealth’s Behavioral Health Council and Advisory Committee to unveil a new statewide action plan for behavioral health. The Governor created the Council when he signed Executive Order 2023-20, which directed the Council to develop a plan for state leaders, local governments, and community providers to deliver improved, faster and higher quality behavioral health care services for all Pennsylvanians. 

The plan was developed with 33 leaders from the Governor’s Office, the  Pennsylvania departments of Human Services, Health, Aging, Drug and Alcohol Programs, Education, Military and Veterans Affairs, Corrections, State, Labor & Industry, and Agriculture; the Pennsylvania Insurance Department, Pennsylvania State Police, Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, Pennsylvania Attorney General’s office, legislators from both parties in the General Assembly, local county leaders, and Pennsylvanians with lived experience — in coordination with an advisory committee of 25 subject matter experts and community members.

The Council examined the current state of Pennsylvania’s behavioral health care system, finding points for improvement, and offering 41 recommendations to improve access to care and strengthen support for Pennsylvanians seeking mental health and addiction care services.

Read the Behavioral Health Council’s full statewide action plan here