By Justin James McShane, F-AIC, F-AAFS:
I am proud to announce the release of the 2024 Comprehensive Mental Health Report for Dauphin County, a monumental review aimed at examining the mental health services within our community. This extensive 136-page report is the culmination of a four-month project that has brought together a diverse group of stakeholders including Dauphin County government officials, external mental health service providers, and service users.
The process involved 32 meetings that facilitated meaningful discussions and collaborations across various sectors. These meetings were crucial in identifying the strengths and weaknesses of our current mental health system, as well as in brainstorming actionable recommendations for improvement. The dedication of all involved has been remarkable, underscoring a collective commitment to enhancing mental health services in our county.
On 3 April 2024, the Dauphin County Board of Commissioners was presented with this detailed report during their public session. This presentation marks a significant step forward in our journey to address mental health issues more effectively in our community. The report not only provides a comprehensive review of our current system but also includes 14 targeted recommendations designed to foster significant improvements.
Here is the statement that I delivered to the Board of Commissioners:
Statement of Justin James McShane to the Board of Commissioners April 3, 2024
Here is a disclaimer and the report itself
It’s important to note that this report was brought to fruition through the tireless efforts of individuals who, following their official duties within county government, continued to dedicate their time and expertise. Notably, all writing and drafting of the report took place after 22 March, following my transition from government service. This phase of the project was completed over a span of 10 days, through long hours of committed work. Impressively, this entire endeavor, from the meticulous drafting of the report to its printing and distribution, was carried out without the use of taxpayer funds. It was my free-will offering to the county, emphasizing my unwavering dedication to the well-being of our community.
Watch Justin James McShane, Esquire, F-AIC, F-AAFS address the Board of Commissioners and listen to the Commissioner’s comments:
Here is my statement:
Gentlemen of the Dauphin County Board of Commissioners, good day.
I sit before you today not just as a concerned citizen, but as someone who has delved deeply into the complexities and challenges of our mental health system.
I originally came back to government lured by the prospect that I could conduct a wholescale review of the mental health system to include recommendations. I was asked to do that. That was my only reason I came back as that review was needed.
During my tenure as an Assistant Solicitor for Dauphin County, I was privileged to gain a unique perspective on the state of mental health services within our community. I visited with 32 people to gain a deep understanding of our county mental health system. I finished this gathering of perspectives while I was an Assistant Solicitor. I did not set pen to paper. As Chief Solicitor, I did not have the time to set pen to paper either.
My wish to complete the wholescale review did not come to full fruition until after I left government service. I had spent so much time getting to the roots of what we as a county did well and discovering our opportunities for growth that I could not simply let it go. To let it all go without a final report would be a sin. I had interviewed so many people, who all cared deeply on this issue, that again I could not simply walk away.
Over the last 10 days at a pace of a full-time occupation, I have dedicated myself exclusively to composing this comprehensive mental health system report for Dauphin County that sits before you. This endeavor was undertaken independently, without any cost to the county or its taxpayers. It represents not only my observations but also the collective insights of professionals, patients, and families engaged with our mental health system.
This report is unvarnished.
It does not shy away from hard truths. It does not gloss over the shortcomings we face. Instead, it seeks to highlight them, not out of criticism but out of a fervent desire for improvement. I present this report to you not as an indictment but as an invitation. An invitation to understand, to engage, and to act.
I am well aware of the cynicism that often greets such endeavors.
There’s a voice in my head that whispers you and others may never read it. That I and the 32 people that worked on this project wasted our time. But today, I issue a respectful challenge to all to prove that voice wrong.
Because within these pages lies not just a critique but a roadmap to transformation.
Our mental health system is at a crossroads. The challenges are significant, but they are not insurmountable.
This report offers practical, real-world recommendations. It goes beyond mere identification of problems to propose solutions that have the potential to make a tangible, positive impact on the lives of Dauphin County residents. These recommendations are born from a deep-seated belief that we can do better. That we must do better. They are informed by the best practices, innovative approaches, and the hard-won wisdom of those who live with, work in, and navigate our current mental health system every day.
I urge you, as our elected representatives, to give this report the attention it deserves. To see it as a valuable resource in your ongoing efforts to serve the people of Dauphin County. It is a call to action, to not merely admire the problems we face but to embrace the solutions that can lead us to a brighter, healthier future.
In closing, I ask for your commitment. Not just to read this report, but to engage with its contents actively. To question, to challenge, and ultimately, to act. Together, we can forge a mental health system that truly serves the needs of all its constituents, one that we can be proud of.
I am available to come to any workshop meeting and present in a concise fashion the recommendations. I will do so without any cost to the county. It is a free will offering. Please do not let known, identified and easily solvable problems persist.
Thank you for your time, and I look forward to your response.
The 2024 Comprehensive Mental Health Report for Dauphin County is more than just a document; it is a roadmap for change. It represents hope, commitment, and a shared vision for a future where mental health services are accessible, effective, and responsive to the needs of our community members. As we move forward, it is hoped that the county will become dedicated to implementing these recommendations, with the ultimate goal of ensuring that all residents of Dauphin County have the support and resources they need to thrive.
I invite all members of our community to engage with the findings and recommendations outlined in the report. Together, we can build a stronger, healthier, and more supportive Dauphin County. Let us embrace this opportunity to make a lasting difference in the lives of those we serve.
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