Pennsylvania Mental Health Advocacy Groups Condemn Executive Order that will weaken People’s Rights

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 28, 2025

Contact: media@disabilityrightspa.org

Pennsylvania Mental Health Advocacy Groups Condemn Executive Order that will weaken People’s Rights

Disability Rights Pennsylvania (DRP), NAMI Keystone Pennsylvania, and Pennsylvania Mental Health Consumers’ Association are deeply concerned by the Executive Order authorizing increased involuntary commitment of people experiencing homelessness, including individuals with mental health disabilities. It threatens to undo hard-won progress for Pennsylvanians who are homeless and live with mental-health disabilities and could force the Commonwealth to resurrect costly institutional models that were discarded decades ago due to their abuse and inefficiency. It threatens to withhold federal funding unless states enforce anti-camping and anti-loitering laws, diverting resources away from mobile-crisis, and peer-support programs that keep people safe and housed. This approach is a step in the wrong direction.

“Over the past two decades, policymakers have failed to adequately fund the community-based mental health system. People with serious mental illness need timely access to community-based mental health services, not forced treatment and institutionalization.” said Jennifer Garman, CEO of Disability Rights Pennsylvania.

“The Executive Order targets people with serious mental illness and only secondarily considers treatment. This punitive approach will most likely exacerbate the homeless crisis and create new demands on an already inadequately funded mental health system” said Chris Michaels, Chief Executive Officer of NAMI Keystone Pennsylvania.

Rather than expanding the use of involuntary commitment, we should invest in proven strategies like supportive housing, peer support services and community-based treatment that promote autonomy and recovery.

We have known for decades that institutional care is inefficient and results in an environment ripe with abuse and neglect. Shifting money back to institutions will drain county mental-health budgets that already struggle to pay for mobile crisis teams, peer specialists, and affordable housing.

“Rather than jumping right to the highest level of care that our system is currently unable to maintain, we suggest building community-based solutions such as peer services, peer-run residential services, drop-in centers, recovery community organizations, and other recovery-focused services and supports that can be used effectively to support the existing system. This approach offers less trauma and stigma and can be done at far less expense than re-institutionalizing and criminalizing individuals who need help,” said Dr. Kathy Quick, Executive Director of Pennsylvania Mental Health Consumers’ Association.

As we await final passage of a state budget, we urge state legislators to fully fund county mental-health services in the 2025-2026 budget and reject proposals that expand involuntary commitment without robust due-process safeguards. Our organizations remain committed to defending the rights of people with disabilities to live freely and safely in their communities. We will monitor implementation and oppose any efforts that threaten the civil rights of people with mental illness.

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Disability Rights Pennsylvania (DRP) is the organization designated by the Commonwealth under federal law to protect the rights of and advocate for Pennsylvanians with disabilities. DRP works to ensure that people with disabilities can live the lives they choose, free from abuse, neglect, discrimination, and segregation.

NAMI Keystone Pennsylvania is the state organization for NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness dedicated to individuals and families affected by mental illness. NAMI provides recovery focused support, education and advocacy.

Pennsylvania Mental Health Consumers’ Association (PMHCA) is the statewide representation for individuals with lived experience in behavioral health. We Advocate, Educate, and Promote Recovery from the perspective of individuals with lived system experience across the state and across all demographics.