Annual Report
Check out a look back on 10 years of TeenHope as well as the 23-24 screening data!
10 Years of TeenHope & 2023-2024 Screening Report
2023-2024 TeenHope Screening Report
Our Process
TeenHope is a mental health program that screens for signs and symptoms of anxiety, depression, and suicide risk in Lancaster County middle and high school students. The program’s goal is to educate students and promote mental and emotional well-being while identifying at-risk youth who are flying below the radar before a crisis situation occurs.
But there is hope! If a student is identified as at-risk, TeenHope collaborates with the school, parents, and teenagers to connect them with the right mental health resources and organizations in the area. Many studies have shown the effectiveness of early intervention in mental health and the role it plays in recovery.
The TeenHope program partners with local school districts and is primarily donor-funded. With the help of our community, more kids in Lancaster County schools who are at risk for concerning mental health signs and symptoms continue to be identified and receive the help they need.
Teen Mental Health Facts
According to the 2021 Pennsylvania Youth Survey, 38.5% of teens in Lancaster County say they’ve felt depressed or sad most days over the past year.
Even more heartbreaking is that 17.8% of teenagers considered suicide and 10.1% attempted suicide. That means about 1,100 teenagers that were surveyed in Lancaster County have attempted suicide.
Through TeenHope, we’ve encountered similar numbers. Our mental health screenings since 2013 have identified that about 26% of all students were depressed, anxious, or at-risk for suicide.
But there is hope!
Many studies have shown the effectiveness of early intervention in mental health and the role it plays in recovery. The National Alliance on Mental Illness states that individuals who went through programs were more responsive to treatment and more likely to achieve social, educational, and career success.
Need help now?
If you’re uncomfortable talking about depression, anxiety or thoughts of suicide with family or friends, call 1-800-273-TALK to speak in confidence with someone who can understand and help you deal with your feelings. Or you can use the crisis call or text line 988.
You can also set up an appointment with a professional counselor. The local organizations we recommend are:
- Samaritan Counseling Center: 717-560-9969
- TEAMCare Behavioral Health: 717-391-0172
- WellSpan Philhaven: 717-273-8871, ask for central scheduling
Testimonials & Stories
“TeenHope has been very helpful for us as counselors and administrators as we relate with students. The screenings have allowed us to have more open dialogue about mental health and we have valued the TeenHope program which has made such a positive impact on our entire school community.”
Kirk Benner, Director of School Counseling at Lancaster Mennonite School
While meeting with our staff, a student reported that she had a plan to end her life. This student was reluctant to verbally share what her plan was, however, she felt comfortable enough to be honest, which ultimately led to our staff connecting her with guidance at her school, reaching out to her parents, and helping to get her into therapy immediately. She had never confided in anyone with what she was dealing with, and because of the TeenHope screening, she found the courage to be honest and share that she was struggling, no longer having to manage these thoughts on her own.
TeenHope staff
A student scheduled her first counseling appointment as a result of her TeenHope screening. Her mother was very concerned that the screening revealed her daughter was cutting, feeling depressed, and was having thoughts of suicide. Her grades had been slipping and she was struggling to find a positive peer group at school. She attended counseling sessions over the course of two years and learned to reduce feelings of anxiety and depression while also learning to identify healthy relationships and address blended family issues. As a result, her grades not only improved, but she enrolled in honor-level courses and began excelling in art classes. At the end of counseling, she was able to identify and apply strategies of resiliency.
TeenHope staff
Contact Us
If you are a decision-maker within a school or other student-focused program and would like to learn more about what TeenHope could look like, please fill out the form below and we will be in touch.
