Alumna, Psychology Major Lobby for Better Access to Mental Health Care
Seton Hill alumna Krista Boyer, Psy.D., and psychology major Gina Veltri were among those who participated in a press conference at the Pennsylvania Capitol Building in October for greater access to care for mental health services in the Commonwealth.
The press conference in Harrisburg highlighted the current mental health crisis in Pennsylvania, which has been compounded by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the struggle for many to get proper care.
Boyer ’03, MBA ’07, owner and psychologist at Authentic Perspectives Psychological and Counseling Services in Greensburg, spoke on the stairs of the Capitol to support legislation that would allow qualified psychologists to prescribe medications for mental health issues in order to help alleviate the access crisis.
At the conference, she urged “our legislators, healthcare providers, and community leaders to prioritize mental health care access. Together, we can build a healthier, more resilient Pennsylvania where no one suffers needlessly from treatable mental health conditions.”
Veltri, who has served as an intern with Dr. Boyer since the Spring 2024 semester, said she was grateful to participate in the event.
“It was amazing that there were so many people there supporting this issue that would allow psychologists to prescribe medications as it would really expand mental health care,” Veltri said. “It was wonderful to help advocate for this legislation.”
The press conference in Harrisburg highlighted the current mental health crisis in Pennsylvania, which has been compounded by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the struggle for many to get proper care.
Boyer ’03, MBA ’07, owner and psychologist at Authentic Perspectives Psychological and Counseling Services in Greensburg, spoke on the stairs of the Capitol to support legislation that would allow qualified psychologists to prescribe medications for mental health issues in order to help alleviate the access crisis.
At the conference, she urged “our legislators, healthcare providers, and community leaders to prioritize mental health care access. Together, we can build a healthier, more resilient Pennsylvania where no one suffers needlessly from treatable mental health conditions.”
Veltri, who has served as an intern with Dr. Boyer since the Spring 2024 semester, said she was grateful to participate in the event.
“It was amazing that there were so many people there supporting this issue that would allow psychologists to prescribe medications as it would really expand mental health care,” Veltri said. “It was wonderful to help advocate for this legislation.”