2024 Legislative Briefing and Reception

For more than 100 years, the Mental Health Association of Maryland has worked to address the mental health and substance use needs of Marylanders of all ages, particularly those disadvantaged and marginalized. We are committed to ensuring every Marylander’s fundamental right to quality behavioral health care.

Each year, our Legislative Briefing and Reception brings together hundreds of legislators, behavioral health professionals, business and nonprofit leaders, advocates, and concerned citizens to learn about the most important public policy issues impacting Marylanders’ mental health and the actions needed to make the biggest impact. This year, our focus is on Maryland’s children. Over the past decade, Maryland has seen a marked decline in the availability of mental health and substance use services for youth and an outpouring of need. The results have been devastating. Many statistics support this grim view, but the 46% increase in suicide attempt visits to hospital emergency departments among Maryland’s youth speaks volumes about what is at stake.

We hope you’ll join us, alongside hundreds of legislators, behavioral health professionals, business and nonprofit leaders, advocates, and concerned citizens rallying together for equitable access to behavioral health services for Maryland’s children, in Annapolis on February 12th.