Investing in the mental health wellness of children in Maryland will be a priority for Sen. Mary Washington (D-Baltimore City) during the next legislative session. As Senate chair of the Joint Committee on Children, Youth, and Families, Washington says she will work to recommend policies and budget initiatives that prioritize the well-being of youth in Maryland. At our 2022 Maryland State of Reform Health Policy Conference, Washington said mental health supports are vital for children whose schooling was interrupted by the pandemic.
“We really have to focus very strongly on [the pandemic’s] impacts on young children, children transitioning back to school, the social and behavioral health of young people, and just recognize that there’s a whole cohort of children that have been shaped by this global pandemic. [The pandemic’s] impacts on their families and economy—we need to make sure that our systems are supported and are capable of handling those.”