In an effort to further improve the implementation of Certified Community Behavioral Health Centers (CCBHCs), the Institute for Innovation and Implementation at the University of Maryland held a meeting Wednesday on improving CCBHC quality and reporting measures. CCBHCs provide comprehensive behavioral care by providing case management, crisis response, peer support, and other services. Maryland currently … Read more
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 … Read more
UnitedHealthcare, a UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH) company, is awarding $500,000 in Empowering Health grants to four community-based organizations in Maryland to expand access to care and address the social determinants of health for uninsured individuals and underserved communities. In total, UnitedHealthcare is donating $11 million in grants through its Empowering Health program across 11 states. The grants … Read more
Adrienne Breidenstine, MSW, is the Vice President of Policy and Communications at the Behavioral Health System of Baltimore (BHSB), a nonprofit organization that manages Baltimore City’s care system for individuals with substance use and mental health disorders. In this Q&A, Breidenstine discusses the recent launch of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline on July 16th, … Read more
The Mental Health Association of Maryland (MHAMD), one of the state’s top advocates for behavioral health policy reform, continues to support new developments at the federal and state level. More health leaders are acknowledging the key link between maternal mental and physical health. According to MHAMD, 15-20% of women develop postpartum depression after … Read more
Maryland is taking steps to improve the integration of behavioral health services in the primary care space, particularly for children and adolescents. With initiatives such as educating providers, strengthening regional partnerships, and advocating for more cohesive financing, experts are working to address what they identify as a “surge in crisis around kids’ and adolescents’ mental … Read more
Maryland leads the Mid-Atlantic region for best health care during the COVID pandemic, according to a new analysis from the Commonwealth Fund. Maryland ranked 7th best nationwide, and also led the Mid-Atlantic in avoiding hospital use and costs, and racial/ethnic equity. The report measured state success from February 2020 to March 2022 in … Read more
In a developing partnership, TidalHealth Peninsula Regional, Atlantic General Hospital (AGH), and several community partners are expanding behavioral health services on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. This partnership, called the Tri-County Behavioral Health Engagement (TRIBE), is set to open its primary crisis center at TidalHealth later this year. The center will ultimately operate as a 23-hour crisis … Read more
Goodwin House Inc. (GHI), a senior living and health care services organization in the National Capital Region, and the Maryland Department of Aging (MDoA) announced last week the launch of StrongerMemory in senior centers across Maryland in a statewide partnership. StrongerMemory, an innovative brain health program for older adults, is initially launching in Baltimore, Charles, Calvert, Cecil, Wicomico, St. Mary’s and Worcester counties. “We are very excited to provide … Read more
The last two years of the COVID pandemic has taken a toll on Maryland, particularly in the field of behavioral health. Data from the Community Behavioral Health Association of Maryland (CBH) reports emergency department visits for behavioral health increased by 12% over the last few years, while all other visits decreased by 11%. … Read more