Connecting, Supporting and Empowering Maryland Families

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Volume 11 Issue 2

October 2021

This month we share:

Children's Mental Health is a National Emergency

Award Expands UMD Monitoring of Drug Use Trends Among Emergency Room Patients

Digital Tools for Teens With Depression

MCF Hosts Crisis Services Focus Groups

Also included: upcoming trainings and events and employment opportunities.

Children's Mental Health is a National Emergency

The American Academy of Pediatrics, together with the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and the Children's Hospital Association have declared a national emergency in children's mental health, citing the serious toll of the COVID-19 pandemic. They are urging policymakers to take action swifly to address the crisis.

Due to the physical isolation, ongoing uncertainty, fear and grief brought on by the pandemic, researchers found that between March and October 2020, emergency department visits for mental health emergencies rose by 24% for children ages 5-11 years and 31% for children ages 12-17 years. In addition, emergency department visits for suspected suicide attempts increased nearly 51% among girls ages 12-17 years in early 2021 compared to the same period in 2119.

Read More Online

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Award Expands UMD Monitoring of Drug Use Trends Among Emergency Room Patients

A University of Maryland-run system that tracks the rise of new drug use trends and pinpoints hotspots for overdoses is growing in reach.

The Center for Substance Abuse Research (CESAR) was awarded a $275,000 competitive grant from the Office of National Drug Control Policy to expand its Emergency Department Drug Surveillance (EDDS) system by adding 20 hospitals nationwide this fiscal year, almost triple the current 12 hospitals. CESAR will also pilot the new Drug Investigation Service, which will use EDDS information to investigate up to three drug outbreaks during that period.

Read More Online

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Digital Tools for Teens With Depression

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Understanding your teen's sleep habits, mood and activity is important when making decisions about your child's mental health treatment. Both parents and youth may have trouble remembering at what time the teen went to bed, how many times they woke up, or if they had a good night's sleep. Digital health technologies can help teens and parents overcome these challenges.

Digital health technologies include smartphones and sensors. Smartphone apps can help teens keep track of medication and understand better how they are feeling on a given day. With sensors, such as an activity tracker, it is possible to measure number of steps, intensity of physical activity, and duration of sleep. Altogether apps and sensors can help parents and teens understand if treatment is working and provide information that clinical providers can use to make treatment decisions. Digital health technologies have the potential to empower teens and parents as well as improve care decision-making.

The University of Maryland Baltimore School of Pharmacy is looking for participants for a study of youth age 12-17 who have a mood disorder, are currently taking antidepressants, and have a smartphone and access to the internet. The study uses a unique smartphone app called MindPWR.

Read More Online

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Get Connected With Our Online Support Groups

MCF now offers many online support groups

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to provide a safe space for you to learn, share and receive compassionate help. All are facilitated by trained Family Peer Support Specialists who have dealt with similar challenges in their own families. Current groups are available for:

Parents and caregivers of children with behavioral health challenges

Young adults ages 18-26 with behavioral health challenges

Anyone who cares for a person with a substance use issue (alcohol or drugs)

Parents who have lost a child to overdose

Anyone who cares for a person struggling with problem gambling

Groups are free for all participants and are held on different days of the week and different times of day. Find one or more that can work for you and join us soon!

Find a Support Group

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Also online:

Baltimore's New 911 Call Diversion Program is Reducing Police Response to Calls of Behavioral Crisis, Officials Say

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School Bullying Has Decreased During the COVID-19 Pandemic, but Schools Should Prepare for Its Return

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Why Your Teen Should Replace Screen Time With Green Time

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Upcoming Trainings & Events:

All About Bullying

Join other parents and caregivers of children with mental and behavioral health challenges to learn about the signs and effects of bullying. Participants will get tips on how to handle bullying, including legal rights and procedures surrounding bullying. For more info, contact Afiya Smith at 443-472-1016 or [email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

When: Thursday, November 11

Time: 6:00 to 7:30 PM

Where: Online via Zoom

Register at:

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For a complete list of upcoming workshops and events, please visit our events page.

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MCF Employment Opportunities

MCF is growing, and we have employment opportunities that might be perfect for you or someone you know! We currently have job openings for:

Statewide/Central Office:

Chief Program Officer

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Program Manager, Mental Health

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Program Manager, Substance Use​​

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Director of Human Resources

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Click here for a complete list of employment opportunities

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Maryland Coalition of Families (MCF) helps families who care for someone with behavioral health needs. Using personal experience as parents, caregivers, youth and other loved ones, we connect, support and empower Maryland’s families. Our staff provide one-to-one support to parents and caregivers of young people with mental health issues and to any loved one who cares for someone with a substance use or gambling issue.



10632 Little Patuxent Pkwy Suite 234 | Columbia, MD 21044

Toll Free: (888) 607-3637 | Fax: (410) 730-8331

www.mdcoalition.org

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Maryland Coalition of Families

10632 Little Patuxent Parkway

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