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Behavioral Health News, Events, & More
for the Mid-Shore Region
| | Recognizing MSBH Team Member Anniversaries | | |
Please join us in celebrating the 4-year work anniversaries of Jackie Salb, CPRS, Overdose Prevention Coordinator (pictured right), and Sarah Fegan, LMSW, Behavioral Health Coordinator, Child, Adolescent & Young Adult (CAYA) Population (pictured left).
Over the past four years, Jackie has been instrumental in advancing overdose prevention efforts across the region, bringing compassion and lived experience to support individuals and families. Sarah has made a meaningful impact in strengthening behavioral health services for children, adolescents, and young adults, advocating for early connection to care and support.
We are grateful for the dedication, passion, and care they both bring to their work every day. Thank you, Jackie and Sarah, for all that you do to support Mid Shore Behavioral Health, Inc. and the community!
View our full team here.
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Mid Shore Behavioral Health, Inc. saw an incredible turnout for our April 10th Talbot County Opioid Restitution-funded Good Samaritan Training, bringing together community members and partners to strengthen safety across the mid-shore. Special thanks to our speakers—Sergeant Allen (St. Michael’s Police Department), Catherine Stitchberry (Talbot County Paramedic), and Jermaine Cooper (Peer Support for Talbot County), for sharing their expertise. Participants learned about the Good Samaritan Law, practiced overdose response using Narcan, and explored Safety Outreach & Support (SOS) and peer support services available in the region. We’re grateful to everyone who joined us to build knowledge, foster connection, and help create a safer, more supportive community.
To learn more about MSBH's Good Samaritan and Overdose Response trainings, contact Jackie Salb, CPRS, Overdose Prevention Coordinator.
| May is Mental Health Awareness Month | |
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to reinforce the message that mental health is health and to encourage awareness, conversation, and action across our communities.
The 2026 theme, “More Good Days, Together,” encourages individuals and communities to reflect on what a “good day” looks like and to work collectively to make those moments more accessible for everyone. Whether through outreach, advocacy, or simple acts of connection, this month is an opportunity to promote mental wellness and where to find help in the mid-shore region.
May 1st: National Go Green Day: Kick off the month by wearing green and showing support for mental health awareness.
May 3rd–9th: Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week: Highlights the importance of supporting young people’s mental health, reducing stigma, and connecting children and families to the resources they need to thrive.
May 8th: Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day: A focused day to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and advocate for resources that support children and families.
May 10th–16th: Mental Health Awareness Week: Buildings, organizations, and communities light up green to raise visibility and show collective support for mental health.
Throughout the month, individuals and organizations are encouraged to share resources, attend events, start conversations, and take simple actions that help create a more supportive, informed, and connected community.
If you or someone you know is struggling, you can call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and connect with trained counselors 24/7 for free, confidential support
View the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) 2026 Mental Health Awareness Month Toolkit.
View the Mental Health Association of Maryland (MHAMD) 2026 Mental Health Awareness Month Toolkit.
View the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (SAMHSA) 2026 Mental Health Awareness Month Toolkit.
View Mental Health America's 2026 Mental Health Month Action Guide.
View the Innovation Institute's 2026 Children's Mental Health Action Month Toolkit.
Learn more about Children's Mental Health Week.
Learn more about the Mental Health Association of Maryland's Light Up Green Initiative.
View the National Federation of Families' 2026 Children's Mental Health Action Week Campaign.
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During Mental Health Awareness Month, it’s important to remember that support is always within reach through the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. By simply calling or texting 988, individuals can connect 24/7 with trained counselors who provide free, confidential support for those experiencing emotional distress, mental health challenges, or substance use concerns.
View the 988 website here.
| Mid Shore Suicide Coalition | |
The Mid Shore Suicide Coalition, a partnership between Channel Marker and Mid Shore Behavioral Health, Inc., focuses on suicide prevention through educational resources, training initiatives, and community events. The coalition offers toolkits, suicide prevention training, and a variety of resources for survivors of suicide loss, along with support for individuals and communities impacted by suicide.
To join or learn more, visit Mid Shore Suicide Coalition.
View the MD Department of Health Suicide Prevention Linktree Resources.
| Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE's) Training | |
The University of Maryland Extension MarylandROPTA initiative will host an Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) training on May 7th from 6:30–8:00 PM at the Dorchester County Public Library in Cambridge. This training will explore how toxic stress impacts brain development, the connection between trauma and substance use, and the importance of protective factors and community resilience. Open to the public, especially those in Talbot, Caroline, Kent, Garrett, Dorchester, Worcester, and Queen Anne’s counties. This is a valuable opportunity to build knowledge and strengthen trauma-informed approaches across our region.
View the training here.
| MSBH Hosts 15th Annual ATL Conference | Mid Shore Behavioral Health, Inc. hosted its 15th Annual Across the Lifespan Conference on April 24th, 2026, at the Miles River Yacht Club in St. Michaels, MD, bringing together 112 professionals and community members under the theme “Hope at Every Age: A Lifespan Approach to Suicide Prevention.” The conference featured expert presentations on suicide prevention across youth, adult, and older adult populations, highlighting warning signs, risk factors, and practical intervention strategies. Attendees also engaged in small group discussions and a collaborative art project using yellow ribbons to symbolize hope, connection, and suicide prevention awareness. | New Job Opportunity at MSBH! | |
Mid Shore Behavioral Health, Inc. is seeking a full-time Grants Coordinator to manage the financial administration of sponsored projects and grants. This role is responsible for preparing and monitoring grant budgets, reconciling expenditures, submitting financial reports and reimbursement requests, supporting audits, and ensuring compliance with funder and organizational requirements. The Grants Coordinator works closely with program staff, the finance team, and service providers and should have a bachelor’s degree in a related field, 2–5 years of grants or nonprofit finance experience, and proficiency in QuickBooks, grant tracking systems, and Excel. For more information or to apply, contact Kelley Moran at kmoran@midshorebehavioralhealth.org or call 410-770-4801 ext. 318.
View all MSBH open positions here.
| | Maryland Health Indicator Dashboard | |
The Maryland Department of Health has launched the Maryland Health Indicator Dashboard, a new online tool designed to strengthen public health awareness and support data-driven decision-making statewide. The dashboard features more than 75 key indicators, allowing users to explore topics such as behavioral health, chronic disease, insurance coverage, and maternal and child health. With interactive charts, maps, and demographic comparisons, it makes complex health data easy to understand and apply.
Explore the Maryland Health Indicator Dashboard here.
| Updated MSBH Behavioral Health Resource Guide | |
MSBH has released its updated Behavioral Health Resource Guide for the mid-shore region. Now updated monthly, the guide serves as a growing resource for local behavioral health services.
For questions or concerns, please contact jqvarnstrom@midshorebehavioralhealth.org.
View MSBH Resource Guides and Brochures here.
(Page is updated monthly, please bookmark to access the most recent updates)
| Mental Health Association of Maryland 2026 Legislative Bill Tracking | | In-Person Trainings & Events | | |
- May 11th - 13th, 2026, 10 AM - 4 PM: Mental Health Association of Maryland: Dialogic Practice: The Art of Presence. Bon Secours Conference & Retreat Center, 1525 Marriottsville Rd, Marriottsville, MD.
- May 14th–17th, 2026, All Day: American College of Preventive Medicine (ACPM): Preventive Medicine 2026. Baltimore, Maryland.
- May 15th, 2026, 5:30 PM - 7 PM: Line Dance and Mental Health Awareness Family Night. Mace's Lane Middle School.
- May 15th, 2026, 6 PM: R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center Center for Injury Prevention & Policy: Life-Saving Bleeding Control Training (STOP THE BLEED). Dorchester County Public Library, 303 Gay Street, Cambridge, MD.
- June 5th, 2026, 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM: Queen Anne’s County Department of Aging & Transportation: QAC Inter-Agency Meeting. Queenstown Landing, Queen Anne’s County, Maryland.
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Need support during a mental health or substance use crisis? Marylanders can call, text, or chat 24/7 with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline to connect with trained, compassionate specialists. In addition to immediate help, 988 can connect you with local mental health and substance use services.
For more information and resources, click here.
| | Pathways to Wellness: Integrating Suicide Prevention in Substance Use Disorder Treatment | | |
This resource provides guidance on integrating suicide prevention in substance use disorder (SUD) treatment. It describes the importance, feasibility, and effectiveness of incorporating suicide risk screening and brief interventions in SUD treatment and offers a list of resources to help you apply suicide prevention strategies in your practice. Designed for substance use disorder treatment professionals, this document may also be useful for other behavioral and mental health clinicians.
View the resource here.
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- Mindful Mondays meets Mondays, 10 a.m to 11 a.m. at the Dorchester County Health Department. This class is for individuals involved in the justice system (parole, probation, pre-trial release) who want to learn how to calm themselves through stretches and breathing techniques. For more info, contact sue.radcliffe@maryland.gov.
- The Talbot County Caregiver Support Group meets on the third Wednesday of each month from 1-2 p.m. This group helps Alzheimer's caregivers develop a support system, exchange information on challenges and solutions, and talk through issues and ways of coping. For more info, contact swolfberg@intergracare.com or jane.bateman@homeinstead.com.
- The Healthy Living Workshop is a one-time interactive class that focuses on healthy lifestyle strategies to prevent/manage hypertension and diabetes. Meets on the third Tuesday of every month.
- Ages and Stages Class addresses new parent topics such as caring for your baby, healthy nutrition, and self-care. For more info call 410-479-8185.
- Mid Shore Therapist Support Network: A monthly network group for therapists who are open to working with lgbtq+ individuals and need to build skills and confidence to do so. Email Rachel Hutchison for more information.
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NAMI KQA offers a free online peer-led Family Support Group, for family members of older teens and adults struggling with serious mental illness -- the FSG meets twice a month. More info at 443-480-0565 or namikentandqueenannes@gmail.com.
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Talbot Mentors Parent Support Group, the last Wednesday of every month. This support group focuses on three areas that families have identified as important: Financial Literacy, Mental Health, and Art.
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The Maryland Crime Victims’ Resource Center, Inc. (MCVRC) invites families and friends of homicide victims to participate in a safe peer support group. MCVRC welcomes individuals, families, and friends to benefit from this free support service whether or not there has been an arrest or prosecution. To join, please call MCVRC at 301-952-0063 and do an intake with an advocate. This group meets on the first Tuesday evening of every month in a hybrid format.
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Chesapeake Voyagers, Inc. is hiring a full-time Peer Support Specialist (PSS) in Easton, MD. This 40-hour-per-week position is part of a peer-operated nonprofit where staff use their lived experience with mental health or substance use challenges to build mutual, supportive relationships rooted in Intentional Peer Support. Responsibilities include building non-judgmental connections, co-facilitating support groups, supporting self-advocacy in the community, collaborating with staff and local partners, and helping maintain a welcoming peer-run center. Candidates should have at least five years of wellness/recovery (if applicable) and a willingness to share their lived experience in a collaborative environment. Please submit your resume and a detailed letter about your lived experience and interest in a peer-run environment to careers@chesapeakevoyagers.org.
- Channel Marker is hiring a Residential Crisis Services Coordinator in Easton, MD. This full-time role supports adults in need of short-term mental health crisis stabilization, including supervising crisis support staff, conducting admissions and intakes, assisting with transitions and discharge planning, and connecting clients to community resources. Flexible, team-oriented candidates with a bachelor’s degree (master’s preferred) are encouraged to apply here.
- Dorchester County Health Department is hiring mental health clinicians (LCSW-C) to work in an expansion of the School-Based Wellness Center program. Position would serve early elementary ages (PreK -2nd grade) in a small Tier II behavior program. Individual and family treatment, classroom-wide groups, and case management. Please apply via the Maryland State application if interested and/or contact Mindy Black-Kelly, LCSW-C, for more information, 443.521.1662 mindy.black-kelly@maryland.gov
| | Introduction to Careers in Healthcare (ITCH) Program | | |
The Introduction to Careers in Healthcare (ITCH) program, established in 2023, connects middle and high school students in Caroline, Chestertown, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, and Talbot Counties with career opportunities in the medical field. ITCH provides hands-on experiences, mentorship, and career planning to help students explore healthcare professions beyond what they see on TV. Through job shadowing, internships, and professional guidance, ITCH empowers young people to build confidence, develop career goals, and support the future of local healthcare.
Learn more here.
| | Grant & Funding Opportunities | | Make a Big Difference with Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Eastern Shore | | |
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Eastern Shore (BBBSES) is a local mentoring non-profit serving all nine counties across Maryland’s Eastern Shore. By committing just 2-4 hours a month, volunteer mentors help youth facing adversity discover their strengths, grow in confidence, and reach their full potential. Mentoring also helps volunteers strengthen their leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills! Each match is carefully made based on shared interests and personalities, so both children and volunteers can build a genuine connection.
Interested in becoming a Big or referring a child? Visit shorebiglittle.org, call 410-543-2447, or email info@shorebiglittle.org to learn more.
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Caroline County Residents
Kent County Residents
| |  | | Mid Shore Health Improvement Coalition Interactive Food Resource List | | |
The Mid Shore Health Improvement Coalition provides a range of food resources to support individuals and families in need across the region. From food pantries and soup kitchens available daily to mobile meal services through Shore Gourmet 'SHO-GO,' fresh groceries and prepared meals are delivered to various locations in Caroline, Dorchester, and Talbot counties. The coalition also supports homebound seniors through Meals on Wheels, as well as students and families with weekend food through Backpack Programs.
For more information on eligibility and services, visit their website or reach out to the coalition directly.
| | Additional Links & Resources | | Mid Shore Health Improvement Coalition | | |
The Mid Shore Health Improvement Coalition is making it easier to get connected to health resources in the region.
Residents can now text MIDSHORE to 898-211 and receive a monthly notification with a calendar of health events taking place within Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne's, and Talbot counties.
Find health fairs, support groups, new parent classes, blood pressure screening, food pantries, walking groups, diabetes prevention programs, and so much more!
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The A.F. Whitsitt Center is a 24/7 inpatient residential treatment program in Chestertown, Maryland, that provides comprehensive care for adults experiencing substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders. The center offers medically monitored withdrawal management, residential treatment, crisis stabilization, and a range of therapeutic services delivered by a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals. With a focus on dignity, compassion, and recovery, the program supports individuals from admission through aftercare planning to help them achieve long-term stability and improved quality of life.
Click here to learn more.
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Mid Shore Behavioral Health, Inc.
28578 Mary’s Court, Suite 1
Easton, MD 21601
410-770-4801
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