In June we highlight the following:

Minority Mental Health Awareness Month

Days to Celebrate:

                        International Self Care Day (Jul. 24)

World Day Against Trafficking Persons (Jul. 30)

This month's newsletter includes useful information about local events and resources as well as exciting agency updates.

Tips and Knowledge

Licensed Mental Health Therapist- Full time

Empowering Minds Resource Center is seeking a licensed clinician to provide therapeutic services to children and families in the Baltimore, Anne Arundel and Harford County areas. This individual will be responsible for providing clinical assessment/diagnostic and follow-up individual and group therapy. He/she will develop and monitor treatment plans and client progress, document significant interactions, and maintain clinical charts and other reporting data. The candidate should have the ability to work with a diverse client population in a variety of treatment approaches.

Minimum Qualifications: 

Must possess active master level license (LMSW, LGPC, LCSW, LCSW-C, LCPC) in Maryland; and 1 year of comparable experience. Polished communication skills.

***$5000 sign on bonus w/2 year employment commitment***

Licensed Mental Health Therapist

Licensed Mental Health Therapist - Part Time

Baltimore, Glen Burnie and Edgewood locations (Telehealth is available)

Empowering Minds Resource Center is seeking a licensed clinician to provide therapeutic services to children and families in the Baltimore, Anne Arundel and Harford County areas. This individual will be responsible for providing clinical assessment/diagnostic and follow-up individual and group therapy. He/she will develop and monitor treatment plans and client progress, document significant interactions, and maintain clinical charts and other reporting data. The candidate should have the ability to work with a diverse client population in a variety of treatment approaches.

Minimum Qualifications: Must possess active master level license (LMSW, LGPC, LCSW, LCSW-C, LCPC) in Maryland; and 1 year of comparable experience. Polished communication skills.

Case Manager - Baltimore, Harford and Prince Georges locations

 Job Summary:

· Provide targeted mental health case management for youth with serious emotional disturbances and co-occurring disorders

· Meet with enrolled and potential clients and their families to create a Plan of Care

· Conduct comprehensive assessments and other assessments as required by DHMH

· Coordinate and facilitate Family Team Meetings

· Provide management of the POCs

· Collect information during the application process and as identified in each POC

· Identify providers, supports, and resources for clients

· Coordinate meetings with client and family to (a) meet with providers to ensure goodness of fit for proposed services and products in compliance with the POC (b) meet with family peer-to- peer support, intensive in-home service, mobile crisis response service, and other providers appropriate to the POC

· Maintain client clinical documentation using EHR

· Provide on-call services as scheduled

· Promptly respond to client crises

· Provide case management for client open-access as scheduled.

· Facilitate groups



The Direct Service Coordinator (DSC) assists clients with mental illness in reaching a higher level of independence and integration within their community. The DSC is an advocate who support clients in accessing and coordinating benefits, services and community-based resources.

• Monitor each client during in-person visits of 30-45 minutes for a minimum of three visits (for children & adolescents) and six visits (for adults) per month and document any changes in the client's emotional, psychological, or physical health
• Document monthly all client contact, interaction, interventions and goal achievement, including dates, locations, and types of contact 
• Work cooperatively with family and other involved professionals to coordinate services with other agencies and programs in the best interest of the client
• Research and provide the client with community-based resources as needed to meet the client's needs and encourage progress toward personal goals
• Facilitate client participation in weekly EMRC group meetings to encourage peer socialization and development of coping strategies/techniques

July is a mix of things to celebrate.

July was first declared as National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month in 2008. Since then, July has been a time to acknowledge and explore issues concerning mental health, substance use disorders, and minority communities, and to destigmatize mental illness and enhance public awareness of mental illness among affected minority groups across the U.S. Studies suggest that racial minority groups and sexual minority groups show higher levels of anxiety, depression, suicidal tendencies, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other mental health disorders.

Unfortunately, in most of the cases, society’s deep-rooted prejudice towards such stigmatized minority groups is a major cause of feelings of rejection, estrangement, and harassment. Moreover, immigration status, economic conditions, education levels, and access to public health benefits are just a few differences that can adversely impact the experiences of various ethnic groups in the U.S.

The fact is anyone can experience mental health conditions, regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender identity. However, within our society, culture, values, background and identity can all affect how we experience and perceive mental health care, which will impact how effective mental health management is addressed. Here are some important facts and statistics:

According to U.S. Veteran Affairs, researchers who conducted various studies of PTSD in ethnic minority Vietnam Veteran populations found that overall ethnic minority groups have a higher rate of PTSD than white veterans, especially Blacks and Latinx.

Native and indigenous people, who serve in the military at higher rates than other groups, are disproportionately affected by mental health and substance use issues with severely limited access to support and services.

According to studies, 1 in 5 Latinx experiences mental health challenges. Yet, they are one of the least likely to seek mental health treatment due to language fluency, cultural barriers and access to health coverage.

Reports show that Asian Americans are three times less likely to seek mental health services than other Americans due to the stigma of how mental illness would reflect on their families and they face the most difficulty accessing care because of language barriers.

There is an estimated one million lesbian, gay or bisexual veterans in the U.S., however the LGBTQ+ group is known to face increased health risks and unique challenges accessing care.

These facts are important because the disparities in accessing quality mental health care cannot and should not be ignored. Cultural stigma, socioeconomic factors, structural barriers, bias and discrimination does impact an individual's ability to access the quality care they deserve.

Cultural competence among mental health care providers is also essential in helping receiving care. Conscious or unconscious bias or lack of cultural competence can result in misdiagnosis, inadequate treatment and mistrust. Cultural competence matters in mental health care, and if you don’t feel like you are able to connect with your current service provider, you have the right to change them.

Resources as it relates to Minority Mental Health Awareness Month- in addition to the services offered at EMRC:

NATIONAL

General

SAMHSA’s Mental Health Hotline

• Immediate crisis: 988 
• Phone: 1-800-662-4357

Suicide

Suicide Hotline

• Immediate crisis: 988
• Phone: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
• Phone (En español): 1-888-628-9454

Veterans

Veterans Crisis Line

• Phone: 1-800-273-8255 (PRESS 1 or TEXT 838255)
• Online Chat 

Maryland

General

Access Health Services

• Location: 9470 Annapolis Rd Lanham, MD 20706 
• Phone: (202) 499-4300
• Email: info@accesshealthservices.org

Veterans

Steven A. Cohen Military Family Clinic at Easterseals

• Location: 1420 Spring St #300 Silver Spring, MD 20910
• Phone: (240) 847-7500
• Email: info.mfc@eseal.org

Youth

Embark Behavioral Health

• Location: 7945 MacArthur Blvd Suite 210 Cabin John, MD 20818 
• Phone: (301) 686-5972

Senior Citizens

Adult Behavioral Health Program

• Location: 11002 Veirs Mill Rd Suite 705 Silver Spring, MD 20902 
• Phone: (240) 777-3962

LGBTQ+

Life Stance Health Doveal Goins, PsyD

• Location: 1662 Village Green Ste 100 Crofton, MD 21114 
• Phone: (410) 757-2077

Suicide

Covenant Healthcare System

• Location: 3415 Hamilton Street, Suite 6 West Hyattsville, Maryland 20782 
• Phone: (301) 363-0707
• Email: covenantpsychservices@gmail.com

Community Resources:

Visit FoundinFaithMD.org/get-help/apply/

to apply to the Fresh Start Furniture Program TODAY!

If you do not have computer access, please call 443-519-2464 ext. 2

ALL FURNITURE REQUESTS ARE SCHEDULED BY APPOINTMENT ONLY

If you need immediate help finding shelter or a place to eat, call 211.

Meals

Baltimore- Our Daily Bread Employment Center

725 Fallsway, Baltimore City

443-986-9000

PG CO- Bethel House 301-372-1700 & Salvation Army of Prince George’s County Food Pantry 301-277-6103

AA CO- Anne Arundel County Food Access WARM Line 410- 222- 3663 &

Anne Arundel County Food Bank

120 Marbury Drive Crownsville, MD 21032

Harford CO- Breathe 379, 2124 Nuttal Ave. Edgewood. Groceries, prepared food, clothes.

& EPICENTER, EPICENTER at Edgewood, 1918 Pulaski Hwy, Edgewood. 443.981.3742.

Mental Health Assistance

National Alliance for Mental Illness

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline  

Call 24/7: 1-800-273-8255

Baltimore Crisis Response, Inc.

Call 24/7: 410-433-5175 if you or someone you know needs help with a mental health crisis

Legal Services

Homeless Persons Representation Project (HPRP)

201 N. Charles St., Suite 1104, Baltimore City

410-685-6589 / 800-773-4340

Provides free legal aid to those experiencing or at risk of homelessness

Maryland Legal Aid

500 E. Lexington St., Baltimore City

410-951-7777

Provides a full range of free civil legal services to financially eligible individuals, with a focus on legal issues concerning elder rights, employment, family, public benefits, health care and housing

Reentry Services

Assists prisoners, ex-prisoners and others in need become independent, responsible citizens through civil legal assistance and re-entry services

Baltimore- Alternative Directions

2505 N. Charles St., Baltimore City

410-889-5072

PG CO- People Ready 5814 Baltimore Ave.

Hyattsville, Maryland 20781 (301)277-2172

AA CO- AmeriCorps (800) 942-2677

Identification

Beans and Bread

402 South Bond St., Baltimore City

410-732-1892

ID cards and birth certificates available on the first business day of the month to the first 5 to 10 people who arrive

Manna House

435 East 25th St., Baltimore

410-889-3001

Provides assistance with birth certificate and ID cards applications

Employment Assistance

ONE STOP CAREER CENTERS

Downtown One Stop Career Center

1100 North Eutaw St., Room 101, Baltimore City

410-767-2148

Eastside One-Stop Career Center

3001 East Madison St., Baltimore City

410-396-9030

Provides assistance with job search strategies, employment referrals and placement and other workforce services; offers access to copiers, faxes and phones

Northwest American Job Center (Re-entry Center)

Mondawmin Mall, Suite 302

2401 Liberty Heights Avenue

Baltimore, MD 21215

Telephone: 410-396-7873

DROP-IN CENTERS

Manna House

435 E. 25th St., Baltimore City

410-889-3001

Franciscan Center

101 W. 23rd St., Baltimore City

410-467-5340

H.O.P.E.

2828 Loch Raven Rd., Baltimore City

410-327-5830

Provides clothing, communication, laundry, food, recreation and showers

** For any other region specific info email socialmedia@emrcgroup.org **

Empowering Minds is proud to recognize Michelle Hasty as the Direct Service Coordinator of the month.

Empowering Minds would like to shine the spotlight on a dedicated longtime member of our team Michelle Hasty. Michelle consistently takes on new responsibilities with her clients to develop her skills and increase her knowledge of community resources that are tailored to the needs of the client. Michelle displays dedication to putting the individual’s preference as a priority when researching community services that support each individual goals. Michelle participates fully in monthly meetings and consistently asks questions for clarity to provide quality care that meets EMRC standards. Michelle communicates effectively collaborating with supervisors, colleagues, and other professionals to keep individuals connected to their communities while providing quality services and resources that bring about change to improve the wellness of the whole person's mental, physical, and social health. Empowering Minds Resource Center is proud to acknowledge Michelle Hasty as an advocate for mental health dedicated to providing quality service and care for individuals seeking services with EMRC.