May 2025 | Issue 42



The Anne Arundel County Local Behavioral Health Authority or LBHA is a

partnership between the Anne Arundel County Department of Health

and the Anne Arundel County Mental Health Agency, Inc.

If you are interested in subscribing to the Anne Arundel County LBHA

Provider Announcement Listserv, please email your request to

aac-lbha-connect@aacounty.org

Since 1949, May has been recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to recognize the importance of mental health and wellness and to celebrate those in recovery from mental Illness. This year's theme is focusing on wellbeing at all life stages. SAMHSA has created a toolkit with weekly focuses on older adults, children, those with serious mental health challenges, the connection between mental and physical health, and the power of community.

In addition, Mental Health America is sharing action plans to improve mental health, including a mental health grocery list, tips for creating a healthy home environment, a building boundaries worksheet, and much more.

We encourage everyone to find ways to focus on their own mental health this month, and hope that your plans include joining us for our annual Mental Health Awareness Family Fun Day on Saturday May 10th! We are looking forward to partnering with Center of Applied Technology North in Severn and have

a lot of fun activities and resources from local organizations for all ages.

If you are in crisis and need help, our Warmline is open 24/7 at 410-768-5522.

Anne Arundel County Behavioral Health Leadership Summit

Virtual or In-Person

Tuesday, May 20th

This event will bring together local leaders and community partners to plan for how to improve behavioral health in our County—and how we need to adapt our approaches in the context of today and the future. Through interactive discussions, participants will help refine our Collective Agenda and identify where they’re leading or supporting efforts that move our shared priorities forward.

While attendees are encouraged to attend in person, this event is hybrid and is also being offered via Zoom. There is no cost to attend.

Tuesday, May 20th, 8:30 AM-10:30 AM

Location: Anne Arundel County Department of Health,

3 Truman Parkway, Annapolis

Parenting a teenager can feel like navigating uncharted waters, especially when it comes to mental health. In this webinar, hosted by McClean Hospital, dive into the most effective strategies for supporting your teen’s emotional well-being in today’s fast-paced, high-pressure world.

Learn how to recognize early warning signs of mental health struggles, foster open communication, and nurture resilience and confidence.

Friday, May 2nd, 12:00 PM-1:00 PM ET

In this free webinar from Children's Mental Health Matters! A Maryland Public Awareness Campaign, participants will learn multiple powerful language strategies that can transform the lives of students. Participants will be taught concrete strategies for talking with students that:



1) establish effective listening habits

2) develop the right mindset around learning

3) increase memory capacity

4) build hope and optimism

5) improve behavioral compliance

6) help students leverage self-talk for better self-regulation

In addition, participants will learn to use language that de-escalates potential crises and powerfully builds positive relationships. What adults say to kids- and how they say it- matters in remarkably enduring ways. This free workshop led by Frank Kros, MSW, JD demonstrates what to say and how to say it to develop and enhance students' skills and strengths.

Thursday, May 15th, 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM ET

5/6 Webinar: Supporting Widowed Parents, Strengthening Families-A Holistic Approach to Grief

5/7 Webinar: The Power of Civility in the Social Service Workplace

5/7 Webinar: Gaming and Youth- Psychological Impacts and Clinical Support for Families

5/8 Webinar: Suicide Prevention in Children and Adolescents

5/9 Webinars: Beyond Cultural Competence: Cultural Humility in Clinical Practice and Emotional Intelligence and LGBTQ+ Inclusive Care: Cultivating Empathy, Awareness, and Affirming Practices (Can Register for One or Both Sessions)

5/9 Webinar: Leveraging the Power of Peers in Substance Use Recovery- Supporting Clients and Strengthening Systems

5/9  Webinar: Advancing Lived Experience Integration and Leadership in Mental Health Services Design, Implementation and Research

5/9 Webinar: Complicated Relationships-Case Studies in Ethics and Boundaries

5/13 Virtual Presentation: The State of Behavioral Health in Maryland with Deputy Secretary Alyssa S. Lord and Special Guests

5/14 Webinar: The Value of Person-Centered Cultural Assessment in Clinical Practice

5/16 Webinar: Disaster Mental Health- Supporting Survivors and Meeting the Growing Demand for Crisis Support

5/22 Webinar: Motivating Change- Practical Approaches to Mental Health through Motivational Interviewing

5/28 Webinar: Navigating Justice and Moral Injury- Clinical Strategies for Trauma-Informed Care in High-Stakes Settings

5/28 Maryland BHIPP Webinar: Assessment and Treatment Approaches from the Maryland Early Intervention Program – Early Psychosis in Transition-Age Youth

5/30 Webinar: Social Work, Ethics, and the Law

5/30 Ethics for Macro Social Work Practitioners

5/2 Webinar for Parents and Caregivers: Preparing for Kindergarten-Social and Emotional Skills

5/3 Anne Arundel County Department of Public Works Annual Open House (Millersville)

5/3 North County Community Fair (Glen Burnie)

5/5 Presentation: Safely Aging in Place (Discoveries: The Library at Annapolis Mall)



5/6  Workshop: What Caregivers Want (and Need) to Know (Severna Park Library)

5/8 Grief Circle (Edgewater Library)

5/10 Journaling for Mental Health (Glen Burnie Library)

5/13 Webinar: Successfully Supporting an Adult Living with Anxiety

5/14 Mental Health Check In and Gun Violence Intervention (Eastport Library)

5/17 Community Resource Fair at the Church at Severn Run (Severn)

5/17 Hospice of the Chesapeake's Smash and Mend Healing Retreat (Pasadena)

5/17 Anne Arundel County River Days Festival at Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (Edgewater)

5/19 Anne Arundel County Health Equity Virtual Forum

5/20 Webinar: A Parent's Guide to Dealing with Bullying

5/20 Virtual Black & Suicidal Peer Support Group

5/20 Mindfulness in Nature (Brooklyn Park Library)