May 2026 | Issue 54



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

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, with Children's Mental Health Awareness Week running from May 3rd to May 9th. We are looking forward to our annual Mental Health Awareness Family Fun Day on May 9th, which will be held in partnership with Severn Elementary School and, as always, will include lots of fun activities, giveaways and resources from local organizations. It's free to attend, with no registration required, we hope to see you there! We also invite you to check out our daily activity calendar for your own self-care action plan for Mental Health Awareness Month on the Anne Arundel County Department of Health's website!

Mental Health America has released their 2026 Mental Health Awareness Month Action Guide. This year's theme, More Good Days Together, is meant to encourage us all to think about what a "Good Day" looks like for ourselves and our community. The guide has online activities, articles, printable tools, and practical resources, including Spanish languages resources.

If you are in crisis and need help, call 988 or our Warmline is open 24/7

at 410-768-5522.

Please join the Anne Arundel County Local Behavioral Health Authority for the Annual Leadership Summit on Tuesday, May 19th, from 8:30 to 10:30 AM ET.

This event will bring together local leaders and community partners to reflect on the past, present, and future of Crownsville Hospital Center and consider its impact on behavioral health outcomes in Anne Arundel County today.

This year's summit will start with an opening discussion to set the stage, which will be followed by a smaller group workshop. Participants in the workshop will help refine our Collective Agenda and identify ways to strengthen current priorities and strategies, particularly in addressing persistent systemic inequalities.

Event Highlights:

Welcome & remarks from local leaders

Overview of the history and impact of Crownsville Hospital Center

Discussion and refinement of our Collective Agenda

Discuss and refine our shared measurements and tools for collective action

Next steps and upcoming meetings

While attendees are encouraged to attend in person, this event is hybrid and is also being offered via Zoom.In-person attendees are invited to a networking session from 8:30 AM to 9:00 AM ET. Virtual attendees, please join at 9 AM ET

Location:Crownsville Hospital Center Nonprofit Center

41 Community Place, Crownsville, MD 21032

May is Older Americans Month, and the Anne Arundel County Department of Aging and Disabilities and Annapolis Recreation and Parks will be hosting a

free celebration from 11:00 AM-2:00 PM ET in Annapolis.

Adults aged 55 and older are invited to join them for food, resources and entertainment. Anyone needing accomodations should call 410-222-4369 or email doad_events@aacounty.org at least 7 days in advance. Individuals who use Maryland Relay, call 7-1-1 for assistance.

Interested in being a vendor?

Vendor registration is now open. The Anne Arundel County Department of Aging requests that each attending staff member is registered separately.

One 6-foot table and chairs will be provided

Vendor set up is 8:30 AM-9:45 AM and lunch will be provided!

Location:

Pip Moyer Recreation Center, 273 Hilltop Lane, Annapolis

Our annual Mental Heath Awareness Family Fun Day has moved to a new location! This year's event will now be held at Severn Elementary School,

838 Reece Road, Severn, MD 21144. from 10:00 AM-2:00 PM ET.

No RSVP necessary, join us for a fun day for all ages!

We will have family resources from local organizations, fun activities including facepainting, caricature art, a calming room, DJs, a photobooth and more!

The Anne Arundel County Department of Health is proud to announce that they will host the 3rd Annual Help Healing and Hope Summit, Embracing Experiences That Center Communities, on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, from

at the Anne Arundel Community College.

This daylong event is dedicated to suicide prevention strategies and practices and will feature workshops, networking and more.

Free CEUs will be available

The Anne Arundel County Behavioral Health Advisory Council

Next Virtual Meeting: Tuesday, June 16th

Please Note: we will be holding the Anne Arundel County LBHA Leadership Summit on May 19th in place of the regular monthly Behavioral Health Advisory Council Meeting

Established in 1999, members of the Behavioral Health Advisory Council (BHAC) include key stakeholders across the system committed to the utilization of the CCISC model and ensuring that Anne Arundel County provides an accessible, comprehensive behavioral health system for all residents.

 Participants on the council are co-chairs from Anne Arundel County Department of Health and Anne Arundel County Mental Health Agency, mental-health

and substance-use providers, hospital representatives, community members, cultural-organization representatives, and more. 

Their goal is to improve the mental wellness of all Anne Arundel County residents and assure access to needed services. Providers and referring agencies are empowered to successfully identify, refer and treat individuals with any Behavioral Health challenge. They provide input, direction, and influence on

behavioral health action planning in the county.

Meetings are held via Zoom.

All Anne Arundel County residents are welcome to attend,

however registration is required.

Next meeting: Tuesday, June 16th, 9:00 AM-10:30 AM ET

Download the Meeting Registration Link

Prom is an exciting milestone for teens, but it can also be stressful. Social dynamics, financial pressure, and fear of missing out can all bring out big emotions-sometimes in ways that are hard for teens to articulate.

The Child Mind Institute has developed a toolkit for parents, caregivers, and teens that includes tipsheets, resources, videos, and suggestions to spur conversations and help teens manage their anxieties.

Children's Mental Health Matters is hosting two free webinars for parents, caregivers, and teachers for Mental Health Awareness Month.

Thursday, May 14th, 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM ET

Bridges of Support: Building a Strong Foundation for Kids’ Emotional Safety

 Learn simple, caring ways to help children feel safe and calm. This workshop offers practical techniques like breathing exercises, grounding activities, and creating supportive routines. You’ll discover how to help children share their feelings and build confidence.

Tuesday, May 19th, from 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM ET

Bridges of Support: Supporting Kids & Teens with Compassion & Confidence

Discover gentle, effective ways to help children bounce back from challenges and grow stronger. This workshop offers research-based strategies like fostering a growth mindset, supporting emotional skills, and creating nurturing environments.

5/4 Webinar: Engage with® Older Adults Skills Training - Core Skills Part 1 and 2

5/6 Webinar: Maternal Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Panel

5/7 Webinar: Suicide Assessment and Treatment Among Older Adults

5/7 The National Council on Aging 9th Annual Older Adult Mental Health Awareness Day Symposium (Virtual)

5/8 Webinar: Tools and Strategies for Addressing Implicit Bias and Structural Racism in Mental Health Practice

5/11& 5/12 Webinar: Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach (A-CRA)

5/11-5/13 Dialogic Practice: The Art of Presence (Marriottsville)

5/14 Webinar: Botvin LifeSkills Training (LST)

5/15 Webinars: Calming the Overactive Mind: Neuroscience-Based Skills for Disrupting Worry and Rumination in Therapy and Working with Neurodivergent Clients: Inclusive Approaches for Autism and ADHD (Can Register for One or Both Trainings)

5/19 Webinar: Assessing and Addressing the Social Determinants of Mental Health in Clinical Practice

5/20 Webinar: Fostering Psychological Safety in Social Work Supervision

5/26 Webinar: Screening, Brief Intervention & Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) with Adolescents

5/28 Webinar: A Trauma-Informed Approach to Delivering Care to Individuals with an Opioid Use Disorder

6/10-6/13 NASW National Conference (Washington DC or Virtual Attendance)

5/2 Frank Hebron Harman Wellness Expo Day (Hanover)

5/2 Anne Arundel County River Days Festival at Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (Edgewater)

5/3 NAMI Anne Arundel Connection Support Group for Individuals over 18 who have Experienced Mental Health Symptoms (Severn)

5/4 NAMI Anne Arundel Family Support Group for Family Members and Friends of Someone over 18 with a Mental Health Condition (Annapolis)

5/9 Mental Health Journaling Crafternoon (Glen Burnie)

5/12 NAMI Anne Arundel Virtual Support Group for those Married to or in a Relationship with Someone Living Symptoms of a Mental Health Condition

5/12 Heart and Soul Grief Support Group (Pasadena)

5/13 University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center Mental Health Support Group (Glen Burnie)

5/13 Anne Arundel County Department of Aging and Disabilities Caregiver Support Group Meeting (Glen Burnie)

5/14 & 5/28 NAMI Anne Arundel Connection Support Group for Individuals over 18 who have Experienced Mental Health Symptoms (Severna Park)

5/15 Webinar: Between Two Worlds- Identity, Mental Health, and Belonging for Asian Americans

5/16 Women’s Mental and Physical Wellness Fair (Discoveries:The Library at Annapolis Mall)

5/16 Presentation: Boundaries that Build Better Relationships (Discoveries: The Library at Annapolis Mall)

5/16 My Life Foundation’s Annual Community Resource Fair (Hanover)

5/18 NAMI Anne Arundel Virtual Peer Support Group for Veterans and Active/Prior Military Service Members

5/18 Anne Arundel County Department of Aging and Disabilities Caregiver Support Group Meeting (Virtual)

5/19 Anne Arundel County Department of Aging and Disabilities Caregiver Support Group Meeting (Annapolis)

5/19 Presentation: Navigating Aging Alone? Seven Strategies for Living Well and Planning Ahead as a Solo Ager (Maryland City at Russett Library)

5/19 and 5/20 Free Virtual Adult Mental Health First Aid Training from UMD Maryland ROPTA

5/20 Webinar: Navigating Postpartum Depression-What New Parents Need to Know

5/27 NAMI Anne Arundel Support Group for Parents and Caregivers of Middle and High School Aged Children Showing Symptoms or Diagnosed with a Mental Health Condition (Severna Park)

5/29 Women's Wellness Dance Party (Annapolis)