September 2025 | Issue 46



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

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and the Maryland Department of Health's Behavioral Health Administration Office of Suicide Prevention has resources and more in their Connecting to Hope Suicide Prevention Awareness Month Toolkit. SAHMSA has also developed a toolkit and resource center to help raise awareness, promote hope, and

reduce stigma that prevents those at risk from asking for help.

The Anne Arundel County Suicide Prevention Coalition is a collaboration between community members and public health professionals working to improve access to mental health resources and support with a goal of reducing suicide deaths, attempts and stigma in county. The coalition has workgroups focused on education and outreach, systems and environment, and data. Members of the public are invited to attend the coalition's bi-monthly meetings. Visit the Suicide Prevention Coalition's webpage to learn more or to access their interest form.

September is also Recovery Month. This national observance was created to educate about treatment and recovery practices, and to celebrate the recovery community, along with the service providers, friends and family, and community members who make recovery possible. Download SAMHSA's Recovery Month Toolkit to learn how recovery is REAL (Restoring Every Aspect of Life) for everyone when given the right treatment, support, and resources.

In addition, the Anne Arundel County Department of Health’s Recovery Community Support Services Program (RCSS) aims to help individuals in accessing the skills and services needed for county residents to reach their individual recovery goals by using a strengths-based, person-centered approach.

For county residents seeking treatment information, contact the Anne Arundel County Department of Health Treatment Referral Line at:

410-222-0117 



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

Did you know around 75% of people seeking recovery achieve it? It’s true!

 Recovery is something to be proud of and to be celebrated. The Anne Arundel County Department of Health invites you to show what recovery means to you by participating in the Show Us Your Sign Media Campaign.

The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 for anyone in emotional distress, facing substance use challenges, or even loneliness.

On 988 Day (September 8th), you are invited to help amplify this critical resource. 

Mental health matters. And 988 provides judgment-free support 24/7. On Monday, September 8th, help spread the word that help is just three numbers away.

Post. Share. Text. Check in. However you show up, it counts.

Need ideas? The 988 Day toolkit has sample posts, graphics,

and ways to get involved.

Everyone can play a part in suicide prevention by promoting well-being and hope.

You are invited to share a photo or phrase about ways you promote suicide prevention, well-being and hope this month, and throughout the year. Photos will be included in a video shared by the Anne Arundel County Department of Health.

The Anne Arundel County Behavioral Health Advisory Council

Next Virtual Meeting: October 21st

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.

Please note the BHAC will not meet in August or September.

Next meeting: Tuesday, October 21st, 9:00 AM-10:30 AM ET

Download the Meeting Registration Link

Join the Friends of Crownsville Hospital Patient Cemetery, Anne Arundel County, and the State of Maryland for a powerful and long-awaited moment of remembrance as they unveil the Say My Name Memorial, a permanent tribute to the more than 1,700 individuals who lived and died at Crownsville State Hospital, many of whom were laid to rest in unmarked graves.

New Date: Thursday, September 4th, 2025

11:00 AM ET

Crownsville Hospital Memorial Park Cemetery

Please note parking at the cemetery will not be permitted. Guests can park at the Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds starting at 10 a.m., and shuttle service will be available until the program starts at 11 a.m.

Join the Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County for a free, in-person presentation of the 2025 Community Needs Assessment-Poverty Amidst Plenty VIII . This event offers an in-depth look at the strengths and challenges facing Anne Arundel County.

Dr. Pamela Brown, lead author of the report and respected data and policy expert, will present key findings and trends in the areas of education, health, housing, income, and the environment. Her presentation will help guide meaningful discussion and inform action across sectors.

Attendees will receive a complimentary printed copy of the full report.

This event is free and open to the public.

Space is limited, advance registration is required.

This presentation will be held on additional dates in locations

throughout the county in October and November.

Monday, September 22nd

9:00 AM-11:00 AM ET

Chesapeake Arts Center, 194 Hammonds Lane, Brooklyn Park

This interactive workshop offered by the Mental Health Association of Maryland equips educators, mental health professionals, parents and caregivers with the tools to recognize warning signs of suicide in children and teens, understand age-specific behaviors, and respond with compassion and confidence.

Participants will explore real-life scenarios, learn developmentally appropriate strategies for emotional support, and engage in brief, practical exercises that model coping and connection. The session balances education with empowerment—offering clear action steps, local and national resources, and a safe space to discuss an often difficult but essential topic. This presentation is designed to leave participants feeling more prepared, not more overwhelmed.

Date and Time: Thursday, September 18th

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM ET

9/3 Webinar: Dual Relationships-Balancing Ethical Relationships

9/5 Implicit Bias Webinar: Increasing Understanding Towards Justice in the Provision of Mental Health Care

9/5 Webinar: Best Practices for Assessing and Responding to Suicide Risk and Response Within Social Work Settings

9/12 Webinar: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy of Body Dysmorphic Disorder

9/16 Webinar: The Power of Goodbye Rituals-The Importance of Involving Children in the Bereavement Process

9/16 Webinar: Mastering Difficult Conversations-Supervisory Skills for Impactful Communication and Performance

9/17 Maryland Governor’s Commission on Suicide Prevention Monthly Meeting (Live on Facebook at @MDHSuicidePrev)

9/17 Webinar: Too Hot to Handle - The Impacts of Rising Temperature and Other Effects of Climate Change on Mental Health

9/17 Webinar: Legal and Ethical Requirements for Clinical Record-Keeping: From the Basic to the Complicated

9/19 Webinars: Ethical Concerns and Considerations When Working with Immigrant Populations and Advancing Supervisory Skills: Improving Emotional Intelligence for Workplace Conflict Resolution (Can register for one or both)

9/19 Webinar: Navigating Suicide Risk- Assessment Strategies and Clinical Considerations

9/25 Webinar: Transitional Strategies for New Supervisors

9/25-9/26 NASW-MD Chapter’s Annual Fall Clinical & 13th Annual Macro Social Work Conference (Linthicum)

9/26 Webinar: Neurodiversity in Clinical Practice-Treatment Considerations and Practical Strategies to Improve Patient Outcomes

9/26 Webinar: Social Work in Disasters and Public Health Emergencies

9/2 Choose Your Own ASMR (Odenton Library)

9/6-9/20 Underground Railroad Events at Historic London Town and Gardens

9/8 Anne Arundel County Department of Aging Training: What Caregivers Want (and Need) to Know (Edgewater)

9/10 Healthy Anne Arundel Mental Wellness Workgroup Meeting (Annapolis)



9/10 BWMC Mental Health Support Group (Glen Burnie)

9/10-9/14 Anne Arundel County Fair (Crownsville)

9/11 Suicide Prevention Webinar: Talk Saves Lives-Supporting our Veterans

9/11 QPR Gatekeeper Suicide Prevention Training (Brooklyn Park Library)

9/13 QPR Gatekeeper Suicide Prevention Training and Naloxone Training (Virtual)

9/13 Anne Arundel County River Days Festival at Fort Smallwood Park (Pasadena)

9/16 Suicide Prevention Webinar: Talk Saves Lives

9/18 Anne Arundel County Department of Aging Training: What Caregivers Want (and Need) to Know (Linthicum)

9/22 Anne Arundel County Health Equity Forum

9/24 Eastport Terrace and Harbour House Family Community Event (Annapolis)

9/24 Our Neighborhood, Our Future Listening Session at Robinwood Community Center (Annapolis)

9/26 Virtual Adult Mental Health First Aid Training from Maryland ROPTA