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Welcome to the Latest News page where you will find the latest news and information on the Anne Arundel County Mental Health Agency. This page is updated regularly, so check back often.

Crisis Response Warmline:  410-768-5522
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Anne Arundel County Local Behavioral Health Authority (LBHA) Monthly Newsletters

June 2023

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The Anne Arundel County Local Behavioral Health Authority (LBHA) regulary emails announcements of interest to local providers. If you would like to receive the LBHA Provider Announcement emails, please submit your request to aac-lbha-connect@aacounty.org.

Posted: 10/04/2022

The Maryland Department of Health has released an updated list of state-wide Behavioral Health walk-in and urgent care centers. To download a copy of the list, CLICK HERE.

In addition The Maryland Crisis Hotlines Resource Guide has been updated. To access that list, CLICK HERE.

Posted: 12/14/2022

On Thursday, June 15th, On Our Own of Maryland will be at the Brooklyn Park Library from 4:00 PM-5:00 PM ET to lead a discussion for Teens: LGBTQ+ Mental Health and You. Click Here for more information.

Posted: 06/01/2023

The Community Foundation of Anne Arundel County will be hosting an in-person Adult Mental Health First Aid training on Monday, July 31st, 2023 from 9:00 AM-4:00 PM ET.

This training is appropriate for anyone age 18 and older who wants to learn how to help a person who may be experiencing a mental health related crisis or problem.

This will be held in Annapolis, and tickets are $25 per person. Registration ends on Monday, July 17th.

Click Here for more details or to register for this event.

Posted: 05/23/2023

The Anne Arundel County Mental Health Agency and the Anne Arundel County Department of Health have compiled the following information and resources for addressing mental health and overall well-being of children and adults. These resources are important for both those directly impacted by a crisis (such as victims, witnesses, responders) as well as others in the community.

Crisis Support Services

• The Anne Arundel County Crisis Response System provides crisis support services through a 24/7 local warmline (410) 768-5522.
• The Disaster Distress Helpline is a 24/7, national hotline dedicated to providing immediate crisis counseling for people who are experiencing emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster. Call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.

Ongoing Mental Health Support

Mental health evaluation, treatment, and other support resources are available in our community. Visit Network of Care for a list of local providers, talk with your primary care doctor, or contact your insurance company directly for information on preferred providers and your individual plan benefits for behavioral health services. Call the Anne Arundel County Department of Health at (410) 222-0117 or the Anne Arundel County Mental Health Agency at (410) 222-7858 during business hours for help with connecting with local resources. For 24/7 access to resources call the Anne Arundel County Crisis Response System warmline at (410) 768-5522.

Signs & Symptoms of Distress

When a community has experienced a traumatic event or crisis, children and adults may feel significant fear, anxiety and stress. This impact may be felt by those who were directly involved in the event (such as victims, witnesses, responders) as well as others who may not have been directly involved. This response may cause physical symptoms or illness in the body, emotional distress, and/or behavioral changes. Sometimes adults or children will show symptoms right away, or sometimes it may take much longer for symptoms to appear. Being involved in a traumatic event or even hearing about it via media reports may cause people to feel distress by reminding them of past events in their lives.

Resources for Staff/Responders

• Talking to Children About Violence
• Tips for Self-Care
• Tips for Families & Educators

Additional Resources

• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Agency
• National Institute of Mental Health

National Child Traumatic Stress Network

The National Child Traumatic Stress Network has developed resources to help families and communities. These resources include tip sheets on:

· The Psychological Impact of the Recent Shooting

· Tips for Parents on Media Coverage

· Parent Guidelines for Helping Youth after the Recent Shooting

· Talking to Children about the Shooting

· Helping Young Children with Traumatic Grief: Tips for Caregivers

· Helping School-Age Children with Traumatic Grief: Tips for Caregivers

· Helping Teens with Traumatic Grief: Tips for Caregivers

· Helping Youth After a Community Trauma: Tips for Educators

· After a Crisis: Helping Young Children Heal

The NCTSN also has resources on Psychological First Aid (PFA). PFA is an early intervention to support children, adolescents, adults, and families impacted by these types of events. Many of our materials have been translated into numerous languages, including Spanish. An online training course for PFA is available on our NCTSN Learning Center, as well as a Childhood Traumatic Grief Speaker Series. PFA Mobile is an app that can be accessed for free for Apple mobile devices.

To access these resources and others, go to

Terrorism and Violence and Traumatic Grief

Available from the Center for the Study of Traumatic Stress at the Uniformed Services University:

· Funerals and Memorials: a Part of Recovery

· Grief Leadership: Leadership in the Wake of Tragedy

· Leadership Communication: Anticipating and Responding to Stressful Events

Posted: 06/29/2018

If you have experienced a traumatic event or a critical incident (any event that causes unusually strong emotional reactions that have the potential to interfere with the ability to function normally), even though the event may be over, you may now be experiencing or may experience later, some strong emotional or physical reactions. It is very common, in fact quite normal, for people to experience emotional aftershocks when they have passed through a horrible event. Sometimes the emotional aftershocks (or stress reactions) appear immediately after the traumatic event. Sometimes they may appear a few hours or a few days later. And, in some cases, weeks or months may pass before the stress reactions appear. The signs and symptoms of a stress reaction may last a few days, a few weeks, a few months, or longer, depending on the severity of the traumatic event. The understanding and the support of loved ones usually cause the stress reactions to pass more quickly. Occasionally, the traumatic event is so painful that professional assistance may be necessary. This does not imply craziness or weakness. It simply indicates that the particular event was just too powerful for the person to manage by himself.

Here are some common signs and signals of stress reaction:

Physical:

Chills, thirst, fatigue, nausea, fainting, twitches, vomiting, dizziness, weakness, chest pain, headaches, elevated BP, rapid heart rate, muscle tremors, shock symptoms, grinding of teeth, visual difficulties, profuse sweating, difficulty  breathing, etc...

Cognitive:

Confusion, nightmares, uncertainty, hypervigilance, suspiciousness,  intrusive images, blaming someone, poor problem solving, poor abstract thinking, poor attention/ decisions, poor concentration/memory, disorientation of time, place or person, difficulty identifying objects or people, heightened or lowered alertness, increased or decreased awareness of surroundings, etc...

Emotional:

Fear, guilt, grief, panic, denial, anxiety, agitation, irritability, depression, intense anger, apprehension, emotional shock, emotional outbursts, feeling overwhelmed, loss of emotional control, inappropriate emotional response, etc...

Behavioral:

Withdrawal, antisocial acts, inability to rest, intensified pacing, erratic movements, change in social activity, change in speech patterns, loss or increase of appetite, hyper alert to environment, increased alcohol consumption, change in usual communications, etc...

* Any of these symptoms may indicate the need for medical evaluation.  When in doubt, contact a physician.

THINGS TO TRY:

• WITHIN THE FIRST 24 - 48 HOURS periods of appropriate physical exercise, alternated with relaxation will alleviate some of the physical reactions.

• Structure your time; keep busy.

• You're normal and having normal reactions; don't label yourself crazy.

• Talk to people; talk is the most healing medicine.

• Be aware of numbing the pain with overuse of drugs or alcohol, you don't need to complicate this with a substance abuse problem.

• Reach out; people do care.

• Maintain as normal a schedule as possible.

• Spend time with others.

• Help your co-workers as much as possible by sharing feelings and checking out how they are doing.

• Give yourself permission to feel rotten and share your feelings with others.

• Keep a journal; write your way through those sleepless hours.

• Do things that feel good to you.

• Realize those around you are under stress.

• Don't make any big life changes.

• Do make as many daily decisions as possible that will give you a feeling of control over your life, i.e., if someone asks you what you want to eat, answer him/her even if you're not sure.

• Get plenty of rest.

• Don't try to fight reoccurring thoughts, dreams or flashbacks- they are normal and will decrease over time and become less painful.

• Eat well-balanced and regular meals (even if you don't feel like it).

FOR FAMILY MEMBERS & FRIENDS

• Listen carefully.

• Spend time with the traumatized person.

• Offer your assistance and a listening ear if (s)he has not asked for help.

• Reassure him/her that he is safe.

• Help him/her with everyday tasks like cleaning, cooking, caring for the family, minding children.

• Give him/her some private time.

• Don't take his/her anger or other feelings personally.

• Don't tell him/her that he/she is "lucky it wasn't worse;" a traumatized person is not consoled by those statements. Instead, tell him/her that you are sorry such an event has occurred and you want to understand and assist him/her.

Call Anne Arundel County Crisis Response for resources at 410-768-5522

©International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, Inc. 2001 All Rights Reserved.

Posted: 07/03/2018

The Anne Arundel County Mental Health Taskforce's goal is to address the mental health needs of children and adolescents in Anne Arundel County.

Recognizing that the issues surrounding the mental health of children and the work to be done to combat those issues is bigger than any one agency, Dr. George Arlotto, Superintendent of Anne Arundel County Public Schools, collaborated with County Executive Steuart Pittman on this effort.  They decided that this joint task force should be co-chaired by Ryan Voegtlin, Director of Student Services, Anne Arundel County Public Schools, and Adrienne Mickler, Executive Director, Anne Arundel County Mental Health Agency.  

Click here for the full Summary Report

Posted: 10/08/2020

Anne Arundel County Local Behavioral Health Authority

     

FY 22 Annual Plan

Posted: 09/27/2021

On July 1, 2021, certain executive orders issued during the State of Emergency were terminated. One of the orders was Executive Order 20-04-01-01, which expanded the use of telehealth and audio-only services. This order is replaced by the Preserve Telehealth Act (SB 3).

CLICK HERE to view a list of FAQs regarding this update.

If you have a behavioral health question related to post COVID-19 telehealth services, please contact bha.inquiries@maryland.gov with additional questions or concerns, or contact your Local Behavioral Health Authority

Posted: 08/12/2021

The Anne Arundel County Mental Health Agency's Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was updated on March 2, 2021.

Click here for our current MOA.

Posted: 03/03/2021

Preregistration and appointment links are below:

Anne Arundel County Department of Health:
https://aacounty.org/covidvax

Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center:
https://living.aahs.org/community-vaccine-clinics/

University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center:
umbwmc.org/getthevaccine

Giant Food (Glen Burnie and Annapolis):
https://giantfood.com/pages/covid-info

For Veterans, VA Maryland Health Care System:
https://www.maryland.va.gov/services/covid-19-vaccines.asp

Maryland Department of Health Vaccination Site Locator:
https://maryland.maps.arcgis.com/apps/instant/nearby/index.html?appid=0dbfb100676346ed9758be319ab3f40c&find=

Posted: 02/03/2021

Click HERE for our updated Privacy Notice.

Posted: 01/28/2021

Innovative solutions to address the mental health crisis: Shifting away from police as first responders

The Anne Arundel County Mental Health Agency's Crisis Response System was featured in a Brookings Institute Report on innovative solutions to address mental health crisis.

Click here for the full report.

Posted: 12/01/2020

The Maryland Behavioral Health Administration has updated the Provider Application for Licensure Under COMAR 10.63 Community-Based Behavioral Health Programs and Services.

Application for Licensure Under COMAR 10.63 Application (revised 10/2020)

For more information, visit the BHA Accreditation and Licensing Information website.

Posted: 11/06/2020

Visit the OpenArundel website for current data on the Anne Arundel County Cross-Departmental COVID-19 Response.

Posted: 11/04/2020

Tips, helpful books, activities and journal prompts for children and parents.

Click here to see the full list.

Posted: 10/29/2020

The Maryland Behavioral Health Administration has issued their 2020-2021 Behavioral Health Plan.

Click here for the Plan Memo.

Click here for the Plan Document.

Posted: 10/06/2020

Crisis Response Warmline - (410) 768-5522

Network of Care - Mental Health Provider Directory for Anne Arundel County

Behavioral Health Resources Page - Anne Arundel County

Posted: 10/02/2020

Click here to view the infographic.

• 1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness each year
• 1 in 25 U.S. adults experience serious mental illness each year
• 1 in 6 U.S. youth aged 6-17 experience a mental health disorder each year
• 50% of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14, and 75% by age 24
• Suicide is the 2nd leading cause of death among people aged 10-34

Crisis Response Warmline - (410) 768-5522

Posted: 10/02/2020

It is with tremendous pride that I would like to announce that the Anne Arundel County Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) was selected for the 2020 CIT International Crisis Intervention Team Award.  Through the partnership and teamwork of the Anne Arundel County Police Department and the Anne Arundel County Mental Health Agency’s Crisis Response System, they are able to work collaboratively to de-escalate critical situations and identify the needs of an individual or group in crisis.   By doing so, they are able to take an unmanageable situation and bring it to a safe and favorable resolution by exhibiting extraordinary professionalism, compassion and respect. There were many outstanding nominations, but the exceptional work that this team performed throughout the year stood out above and beyond all others.  Their abilities and contributions are an important key to the success of the Crisis Response System.  The citizens of this county are fortunate to have these dedicated individuals who make this county a place where people want to live, work and play--truly the best place for all.

Congratulations to being the 2020 International CIT of the Year!  Their work is greatly respected and appreciated!

Adrienne J. Mickler, Executive Director

Posted: 07/14/2020

In response to the COVID-19 global pandemic, many individuals and families have been affected. As a result, Catholic Charities of Baltimore has launched a bilingual SNAP telephone hotline to assist with SNAP applications.

Help is available by calling the bilingual SNAP hotline at 667-600-2291 between 8:30 am – 5:00 pm Monday – Friday.

Benefit Counselors are also available at 667-305-6024 or 443-885-9707 to assist with additional benefits.

Pandemic EBT Frequently Asked Questions

SNAP Online FAQ

Beneficios de emergencia están disponibles

Posted: 07/09/2020

The purpose of this tool is to assist behavioral health providers in planning for safe, long-term organizational preparedness during the COVID-19 pandemic. There are universal preparedness questions that all providers should consider, however, there is not a one size fits all approach to planning for continuity of operations.

Click here for the checklist.

Posted: 06/19/2020

Anne Arundel County Local Behavioral Health Authority

     

FY 21 Annual Plan

Posted: 06/04/2020

Inspector General Warns About New Social Security Benefit Suspension Scam

The Social Security Office of the Inspector General has received reports that Social Security beneficiaries have received letters through the U.S. Mail stating their payments will be suspended or discontinued unless they call a phone number referenced in the letter. Scammers may then mislead beneficiaries into providing personal information or payment via retail gift cards, wire transfers, internet currency, or by mailing cash, to maintain regular benefit payments during this period of COVID-19 office closures.

Social Security will never:

• Threaten you with benefit suspension, arrest, or other legal action unless you pay a fine or fee.
• Promise a benefit increase or other assistance in exchange for payment.
• Require payment by retail gift card, cash, wire transfer, internet currency, or prepaid debit card.
• Demand secrecy from you in handling a Social Security-related problem.
• Send official letters or reports containing personally identifiable information via email.

Click here for more information.

Posted: 05/12/2020

In response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, the Network of Care team is working with our content partners to ensure that every Network of Care website provides comprehensive, continually updated resources at the local, state and national levels. Please find this content in your local Network of Care website at the red “Coronavirus (COVID-19)” bar near the top of every page.

Click here for the full press release.

Posted: 04/14/2020

Anne Arundel County Police Department compiled the following list of resources:

Posted: 04/01/2020

Managing Suicidal Clients During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Click here for more information.

Posted: 03/30/2020

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

The Maryland EIP and our partners are taking measures to support public health during these difficult times. We acknowledge the stress of coping with COVID-19 among providers, consumers, friends, and family. To that end, please find specific resources below on coping with COVID-19 and adjusting during this time. As a reminder, there are also helpful early psychosis resources that are available online at www.MarylandEIP.com.

General Resources and Info on Protecting Your Mental Health

• The Mental Health Association of Maryland has compiled a list of resources to protect your wellbeing at this time (this will be updated daily).

• The Maryland Coalition for Families has resources for recovery supports during this pandemic, including for Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), and Gamblers Anonymous (GA) groups.

• The Suicide Prevention Resource Center also has a number of resources for coping with COVID-19.

• The National Alliance on Mental Illness has also released a comprehensive guide to answer frequently asked questions regarding the intersection between COVID-19 and mental health, in addition to an article on coping skills to use during this time.

• For general information on COVID-19 and information on ways to protect your mental health, please visit our partner’s resource guide at the National Center for School Mental Health.

• SAMHSA’s Disaster Distress Helpline also provides 24/7, 365-day-a-year crisis counseling and support to people experiencing emotional distress. Call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 to connect with a trained crisis counselor. More information can be found here.

  • If you, or someone you care about, are feeling overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, depression, or anxiety, or feel like you want to harm yourself or others call 911.

For Providers

• The Maryland Department of Health’s Behavioral Health Administration has a comprehensive list of resources for the community and providers.

• Behavioral Health System Baltimore has COVID-19 Prevention and Response Resources for providers, including specific state guidance on mental health services. Further Baltimore-specific resources can be found here.

• Maryland Association of Behavioral Health Authorities also offers county-specific information for providers in Maryland.

• The American Psychological Association has a free office and technology checklist for telepsychological services and has also made their Telepsychology Best Practice 101 Series freely available.

 Early Psychosis Resources

• Our website now has a revamped Resource area with extensive early psychosis information for providers, consumers, family, and friends.

• Maryland’s Behavioral Health website has 24 free modules on early psychosis for individuals interested in supporting youth/young adult mental health

Please follow us on Facebook for weekly updates and more information.

Take care,

The Maryland EIP

Posted: 03/30/2020

The Institute for Innovation & Implementation has released two Special Guidance Reports on Wraparound and FOCUS modifications to effectively support young people and families during COVID-19, while also adhering to public health and safety standards.

Posted: 03/27/2020

Tips for Caregivers on Media Coverage of Upsetting Events

These tips include information on Understanding Media Exposure and What Parents/Caregivers Can Do to Help.  This resource has been translated into the following languages:

• Arabic
• English
• French
• Spanish
• Swahili

Posted: 03/26/2020

Toolkit for Responder Self-Care/Psychological First Aid (PFA)

Responder self-care is a critical component of Psychological First Aid. Responders deploy on short notice, face terror and destruction, and work long hours. These challenges make normal mechanisms of self-care difficult to access and easy to overlook.

It is imperative for responders to tend to their physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing. Without adequate self-care, fatigue, adrenaline, and a desire to help can lead to ineffective, or even regrettable, decisions and practices.

Self-care includes actions taken before, during and after deployment.

Click here for more information.

Posted: 03/24/2020

The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) released three communications with guidelines for expanded telehealth services as a result of COVID-19 during the state of emergency on March 21, 2020.

• Telephone Services Authorized for General Health Care Services [attachment 4a]
• Telephone Services Authorized for Behavioral Health Services [attachment 4b]
• Telehealth Services Authorized for Psychiatric Rehabilitation Programs (PRP) [attachment 4c]

These documents are posted on the BHA website as well.

For questions about the information included in these guidelines, please email BHA at ivajean.smith@maryland.gov.

Posted: 03/23/2020

On March 5, 2020, a state of emergency and a catastrophic health emergency was proclaimed
in Maryland. Recognizing that this may impact the State’s ability to timely process renewals of
expiring permits, licenses, and registrations, Governor Hogan issued an Executive Order
governing said licenses. The Executive Order extends licenses that would expire during this
period of a state of emergency.

Click here for the full memo from the Behavioral Health Administration.

Posted: 03/19/2020

Click here for the FY 18 Annual Report and FY 20 Annual Plan.

Posted: 06/13/2019

The 2019 Community Health Needs Assessments (CHNA) report about Anne Arundel County is now available.

Posted: 02/27/2019

Click here for more information.

Posted: 06/12/2019

Updated list of the sites where individuals can go and receive assistance with applying for insurance (Medicaid, QHPs through Maryland Health Connection). Please reach out to Kristina Dickinson, at kristinadickinson@aacounty.org, with any questions you may have.

Click here to view the updated list.

Posted: 02/01/2019

This chapter:

A. Prohibits inappropriate sexual behavior in covered programs; and

B. Adopts awareness and prevention training and reporting requirements regarding inappropriate sexual behavior that a covered program shall fulfill in order to be licensed by the Department or any of its Administrations, or approved by the Department or any of its Administrations to receive funding to provide services in Maryland.

For more information on this chapter of COMAR, please visit the following website:

COMAR 10.01.18

Reporting Form (MDH 4749)

Posted: 01/31/2019

Please click here for an important message from the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners regarding new requirements for Criminal History Record Checks for Renewal.

Posted: 07/02/2018

Please click here.

Posted: 02/12/2018

Please click here to see the attached notice from Beacon- Fentanyl

Posted: 01/17/2018

Beacon Provider Alert Balancing Incentive Program DLA-20 Training and Implementation Update CLICK here.

Posted: 12/23/2016