Date/Time
2 CEs
In honor of Black History Month, this interactive roundtable convenes cross-sector partners and community stakeholders to examine the critical role of plain, unified language in suicide prevention and wellness efforts across Maryland.
Participants will explore how using shared, accessible language across systems supports help-seeking behaviors, reduces stigma, and strengthens coordination for Black and Brown communities.
The discussion will examine current data and trends related to suicide risk and mental health disparities, with a focus on how language used across behavioral health, education, athletics, faith-based organizations, and community settings can either create barriers or promote connection to care. Panelists will share lessons learned and real-world examples that highlight the impact of aligned messaging on prevention, resilience, and community engagement.
Participants will strengthen their ability to apply data-informed, culturally grounded strategies to improve communication, collaboration, and outreach. The roundtable will also highlight practical recommendations for aligning language across sectors, centering lived experience, and embedding prevention-focused messaging into everyday practice. Maryland-specific insights and resources will be shared to support implementation and sustainability across communities.
Learning Objectives
Identify evidence-informed communication practices that reduce stigma and improve help-seeking among youth and families.
Describe how culturally responsive and strength-based language supports prevention, engagement, and resilience in youth mental health contexts.
Apply data-informed strategies to align messaging and prevention efforts across clinical, educational, and community systems
Analyze the impact of sociocultural stressors, including racism and systemic inequities, on youth mental health and suicide risk.
Integrate youth voice and lived experience into prevention-oriented mental health communication and program design.
Location: Virtual
Sponsored By: Maryland Department of Health’s Office of Integrated Wellness and Prevention and the University of Maryland School of Medicine’s Training Center
Cost: Free