2016 Children's Mental Health Matters Campaign Wrap Up

2016 Campaign Wrap-Up

Campaign Highlights Each year the Mental Health Association of Maryland (MHAMD) and the Maryland Coalition of Families (MCF) coordinate the Children’s Mental Health Matters! Campaign (CMHM!). The goal of the Campaign is to raise public awareness of the importance of children’s mental health. Ultimately, our hope is that more Maryland families, schools and communities will recognize mental health problems and connect to the help and support they need, so that all children have the opportunity to be successful in school, at home, in the community, and in their future adult lives. The Children’s Mental Health Matters!

Campaign celebrated with awareness week, May 1 - 7, 2016. Highlights include:

2016 was the 8th annual Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week

The CMHM! Facebook page gained 475 likes in 2016 alone.

Posts from May 2016 had an aggregate average

reach of 10,342.

100 Close to

community partners joined CMHM! Campaign efforts.

Partners hosted health fairs, outreach & training & other community oriented events.

The most attended event in 2016 had over

150+

participants

In 2016, the Campaign partnered with over

270

schools, achieving its highest number of School Champions yet.

Between April 20th & May 8th, a total of 8,300 impressions were made on Twitter 1

School Champions (274) Maryland schools were invited to participate by becoming a Children’s Mental Health Matters!

School Champion. Schools designated someone to be a School Champion Coordinator (or Team). The coordinator was responsible for organizing at least one awareness raising or educational activity for their school during Awareness Week. Once they signed up, the Campaign provided them with materials and information including tips on how their school could participate.

Accokeek Academy Middle Adelphi Elementary Alexander Hamilton Elementary Allenwood Elementary Arlington Elementary #234 Arlington Middle #234 Arrowhead Elementary Arundel Elementary Arundel Middle Augusta Fells Savage Institute High Baden Elementary Baltimore Collegiate for Boys Middle Baltimore Design Middle & High Barack Obama Elementary Battle Grove Elementary Bay-Brook Elementary Bay-Brook Middle Beacon Heights Elementary Bear Creek Elementary Beechfield Elementary Beechfield Middle Belmont Elementary Benjamin D. Foulois Performing & Creative Arts Middle Benjamin Tasker Middle Benjamin Stoddert Middle Berkshire Elementary Boonsboro High Bowie High Brehms Lane Elementary Calverton Elementary Calvin Rodwell Elementary Carrollton Elementary Carver Vocational-Technical High Catherine T Reed Elementary Catonsville High Cecil Elementary Central Elementary Charles Carroll Barrister Elementary Charlesmont Elementary Cherokee Lane Elementary Chesapeake Terrace Elementary Children’s Guild, Prince George’s Charter Elementary & Middle Chillum Elementary City Springs Elementary City Springs Middle Clinton Grove Elementary Cockeysville Middle Colonel Richardson Middle Colonel Richardson High Commodore John Rodgers Elementary

2

Commodore John Rodgers Middle Coppin Academy High Cora L. Rice Elementary Croom High Crossroads Center Middle Curtis Bay Elementary Curtis Bay Judy Center Elementary Curtis Bay Middle Dallas F. Nicholas Sr. Elementary Deep Creek Elementary Deerfield Run Elementary Denton Elementary Dickey Hill Elementary Dickey Hill Middle Digital Harbor High District Heights Elementary Dodge Park Elementary Doswell Brooks Elementary Dr. Bernard Harris Senior Elementary Dr. Carter G. Woodson Elementary Dr. Carter G. Woodson Middle Dr. Henry A. Wise Junior High Dr. Henry A. Wise High Dr. Martin Luther King Elementary Dr. Martin Luther King Middle Drew-Freeman Middle Dumbarton Middle Dunbar High Dundalk Elementary Dundalk Middle Dundalk High Edgemere Elementary Edward M. Felegy Elementary Elmwood Elementary Eutaw Marshburn Elementary Excel Academy at Francis M. Wood High Farquar Middle Federal Hill Preparatory Elementary Federalsburg Elementary Featherbed Lane Elementary Fort Washington Forest Elementary The Foundation School in Largo Elementary & Middle & High The Foundation School of Montgomery County Elementary & Middle & High Francis Scott Key Elementary Francis Scott Key Middle Francis T. Evans Elementary Franklin Elementary Franklin Square Elementary Frederick Douglas High Friends School of Baltimore Pre &

Elementary & Middle & High Friendship Academy at Cherry Hill Elementary Friendship Academy at Cherry Hill Middle Friendship Preparatory Academy at Calverton Elementary & Middle Fullerton Elementary Gardenville Elementary G. James Gholson Middle General John Stricker Middle General Wolfe Academy Elementary George Washington Elementary Gilmor Elementary Glemar Elementary Glen Burnie High Glenarden Wood Elementary The Goddard School – Gambrills Pre/ Kindergarten Graceland Park/O’Donnell Heights Elementary Graceland Park/O’Donnell Heights Middle Grange Elementary Greenbelt Elementary Greensboro Elementary The Green School of Baltimore Elementary Green Street Academy Middle & High Gwynn Park Middle Gwynn Park High Hampden Elementary Hampden Middle Hampstead Hill Academy Pre & Elementary & Middle Hampton Elementary Harford Heights Judy Center Pre/ Kindergarten Hazelwood Elementary Hazelwood Middle Heather Hills Elementary Henderson-Hopkins School Kindergarten & Elementary & Middle Hernwood Elementary Highland Park Elementary Highlandtown Elementary #215 Highlandtown Middle #215 Highlandtown Elementary #237 Highlandtown Middle #237 High Road Academy Elementary & Middle & High Hillcrest Heights Elementary

Hilton Elementary Hilton Middle Holabird Elementary Holabird Middle Hollywood Elementary Hyattsville Elementary Hyattsville Middle Imagine Andrews Charter Kindergarten & Elementary & Middle Imagine Foundation at Morningside Kindergarten & Elementary Indian Queen Elementary International High at Largo Academy James Madison Middle James McHenry Elementary James McHenry Middle James Mosher Elementary James Ryder Randall Elementary John Eager Howard Elementary John Ruhrah Elementary Judy Center John Ruhrah Middle Judy Center Johnston Square Elementary Kenilworth Elementary Kettering Middle KIPP Ujima Middle KIPP Harmony Elementary Lakeland Elementary Lakeland Middle Langley Park McCormick Elementary Largo High Laurel Elementary Leith Walk Elementary Leith Walk Middle Liberty Elementary Lockerman Middle Logan Elementary Longfields Elementary Maree G. Farring Elementary Maree G. Farring Middle Martin Luther King Jr. Middle Mary Ann Winterling Elementary Mary Harris “Mother� Jones Elementary Matthew Henson Elementary Matthew Henson Middle Melwood Elementary Melwood Middle Montebello Elementary Montebello Middle Montpelier Elementary Moravia Park Judy Center Elementary Morrell Park Elementary Morrell Park Middle NACA Freedom & Democracy II Academy Kindergarten & Elementary National Academy Foundation School Middle & High New Era Academy Middle & High North Bend Elementary North Bend Middle North Caroline High Northern Middle Northwestern High Norwood Elementary Owings Mills Elementary Parkville High

Patapsco High Patterson High Patuxent-Appeal Campus Elementary Paul Laurence Dunbar High Perry Hall Elementary Perrywood Elementary Phyllis E. Williams Spanish Immersion Elementary Pimlico Elementary Pimlico Middle Pine Grove Middle Port Towns Elementary Pot Spring Elementary Preston Elementary Randallstown Elementary Reach High Reginald F. Lewis High Ridgely Elementary Rita Church Recreation Center Robert Frost Elementary Rogers Heights Elementary Rognel Heights Elementary Rognel Heights Middle Roland Park Elementary Roland Park Middle Roots & Branches Rosa L. Parks Elementary Rosedale Alternative Samuel FB Morse Elementary Samuel P. Massie Academy Elementary Sandy Plains Elementary Scotchtown Hills Elementary Sharp-Leadenahll Elementary Skyline Elementary Southwest Baltimore Charter Kindergarten & Elementary & Middle Sparrows Point Middle Sparrows Point High SPROUT Pre-K St. John Baptist de la Salle Pre Stephen Decatur Middle Success Academy Elementary Suitland Elementary Summit Hall Elementary Surrattsville High TEST Home Kindergarten, Elementary, Middle & High Thomas Jefferson Elementary Thomas Jefferson Middle Thomas Pullen K-8 Arts Academy Kindergarten & Elementary & Middle Thurgood Marshall Middle Timonium Elementary Tulip Grove Elementary University Park Elementary Violetville Elementary Walker Mill Middle Waverly Elementary Waverly Middle Western High Westside Elementary William Paca Elementary Williamsport Elementary Winand Elementary Windsor Hills Elementary

Windsor Hills Middle Windsor Mill Middle Wolfe Street Academy Elementary Woodhome Elementary Woodhome Middle Woodridge Elementary Yorkwood Elementary

3

Community Partners (92) We invite organizations to join as Campaign Partners to make each year’s Children’s Mental Health Matters! Campaign wide-reaching. Partnership with community organizations enables the Campaign to reach a diverse audience of families, caregivers, educators, and providers through many different channels.

Governor’s Office for Children & The Maryland Children’s Cabinet Behavioral Health Administration Maryland State Department of Education 4 the Healing in You, Inc. Adoptions Together A Legacy Left Behind, Inc. Alpha BEST Education, Inc. Alison J. Bomba, Psy.D. Alliance, Inc. Annapolis Pediatrics Anne Arundel County Mental Health Agency Associated Catholic Charities – Villa Maria at Fallstaff Clinic Baltimore Child Abuse Center Baltimore City Special Education Citizens’ Advisory Committee Baltimore County Health Department/ Bureau of Behavioral Health Core Service Agency Behavioral Interface, Inc. Boulevard Christian Church Bowie Youth & Family Services Box Hill Pediatrics Carroll Co. Health Dept. Bureau of Prevention, Wellness & Recovery Catholic Charities Early Head Start Harford County Center for Child & Family Traumatic Stress at Kennedy Krieger Institute Channel Marker, Inc. Charles County Core Service Agency Children’s Empowerment Group City of College Park City of Hyattsville College Park Youth & Family Services Community Counseling & Mentoring Services, Inc. Community Crisis Services Consumer Quality Team Contemporary Family Services, Inc. Court Appointed Special Advocate Crossroads Community Inc. Cultural Academy for Excellence District Heights Family & Youth Services Bureau

4

Extra-Ordinary Birthdays Financial Empowerment Movement Inc. Fireflies Denton The Foundation Schools The Goddard School for Early Childhood Development Good Shepherd Services Greenbelt CARES Harford Co. Health Dept. – Div. of Social Work Services Holistic Child Psychiatry, LLC Howard County Mental Health Authority Howard County Office of Children’s Services In Reach, Inc. Interdynamics, Inc. Joe’s Movement Emporium Key Point Health Services Leading By Example, LLC Lighthouse Youth and Family Services Maryland Association of Nonpublic Special Education Facilities Maryland BHIPP Maryland Disability Law Center Maryland Family Resource Maryland LAUNCH Maryland Multicultural Youth Center Maryland State Council on Child Abuse & Neglect MD-SPIN Mental Health Association in Talbot County Mental Health First Aid Maryland Mid-Shore Mental Health Systems Montgomery County Core Service Agency MPB Group Inc. NAMI Montgomery County Nonprofit Prince George’s County Office of Psychological Services, PGCPS PACE Consulting The Pathways Schools Prince George’s Child Resource Center Prince George’s County Dept. of Family Services, Children, Youth & Families Division Prince George’s County Health Department Prince George’s County Health Department/ Behavioral Health Services/Core Service Agency

Prince George’s County Memorial Library System Queen Anne’s County Department of Health Reid Temple Restoration Center, Inc. RICA-Baltimore Sheppard Pratt Health System Step By Step of Maryland Taghi Modarressi Center for Infant Study, UM School of Medicine The Training Source, Inc. Therapeutic Foster Care at Kennedy Krieger Institute Tri-County Youth Services Bureau University of Maryland Augusta Fells Savage Institute University of Maryland School of Social Work Washington County Free Library Washington County Mental Health Authority WIN Family Services Worcester Co. Local Management Board & Core Service Agency

Media Data & Stats The Campaign significanly grew its social media presence in 2016. We worked hard to reach interested parties on Facebook and Twitter. The Children’s Mental Health Matters! Campaign website saw an increase of hits during the months of May and June and offered visitors a way to access information in an online format. Some highlights from our efforts are below:

Website

www.ChildrensMentalHealthMatters.org

475 out of 517 total likes gained during 2016 alone

The Children’s Mental Health Matters! website had

Posts from mental health month, May 1st - 31st, had an aggregate average reach of 10,342

between April and June 2016.

7, 709 hits

253 total page shares 211 page shares since January 1, 2016, had an aggregate reach of 10,342 people

Twibbon

8,300 total impressions from gained during April 20th - 8th alone

170 mentions in tweets posted by others

Hyattsville Flash Mob: 152 views UMBC Flash Mob: 148 views Prince George’s County TV News Piece on Hyattsville Flash Mob: 167 views

70 Twibbons

A Twibbon is a transparent profile photo overlay that supports and increases exposure of a cause.

5

Publications and Awareness Items 2016 Campaign

Campaign Resources

27,897

Family Resource Kit

• Family Fact Sheets • Healthy Body & Mind Brochures • Resiliency Calendars • Booklists • Other Campaign resources

Awareness Items

19,165

• Wristbands • Posters • Pencils • Awareness Kits • Other awareness items

Educator Resource Kit

Resiliency Calendar

New in 2016 6

Celebrating Through Art: The First Lady’s Mental Health Awareness Youth Art Display

Recognizing the importance of mental health awareness and the expressive power of artistic pursuits, Maryland’s First Lady, Mrs. Yumi Hogan, and the Children’s Mental Health Matters! Campaign partnered with Maryland Department of Disabilities, the Maryland State Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Administration and the Maryland State Department of Education to invite the public to celebrate Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week with a youth art display and reception at the Lowe House Office Building in Annapolis. The project culminated with Celebrating Through Art: The First Lady’s Mental Health Awareness Youth Art Display. The event celebrated students’ artwork that was inspired by what makes them feel mentally happy, healthy and/or hopeful.

“Be yourself & the right people will love you for being you.”

The artwork of 48 students was on display

Event attendance:

Maryland First Lady Yumi Hogan served as the Honorary Chair of the 2016 CMHM! Campaign

150+ 7

Awareness Activities

School Champions and Community Partners were encouraged to hold events and activities centered around mental health awareness. Champions and Partners were given resources that provided activity ideas and specific instructions that made that made them easy to carry out. Participants were also free to design their own awareness activities and events, which lead to creative uses of resources and imagination.

In support of the Campaign, members of Boulevard Christian Church wore green on May 1st

Kennedy Krieger hosted many outreach events across the state including a resource table at a Rita’s Italian Ice, Firehouse Coffee, & the Kennedy Krieger ROAR for Kids 5K.

Key Point Health Services Children who attend treatment at the outpatient mental health clinics made stress balls and glittery “calm down” jars to promote positive mental health coping skills. The playrooms in the clinics were also decorated in green, had children’s mental health facts posted, and had resources available.

Throughout the month of May, awareness tables were hosted in schools and communities all across Maryland. The tables were present at awareness events, popular public places, festivals, museums, health fairs, school lunches, and more. They served as a resource for the public to freely access Campaign materials and learn more about the importance of children’s mental health.

Children’s Mental Health Matters! booth at the B’More Healthy Expo

8

School Champions Events Gratitude Banners at Edward Felegey Elementary School, Rosa L. Parks Elementary School & Hyattsville Elementary School rd Every 3 grade student in the three elementary schools participated in creating a Gratitude Banner. The banners were presented to the Mayor & City Council of Hyattsville and placed on display in city hall. The city also displayed a colorful banner celebrating CMHM! week, provided materials and read a proclamation at a city council meeting in May.

Foundation School Largo Campus Students and staff wore green during awareness week to shine a light on the importance of children’s mental health!

Movie night at William Paca Elementary School

Steps for Hope Walk & Fun Run at Glen Burnie High School Glen Burnie High School held the Steps for Hope Walk/ Fun Run community event for suicide prevention. At the event, students and teachers shared information regarding suicide prevention and provided handouts from the Children’s Mental Health Matters! Campaign.

Parkville High School Each day during Awareness week, students at Parkville High School heard announcements about their mental health. Students signed a pledge to end mental health stigma, wore bracelets to increase awareness, and learned stress reducing techniques in preparation for final exams. They were able to listen to a video about what living with a mental illness is like and discussed how stigma can increase depression and anxiety. In their cafeteria, a “Wall of Affirmation” was available for the students to post positive self talk.

9

Flash Mobs Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week was celebrated with two flash mobs in which community members were invited to learn a group dance from a YouTube video and perform the dance to raise awareness in high-traffic areas. Both flash mobs attracted public attention and generated interest in children’s mental health.

University of Maryland, Baltimore County The Maryland Early Intervention Program hosted a flash mob where over 50 people joined together to dance and raise awareness for mental health in the center of campus.

Hyattsville Prince George’s County School Psychologists’ Association and Nonprofit Prince George’s County celebrated children’s mental health awareness week by hosting a flash mob

at The Shoppes in the Art District. The event’s reach was notably large between its participation turnout and media coverage in Hyattsville.

“It’s important to recognize and bring attention to the overall emotional wellness of our youth.

There are things we can all do.”

- Participants

Prince George’s County TV provided

coverage of the flash mob in an evening news segment. During the segment, children and adults were interviewed about the importance of children’s mental health awareness

10

Mental Health & Me Panels Discussion panels were held at University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) and University of Maryland during awareness week. Both offered insight into the lives of young adults, as the participants shared their stories in order to connect with other students and spark dialogue around mental health.

Mental Health & Me: A panel of UMBC

students shared their personal stories regarding psychiatric labeling, disclosing to friends and family, and navigating support both on and off campus. The young adults also explored what it’s like to have mental health needs while in college and young adulthood. Panel members discussed their work with mental health advocacy and the event concluded with a discussion shaped by questions from audience members.

“It’s important to accept where you are. I have illnesses I'm dealing with.”

“Mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of.”

“

“Self advocate.

Never stop looking for the treatment or therapy that works for you.”

UMD, College Park Students Share Stories: Navigating College with Mental Health Challenges

When I was younger I used to be ashamed of my anxiety, but I’ve come to accept it. It’s what makes me, me.

”

11

Post-Campaign Reflections Following Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week, all participant coordinators were invited to complete an online survey that asked for results and reviews of different aspects of their experience with the Campaign. Their responses were analyzed and some were contacted further to learn more.

Between these two inquiries, we were able to gather helpful feedback that will enable us to make Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week even more impactful in coming years.

Our Walk & Fun Run encouraged connecting with others, participation in healthy physical activities & volunteering as ways to promote resiliency & good mental health.

Working with students & teachers who experience mental health issues has made this extremely personal for me this year. The impact is powerful for many in our school & I think that bringing this topic to the forefront has showed others that it’s okay to talk about this & support those who struggle.

83%

of Partners used Campaign resources by sharing with colleagues or on a social media platform

12

“It has personally provided me with the extra steam I need to keep advocating for our children.”

Because of the Campaign impact, there has been more dialogue, decreased stigma and more student engagement with the children & families we serve.

Our theme was #knightsbringlight Our school mascot is a knight & our goal was to shed light on mental health issues among teens.”

90%

of School Champions & Partners plan on partnering with the Campaign in the future.

[The Campaign] “has greatly changed my focus to a more global awareness raising effort, one that I think is desperately needed.”

“Mental health awareness is important. We had a teacher this year who suffered from major mental health issues that impacted the entire school. I felt that it was important for my faculty & staff to be aware that it is prevalent in children as well.”

1301 York Road, Suite 505 Lutherville, MD 21093 443.901.1550 | www.mhamd.org

10632 Little Patuxent Parkway, Suite 234 Columbia, MD 21044 410.730.8267 | www.mdcoalition.org

Children’s Mental Health Matters!

The Children’s Mental Health Matters! Campaign is a collaboration of the Mental Health Association of Maryland and the Maryland Coalition of Families with support from the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene - Behavioral Health Administration.

The Campaign goal, with over 250 partners and schools across the state, is to raise public awareness of the importance of children’s mental health.

WWW.CHILDRENSMENTALHEALTHMATTERS.ORG