Results Statement: Mental health is improved across the lifespan, and access to appropriate, quality mental health services is assured.

Healthy People 2010 defines mental health as a "state of successful performance of mental function, resulting in productive activities, fulfilling relationships with other people, and the ability to adapt to change and cope with adversity." A mentally healthy community is indicated by many factors, such as:

• low suicide attempt rates;
• increased number of residents whose insurance covers mental health services;
• adequate inpatient, outpatient, residential, and crisis service providers for all ages, and
• a decrease in the stigma associated with mental illness and emotional disturbances.

Maryland State Law requires a multi-agency, community-based “Behavioral Health and Addictions Committee” in all jurisdictions to monitor trends and coordinate actions in this regard. Through an M.O.U. their Mental Health subcommittee has agreed to serve simultaneously as The Partnership’s leadership team for this Core Health Improvement Area. The benefits of this arrangement are efficiency and the assurance of connectivity and consistency with state and national benchmarks…a win-win for all. 

Partnership Staff Contact:
Laurie Hegg
410-876-4818
LHegg@dhmh.state.md.us

Click on the organizational chart items to view the details of each.

Mental Health Leadership Team

The Mental Health Subcommittee of the Carroll County Behavioral Health and Addictions Council (BHAAC) serves as The Partnership’s Leadership Team for the area of Mental Health. It is composed of individuals representing mental health providers, advocates, consumers and family members. The Mental Health Subcommittee was created to serve as an advocate for a comprehensive mental health system for persons of all ages, to monitor, review and evaluate the allocation of publicly-funded mental health services in Carroll County, and to determine the needs of the Carroll County Mental Health System.

Over the years, the Mental Health Subcommittee / Leadership Team has become a mutual education group, and has touched on challenges posed by continuum of care, lack of professionals, transportation, the State of Maryland’s system transformation process, access to services, medication access, and follow-up on detention center discharges.

This group usually meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 3:00 p.m. at the Carroll County Health Department.

Mental Health Vital Signs Action Team

The Mental Health Leadership Team has created an action team to determine measurable, objective indicators of mental health in our community, and use indicator data to help form strategies that work toward our goals in this area. This Team will use as a reference the mental health indicators in Healthy People 2010.

Links

Carroll County Core Service Agency Directory of Mental Health Providers in Carroll County
Directory of Community Services for Carroll County
Focus Adolescent Services
Get Connected Family Resource Center
Healthy People 2010 - Mental Health
National Institute of Mental Health
NotMyKid
Stop a Suicide Today
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Campaign

Page updated: 12/09