Mission

The MDAAP Mental Health Committee’s mission promotes children’s social-emotional health, mental health screenings, assessment, treatment and referral of children with pediatric mental health disorders. 

Educational Mission

• Use evidence-based practices to implement educational programs aimed at increasing mental health screening at well visits
• Support pediatricians with resources on assessment and treatment for common mental health disorders
• Provide family resources for common mental health disorders

Vision

All Maryland children will have timely access to evidence-based mental health assessment and treatment.

Advocacy Mission 

• Advocate for timely access to mental health assessment and treatment
• Partner with local and state programs that serve the mental health needs of youth

Practice Resources

• MD BHIPP program (Maryland Behavioral Health Integration in Pediatric Primary Care)
• AAP Blueprint for Youth Suicide Prevention
• #MentalHealthMattersAAP YouTube short videos for parents and teens
• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
• NAMI Maryland
• If you or your patient needs resources call or text 988 or live chat at https://988lifeline.org
• Pediatrician Training on Lethal Means Reduction: C.A.L.M. training from AAP
• Children’s Mental Health Matters

Safety-Assessments and Plan Creation

• Brief Suicide Safety Assessment (NIH)
• SAFE-T Card
• Safety Plan Form
• Electronic safety plan

Parent Resources

• What to Do if You’re Worried About Your Teen’s Mental Health (Jed Foundation)
• Ask Listen Learn Parent handouts and videos about how to discuss alcohol and cannabis with kids
• A Parent’s Guide to Talking to a Teen about Suicide Prevention (MDH video)
• A Parent’s Guide to Talking to a Teen about Suicide Prevention (Spanish MDAAP video)
• #MentalHealthMattersAAP AAP produced YouTube short videos for parents and teens on Mental Health
• Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide Parent Site
• Parent Guide to a Safety Plan and Home Safety (Nationwide Children’s Hospital)
• Firearm Safety and Injury Prevention (MT AAP)
• Trigger Lock Firearm Safety Brochure (MT AAP)
• Maryland Gun Storage Safety map (Marylanders to Prevent Gun Violence)
• Medication Safety Handout (Jed Foundation)
• Medication Safety Website (Lock Your Meds)
• Children’s Mental Health Matters

Black Mental Health Resources

• Black Mental Health Alliance This website provides information and resources. There is also the option to “Find a Therapist”.
• Therapy for Black Kids
• Therapy for Black Girls This is an online space which encourages the mental wellness of Black women and girls. There is a therapist directory where individuals can look for a therapist. They also have a podcast which discusses different mental health topics. 
• Therapy for Black Men Similar to Therapy for Black Girls, Therapy for Black Men is an online space which encourages mental wellness for Black men with a therapist directory within their website.