MSDE Releases Resource Guide to Strengthen Student Mental Health

Offers Recommendations to Prevent Suicide; Human Trafficking

BALTIMORE – The Maryland State Department of Education has published a new resource guide featuring Mental Health and Wellness Programs across the State, and created two new websites to provide information to districts regarding youth suicide and human trafficking. These resources mark the first outcomes of a committee, launched to place a special focus on student mental health issues.

The 40-page resource guide, developed in collaboration with MSDE’s Division of Student, Family, and School Support, spotlights best practices in school mental health and wellness programs. The web pages provide information about prevention and intervention resources.

The MSDE Mental Health Committee began meeting in June 2016 to explore student mental health issues, which had emerged as a concern for many board members. Through the efforts of the committee, a new spotlight has been placed on the issues of teen suicide and human trafficking. Committee members met with various State partners to study these mental health issues and develop recommendations for the State Board and MSDE.

State Board President Andy Smarick thanked the committee for advancing the valuable work in conjunction with MSDE’s leadership and staff. “The Board appreciates the leadership of Board members Stephanie Iszard and Dr. Michele Guyton,” President Smarick added. “With Dr. Salmon and the MSDE team, they’ve helped shine a light on important issues and made resources available to Maryland’s educators, families, and students.”

Committee members plan to bring recommendations for State policy before the Board in the coming months.

The new resource guide is available on the Youth Suicide Prevention page at:
http://www.marylandpublicschools.org/about/Pages/DSFSS/SSSP/Suicide/index.aspx

The new Child Abuse, Neglect and Human Trafficking page can be found at:
http://marylandpublicschools.org/about/Pages/DSFSS/SSSP/CAN-HT/index.aspx