In addition to hosting continuing education seminars for mental health professionals, MHA actively reaches out to our community by providing mental health literature, offering mental wellness screenings, and regularly participating in community health & information fairs. If you are interested in obtaining literature or having an MHA representative attend your event, please contact Jessica Bunting at (301) 424-0656 or by email at jbunting@mhamc.org.
Kids on the Block is an educational puppet program that is geared toward students from ages 3 to 11. This program promotes mental health by offering puppet shows on social issues children face such as aggression, conflict resolution, bullying, peer pressure and substance abuse. These presentations engage children in problem solving strategies for challenges they may be facing and also encourages discussion during the show and afterward as follow-up. If your school or community group is interested in finding out more about Kids on the Block, or would like to schedule a performance, please contact Cassandra Redding at (240)449-7234, or by email at CRedding@mhamc.org. Interested in becoming a puppeteer?
Red Flags (“Identifying Red Flags in Adolescent Mental Health”) is a program designed to bring awareness about adolescent depression, its warning signs and the available resources to entire middle school and high school communities. The Red Flags program uses a three-pronged approach to educate and raise awareness about the warning signs of adolescent depression and suicide and provides community resources for when a student may need them. Participants in the program are 1) students (through Health Education classes in 8th and 10th grades), 2) parents and/or guardians and 3) school staff members in their respective school communities. For more information please contact Miryan Gastañaga at (301) 424-0656 ext 130 or email at mgastanaga@mhamc.org.