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Some states disenrolled so many children that they had fewer enrolled than prior to the pandemic. (Adobe Stock)

Monday, May 6, 2024

Report: Millions disenrolled from CHIP nationwide

As pandemic-era protections were lifted a new report showed the number of children on Medicaid has varied widely between states, with Maryland doing …

The bill would offer minors covered by Medicaid access to individual, group and family therapy. (Adobe Stock)

Bill would provide behavioral health services to MD minors without diagnosis

The General Assembly is considering a bill to expand access to behavioral health services to Marylanders younger than 18. This afternoon, the Senate …

Insurers would be prohibited from charging for access to the online real-time benefits system. (Adobe Stock)

MD Assembly considers reforms to health-insurance coverage

Committees in both chambers of the General Assembly are hearing testimony on a measure to change how health insurance companies in Maryland make treat…

The report found the number of Americans with diabetes was nearly 32 million, an 11% increase over last year. (Adobe Stock)

Maryland ranks 11th in nation in new health report

A new report by the United Health Foundation shows some good news in Maryland along with concerning trends in chronic conditions. The America's …

The new Kids Count Data Book indicates 54% of 3- and 4-year-olds in Maryland were not enrolled in preschool programs between 2017 and 2021. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Maryland Ranks 21st for Child Well-being

The new Kids Count Data Book found the child care system still struggling in the wake of the pandemic. The Annie E. Casey Foundation report showed …

The Williams Institute estimates that 1.3 million U.S. adults identify as transgender. (Adobe Stock)

MD House and Senate Approve Trans Health Equity Act

Both chambers of the Maryland legislature have passed a bill that would require the state's Medicaid program to cover gender affirming care. While …

Estimates indicate 8.6% of children in Maryland will be bereaved by age 18, which is higher than the national average of 7.7%. (Adobe Stock)

Conference in Baltimore to Focus on Childhood Grief

Knowing how to hold space for the grief of children can be complex, but learning how to do it is vital for their well-being. A death in the family …

If enacted, the pilot program would begin on July 1. (Adobe Stock)

MD Legislature Considers Four-Day Workweek Pilot Program

A bill in the Maryland Legislature would create a pilot program to study the impact of a four-day workweek. The pilot program would create a tax …

Maryland's Broadband Expansion Incentive Act has 74 cosponsors, including a dozen House Republicans. (Adobe Stock)

MD Legislature Considers Broadband Expansion

The Maryland Legislature is looking at ways to expand broadband access in the state and advocates are weighing in. Gov. Wes Moore's broadband …

Experts say school-based grief groups are a good way for grieving students to learn coping skills. (Adobe Stock)

Supporting Students Through the Grief Process

Knowing how to approach the grief of others can be difficult, although things can get more complicated when addressing the grief of students in …

5.2 million older Americans were considered food-insecure in 2020, according to the nonprofit Feeding America. That's about one in 15 people. (Adobe Stock)">

AARP Maryland Sets 2023 Legislative Priorities

AARP Maryland has just released its legislative priority list for the coming year, with health and consumer protection issues topping the list…

Research suggests observing bullying also can lead to adverse mental-health outcomes. (Waseem Ali Khan/Adobe Stock)

Bullying Prevention Month Brings Awareness to Victims, Perpetrators

October is National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month and experts are reminding Marylanders to be aware of the patterns within bullying. The …

The National Alliance on Mental Illness reports one in five adults says the pandemic has had a

MD Focuses on Mental Health for Depression Screening Day

With many people still struggling in the wake of the pandemic, this week's National Depression Screening Day is a reminder to Marylanders to take …

Data from a national survey of adults found that excessive drinking increased 21% during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Adobe Stock)

Sober October Highlights Health Benefits and Raising Money for Charity

Marylanders who want a new health challenge can participate in Sober October, which -- in addition to the sobriety pledge -- offers the chance to …

As estimated 143,000 young people in Maryland say they struggle to make it through the day. (Adobe Stock)

Annual Report Issues Calls for Action on Youth Mental-Health Crisis

An annual snapshot of child well-being is highlighting the urgent need to address youth mental-health in Maryland and other states. The 2022 Kids …

More than 1,000 young people were incarcerated in a Maryland youth detention center in 2021. (Adobe Stock)

Report Reveals Claims of Youth Crime Wave Unfounded

New research has found reports of skyrocketing youth crime are not only unfounded, but are fueling calls for stricter punishments. Data from the …

The StrongerMemory program material is free to the public and can be downloaded at https://goodwinhouse.org/stronger-memory. (Adobe Stock)

MD Launches Brain Health Program for Older Adults

Maryland has launched a brain-health program in senior centers aimed at helping older adults experiencing memory loss. Called StrongerMemory…

Multiracial bachelor's and associate degree students were the most likely of all racial and ethnic groups to report it was very difficult to remain enrolled in school in the fall of 2021, the report found. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Emotional Stress a Pandemic Challenge for College Students

Current and prospective college students in Maryland and beyond are struggling with pandemic-related disruptions which can jeopardize their studies…

Research shows that unaddressed childhood grief and trauma can lead to decreased academic performance, mental-health issues and early mortality. (Adobe Stock)

'No Child Grieves Alone': MD Conference Highlights Bereavement Support

The last two years have been devastating for children during the pandemic, dealing with isolation along with losing loved ones. A conference held in …

In a new survey of HBCU students, 55% reported their housing situation was not secure at some point in the last year. (Adobe Stock)

Report: HBCU Students Face Obstacles to Meeting Basic Needs

The pandemic's lingering effects are being felt by some college students struggling to make it to graduation. A new report focuses on the barriers …

During the pandemic, more than 20% of U.S. parents with children ages 5-12 reported their children experienced worsened mental or emotional health, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation report. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Mental Health in Spotlight as MD K-12 Schools Reopen

BALTIMORE, Md. -- As Maryland children prepare to return to school in the next few weeks, experts say ensuring their mental health is stable is a top …

The number of Maryland fourth graders who were not proficient in reading increased to 65% in 2019, according to a new report. (Adobe stock)

Report: MD Lawmakers Need to Keep Spotlight on Child Well-Being

BALTIMORE -- Advocates said Maryland lawmakers need to focus more than ever on helping children, as a new report shows the state dropped from 21st in …

Chronic gambling is now classified as a mental health disorder instead of an impulse control disorder, according to the Maryland Center for Excellence and Problem Gambling.

Group Offers Problem Gambling Tips With Passage of MD Sports Betting

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- With Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan about to sign a new law that legalizes sports betting in the state, a support group for people with …

Older adults experiencing loneliness have a 32% increased risk of stroke, according to CDC studies. (Adobe stock)

Online Tool Helps Ease Holiday Loneliness for Older Adults

BALTIMORE - Pandemic isolation may make this holiday season even lonelier than usual for older adults who struggle with solitude, but an online tool …

A new report finds 20% of Maryland families with children say they have little or no confidence they would be able to pay their rent or mortgage on time. (Adobe stock)

Report: MD Kids Face Dire Consequences During Pandemic

BALTIMORE, Md. -- With Congress still wrangling over a COVID-19 stimulus package, a new report shows America's children are suffering dire …

A new report on the nation's health shows more Americans received their recommended flu vaccinations by 2019 but rates remain lower than federal targets. (Adobe stock)

Report: MD 10th Best in Health, But With Racial Disparities

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- While the pandemic has made health outcomes worse, a new report shows before the COVID crisis, Maryland ranked first in the nation …

Experts advise using compassion if the conversation veers into difficult political topics around this year's holiday dinner table. (Adobe Stock)

How to Have Tough Holiday Talks about Misinformation

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Holiday conversations can be stressful, especially in a year filled with misinformation and disinformation about the election…

New videos and an online tool helps support dementia patients with choosing their medical treatment if they come down with a terminal illness. (Adobe stock)

For World Alzheimer’s Day, Patients Get Help with End-of-Life Care

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- To mark World Alzheimer's day today, a new online planning tool is launching that helps people decide end-of-life care wishes in …

In a survey by UnitedHealthcare, more than 50% of respondents said walking is their preferred way to exercise. (Adobe stock)<br />

Move More Month: Walk to Stay Active During Pandemic

ANNAPOLIS -- Even though Marylanders are housebound because of the coronavirus pandemic, health experts say getting out for a stroll is something …

The National Alliance on Mental Illness formed a partnership with Instagram to help support the mental health of young people during the pandemic. (Adobe stock)

NAMI Partners with Instagram to Boost Mental Health During COVID-19

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- With the COVID-19 pandemic forcing folks to cope with loneliness, job loss and grief, the National Alliance on Mental Illness is …

Many prison-reform groups say solitary confinement is torture while corrections officials say it's a valuable safety tool. (Adobe stock)

MD Bills Seen as First Step to Ending Solitary Confinement

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Addressing concerns over the impact of solitary confinement, Maryland lawmakers are looking at two bills introduced this week aimed …

Maryland expects to reduce its backlog of 6,500 untested rape kits within five years. (Ellsworth Air Force Base)

MD to Crack Rape Kit Backlog with New Law, Funds

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Millions of dollars are set to help police departments in Maryland process thousands of rape kits that have sat untested in …

Fewer than 40% of U.S. workers have short-term paid leave, according to a poll by Opinion Works. (Adobe stock)

As Caregivers Enter Stressful Holidays, MD Leave Bill to Ease Burden

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – America is facing a caregiving crisis with more than 40 million people providing uncompensated care for relatives every year…

Amnesty International�s new report on compensating gunshot victims says gun violence in the U.S. is a human rights crisis, and that survivors and families need effective reparations. (Adobe Stock)

Report: MD Gunshot Survivors Need Outreach, Support

BALTIMORE – Survivors of firearm violence in Maryland, and their families, aren't getting the support they need to cope with their recovery and …

Tips for fighting stress during the holidays include exercising and getting sleep. (Pixabay/skeeze)

Experts: Watch Your Heart Over the Holidays, Avoid Stress

ROCKVILLE, Md. — Research from the American Heart Association says cardiac mortality is highest during December and January. Doctors point to …

A report by the Movement Advancement Project shows how preemption laws can limit local progress and threatens LGBT people. (Pixabay)

Report: Preemption Laws May Undermine LGBT Equality

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — While cities and counties are trying to pass their own nondiscrimination ordinances, a new report shows how some states use …

The Maryland Healthy Working Families Act also requires that businesses that employ 14 or fewer employees provide unpaid sick and safe leave for certain employees. (William Brawley/Flickr)

Mandatory Paid Sick Leave Takes Effect in Maryland

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — A new law requiring many Maryland employers to provide paid sick leave has officially gone into effect, despite Gov. Larry …

Parents can help children overcome anxiety that comes with the start of the school year. (Victoria Jordan)

Some Kids Stress Out Over the New School Year

ANNAPOLIS, Md. - The start of another school year, just a couple weeks away, can trigger some anxiety among younger students, but there are things …

In Maryland, the number of deaths due to opioids jumped from almost 1,100 in 2015 to more than 1,800 last year. (V. Carter)

Punishment Not the Key to Preventing Overdoses

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — President Donald Trump is vowing to take a law-and-order approach to combating the nation's worsening opioid epidemic…

Familiar music brings out powerful emotions in people, and is one reason crowds still flock to see the bands they remember from their teen years. (nih.gov)

Music as Summertime Therapy

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- For many people, summer means concert season - as bands and other musical acts hit the road and people flock to see them - even …

Americans are feeling more stress now at work than they did before the presidential election. (cdc.gov)

Political Rancor Ramps Up Workplace Stress

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Months after the presidential election, political animosity lingers at workplaces across the country. The American Psychological …

Downed trees found in old-growth forests put valuable nutrients back into the soil. (Virginia Carter)

Maryland-Based Group Tries to Preserve the Nation's Forests

EASTON, Md. – An effort is underway to designate an old-growth forest in every county in the United States that has forestland. Maryland's …

Any relationship other than heterosexual is still taboo in many U.S schools, according to a new survey. (cdc.gov)

Survey: For LGBTQ Students, U.S. Schools Still "Hostile"

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Schools that take steps to reduce bullying and provide other supports for their LGBTQ students are seeing better education …

Healthy resolutions are popular for New Year's, but keeping them aren't necessarily easy. (cdc.gov)

New Year Brings Vows to Live Healthy

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – About 4 in 10 people make New Year's resolutions, but only a tiny fraction actually keep them. The top pledges center around …

Holiday time means extra time to spend with the kids. (Cassie Underwood)

Holiday Break Means Quality Time with the Kids

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – By now, kids across Maryland may be going a little stir-crazy from the holiday break - and parents may be counting the days …

Stressed out by the holidays? Experts say eat properly and get some exercise. (cdc.gov)

Holiday Stress Can Lead to Illness

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – At this time of the year, many people focus on parties, family activities and gift giving, but all of that holiday fun can …

Family gatherings and holiday parties could quickly go downhill this year, as emotions continue to run high post-election. (woodvillage.or.us)

Social Gatherings Need Healthy Debate

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – "We respectfully agree to disagree" may be the mantra heard at office parties, family events and faith-based celebrations …

It's Veterans Day, and veterans' advocates hope Donald Trump fulfills the promises he made to them on the campaign trail. (markpauljohn.com)

Maryland Vets Press Trump to Keep His Promises

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Maryland has nearly 50,000 active-duty members of the military, and one of the largest advocacy groups for veterans said now …

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MD: Mental Health