Prince George’s County is Taking a “Step Forward” for Mental Health

mental-health-2019924_1280 (1)Prince George’s County launched the Step Forward Program in acknowledgment of Mental Health Awareness Month Monday, May 14, 2018. County Executive Rushern L. Baker, III, and the county’s Health Department are hoping this campaign will help to reduce some sigma often associated with mental illness and treatment.

The campaign launched at 12:30 pm at the Kentland Community Center in Landover, MD.

County Executive Baker said in a Prince George’s press release:

Ensuring that children and families are more aware of mental health issues and the resources available to address them is important. We have to erase the stigma that is associated with seeking help in our communities, so our residents view getting professional help for their mental health as important as getting help for their physical health. This campaign is about ensuring that our residents, including our young people, understand that they are not alone and that there are resources out there to assist them.

Program Staff:

  • The Honorable Rushern L. Baker, County Executive, Prince George’s County; Member, MACo’s Board of Directors
  • Betty Hager Francis,  Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Health, Human Services and Education, Office of County Executive Rushern L. Baker, III
  • Pamela Creekmur, Health Officer, Prince George’s County
  • Gwendolyn J. Mason, Ed.D., Associate Superintendent, Office of Special Education and Student Services, Prince George’s County Public Schools
  • Dr. Jacquelyn Duval-Harvey, Deputy Health Officer, Prince George’s County
  • Stephen Liggett-Creel, Chief of Staff, Prince George’s County Department of Social
    Services
  • Collette Harris, Executive Director, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Prince George’s County

The county will continue to publish advertisements and partner with Crisis Text Line throughout the month to provide residents with information about mental health and treatment options.

For more information, contact:

Dellia Hawthorne-Williams, Public Information Officer for Prince George’s County Health Department

301.883.7835