For children and teenagers in Calvert County, substance use and mental health are big health concerns. The 2023-2025 CalvertHealth Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) and the 2024 Calvert County Family Network (CCFN) Community Assessment for Child Well-Being highlight the importance of more resources and support in these areas.
Through these reports, its shown that many young people in Calvert are experiencing mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and stress. According to CCFN data, feelings of sadness or hopelessness across middle and high school students have increased year after year since 2014, and so have suicidal thoughts within high schoolers.
“I think kids have had a really tough time the past couple of years and because we don’t have enough workforce to meet their behavioral health needs, I think that puts them in a particularly vulnerable position right now and they are kids, so they’re always vulnerable,” said one key informant.
The CHNA brings to light how high wait times for mental health treatments and a lack of specialists are significant challenges for families attempting to get treatment.
“With kids right now, there is not a provider accepting new children for therapy in Calvert County because there are not enough therapists to serve them. Everybody’s full and has wait lists,” said another key informant. “That’s concerning because with kids, if you leave something to linger, it can actually get big enough to become a problem, as opposed to nipping it when someone’s young and getting them right into short-term treatment, they can sort of help them to meet their needs.”
Adolescent substance use, including alcohol, tobacco, and vaping, is being highlighted as a problem in Calvert as well. The CCFN reports that even though the usage of these substances has been decreasing, marijuana is still the most frequently used substance and is most likely to lead to juvenile offenses. The CCFN assessment also pointed out a need for more programs to educate students and parents about the risks of substance misuse.
To address these issues, the county must improve access to care, provide more education, remove the stigma associated with receiving help, and involve the community. Both reports highlight solutions like school-based mental health programs and telehealth services, while also having mobile health units that can provide quick help to people in need. Education programs in schools and community lectures for parents and children about raising awareness about mental health and the consequences of substance use. Reducing stigma through local efforts and educating families on warning indicators. Improving support systems, such as expanding counseling services and peer mentorship programs, that can provide emotional and behavioral help. Additionally, involvement in the community through events, resources, and collaborations with local groups that will provide families with the resources they need to help these kids succeed.
If you or someone you know needs help, or if you want more information on these topics, local organizations such as CalvertHealth can provide important resources.