Hundreds Expected To Rally In Annapolis To Show Support for Behavioral Health At Keep The Door Open Rally

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WHEN:

Thursday, Feb. 27 at noon

WHERE:

Maryland Fire Rescue Services Memorial

Calvert & Bladen Streets, Annapolis, MD 21401

WHO:

Invited speakers and attendees:

Elected officials, including: Senator Guy Guzzone, D-13; Senator Malcolm Augustine, D-47; Senator Addie Eckardt, R-39; Senator Katie Fry Hester, D-9; and Delegate Heather Bagnall, D-33

Dan Martin, Maryland Behavioral Health Coalition

Nicole Acle, Wicomico County Council

Kevin Lindamood, Health Care for the Homeless

Nina Ovian,On Our Own of Maryland

Cari Cho, Community Behavioral Health

Vickie Walters, Maryland Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence

Katie Farinholt, NAMI Maryland

Daphne McClellan, National Association of Social Workers

Carlos Hardy, National Council on Alcoholism & Drug Dependence

WHAT:

The Maryland Behavioral Health Coalition will host concerned parents, children, families, advocates and supporters to urge lawmakers to support programs and funding for Marylanders living with mental health and substance use disorders.

Behavioral health encompasses the full range of both mental health and substance use disorders. More than 1 in 5 Marylanders will experience a mental health or substance use disorder in any given year. Over 300,000 Marylanders now rely on the state’s public behavioral health system. View the coalition’s full legislative platform here.

VISUAL:

Signage and interviews with lawmakers and advocates.

The Behavioral Health Coalition of Maryland is a diverse mix of more than 50 nonprofit organizations working together to ensure individuals affected by mental health and substance use disorders have high quality and accessible services for their needs. www.keepthedooropenmd.org