Montgomery County Council

Supporting Mental Health: A Council Virtual Town Hall Meeting

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the lives of our residents in many ways. Losing loved ones, housing and economic difficulties and educational interruptions, have altered all our lives for the last two years and these sustained stressors can lead to mental and physical health issues. Moreover, the social isolation caused by the pandemic has increased mental health challenges for our young people, family members, and older residents across our community.

Mental health issues in our community are complex and challenging; but, by coming together we can increase our understanding of the issues faced across our community and work together on tangible actions to make a difference for our residents and our outstanding community partners that are focused on mental health and wellness.

On  March 1, 2022 from 7-9 p.m., the Council held a virtual town hall for residents to learn about mental health resources in our community and provide a space for residents to share their views and suggestions.The Montgomery County Council held this town hall as part of its continued interest to hear from a diverse group of residents about the topic of mental health, with the goal of gathering information and better understanding what resources and programs may be of greatest value to our residents.

The Council regularly meets as the Board of Health, and will be reviewing the needs expressed by residents, providers and other community members over the next few months as part of its upcoming deliberations on the County’s operating budget.

At the town hall, the Council received feedback from Montgomery County residents about mental health issues and services in order to continue working together to improve the following:

• Breaking down misperceptions about mental health issues and promote recovery and a healthy community;
• Finding innovative community-based solutions to mental health needs;
• Developing clear steps for our community to address mental health needs that complements existing government services and the outstanding work of our existing community partners.

Questionnaire

We want to hear from you. Please complete the questionnaire below to provide the Council with feedback on your mental health experiences during the pandemic and whether you received any assistance from the County. Neither your name nor any other identifiable information will be requested.

Didn't get a chance to join the town hall, or would like to provide additional feedback? 

Available Resources for Residents

Montgomery County Crisis Center

Free, crisis mental health services are available 24 hours a day. Services are provided in person at 1301 Piccard Dr., Rockville, MD 20850 and by phone at 240-777-4000.

Montgomery County Family Justice Center

Provides services to families impacted by domestic violence.  The center is open Mon-Fri from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is located at 600 Jefferson Plaza Suite #500, Rockville, MD 20852. In person walk-ins are welcomed with no need for an appointment. Contact the center by phone at 240-773-0444 (After Hours: 240-777-4000) or by email [email protected].

Montgomery County Hotline EveryMind

Phone, text and chat call specialists are available 24/7 to listen and provide support. This service is free and open to all members of our community. You do not have to be in crisis to connect. The Montgomery County Hotline is 301-738-2255 (Text or Call). Located at 1000 Twinbrook Parkway Rockville, MD 20851. Chat with EveryMind.

View EveryMind Presentation Ver la presentación de EveryMind

Identity, Inc. ( información en español)

Encounters: Free, nonclinical community mental health groups in Spanish to help young people and families manage stress, anxiety and grief related to trauma. Most groups meet virtually. Contact Mónica Wainbarg – 240-750-3101;  [email protected]
Encuentros: Grupos comunitarios de salud mental no clínicos en español gratuitos, para ayudar a los jóvenes y las familias a manejar el estrés, la ansiedad y el duelo relacionados con el trauma. La mayoría de los grupos se reúnen virtualmente. Contacto Monica Wainbarg – 240-750-3101;  mwainbarg@identity- youth.org  
Family Reunification: Free, non-clinical emotional support groups in Spanish for families reuniting after long periods of separation due to immigration. Contact Tomás Rodríguez – 240-306-7188;  [email protected]
Reunificación Familiar: Grupos de apoyo emocional gratuitos y no clínicos en español para familias que se reúnen después de largos períodos de separación debido a la inmigración. Contacto Tomás Rodríguez – 240-306-7188;  [email protected]

National Suicide Prevention Helpline

A national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or in emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week using helpline 800-273-TALK (8255).

Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans Crisis Line

A free, confidential service provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs that connects Veterans and service members in crisis and those concerned about them (i.e., family members and friends) with qualified responders.  Communication with a responder may occur via phone, text, or chat, and is available every day, 24/7 by calling 800-273-8255, then press "1" or send a text to 838255. Chat with Veterans Crisis Line.

Montgomery County Department of Health & Human Services Street Outreach Network

The mission of the Street Outreach Network is to prevent, neutralize, and control hostile behavior in high risk youth and youth gangs through the development of positive relationships between youth/community stakeholders and the outreach workers. The outreach worker will utilize positive youth development programs and leisure time activities as the intervening vehicle for redirecting antisocial and aggressive behaviors. Call 240-777-1264.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) - Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator

The National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and in Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.

The Treatment Services Locator is a confidential and anonymous source of information for persons seeking treatment facilities in the US or US territories for substance abuse, addictions, or mental health problems. Find treatment facilities confidentially and anonymously.

Disaster Distress Helpline

The helpline offers 24/7 emotional support and crisis counseling for anyone experiencing distress or other mental health concerns related to the COVID-19 outbreak. Calls and texts are answered by trained counselors who will listen to the caller's concerns, explore coping and other available supports, and offer referrals to community resources for follow-up care and support. SAMSHA is located at 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857, and can be contacted at 800-986-5990 or by texting "TALKWITHUS" to 66746

Crisis Text Line

A service that allows people in crisis to interact with a trained crisis counselor by text. Text "START" or "HELP" to 741741.

American Psychological Association (APA) Therapist Locator

The locator allows individuals to search for a psychologist to provide clinical services.

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) ( vea información en español aquí)

If you or someone you know needs help, contact the NAMI HelpLine can be reached Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., EST by calling 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or emailing 

También hay servicios disponibles en español para la comunidad latina.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness of Montgomery County (NAMI MC) 

The National Alliance on Mental Illness of Montgomery County (NAMI MC) provides support, education, public awareness, and advocacy so that all individuals and families affected by mental illness can build better lives. We provide programs free of cost for individuals living with a mental health condition and for family members, friends, and caregivers of someone living with a mental illness. 

NAMI MC programs offer peer support led by trained volunteers with lived experience with a mental health condition. Our free programs include Support Groups, Classes, Presentations, and a Resource Helpline. The NAMI MC Resource Helpline is toll-free and helps you navigate your mental health resource options.  

The Helpline is open Monday – Friday from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. EST and can be reached by calling 301-949-5852.

Parent Encouragement Program (PEP)

PEP is a nonprofit organization that provides programs and resources to parents and caregivers to strengthen their relationship with their children, alleviate family stress, and build child resiliency. PEP has  free webinars and video workshops as well as support-group style programs in Spanish and in English. For more information contact Missy Cochran at [email protected] (English) or Gabriela Cordero, gabriela.cordero.pepparent.org (Spanish) or call 301-929-8824. 

PEP es una organización sin fines de lucro, que brinda a madres, padres y tutores, talleres para fortalecer la relación con sus hijos, aliviar el estrés en las relaciones intrafamiliares y desarrollar la resiliencia infantil. En esfuerzo conjunto con otras organizaciones y escuelas, PEP imparte una amplia serie de talleres presenciales y en línea, gratuitos a madres y padres de la comunidad latina. También ofrece un catálogo de materiales audiovisuales que son recursos útiles para las familias. Para obtener más información, comuníquese con Missy Cochran en  [email protected] (inglés) o Gabriela Cordero, gabriela.cordero.pepparent.org (español) o llame al 301-929-8824.