Maryland mental health advocates urge leaders to preserve funding

NAMI Maryland and other advocates will go to Annapolis for Advocacy Day on February 10 to ask lawmakers to protect state funding after the proposed FY27 budget included a reduction for the Consortium on Coordinated Community Supports. NAMI’s executive director reported rising mental health needs among people of all ages.

NAMI Maryland and allied mental health advocates are traveling to Annapolis for Advocacy Day on February 10 to press state leaders to protect existing funding. The action follows a proposed FY27 budget that includes a reduction for the Consortium on Coordinated Community Supports. The Consortium is described as a resource families use for school and community-based mental health care. NAMI Maryland’s executive director, Stephanie Slowly Little, reported that the group is seeing alarming rates of people of all ages struggling with mental health amid economic stressors. What is known: - NAMI Maryland will hold Advocacy Day in Annapolis on February 10 to ask leaders to protect state funding. - The proposed FY27 state budget includes a reduction in funding for the Consortium on Coordinated Community Supports. - The Consortium is described as providing school and community-based mental health care relied on by families across Maryland. - NAMI Maryland Executive Director Stephanie Slowly Little reported rising rates of mental health needs among people of all ages. - Advocates plan to return to the state house for the first time in more than five years. Summary: Advocates say the proposed funding reduction would affect resources used for school and community mental health care. The immediate next step is NAMI Advocacy Day on February 10, when advocates plan to meet with legislators in Annapolis. Officials report increasing mental health needs among Marylanders.