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TOPICS

  • Mental Wellness
  • Coping with Stress
  • School and Community Resources
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2024 Mental Health Awareness Week Message from Dr. Thomas Taylor

Mental Health Awareness Week

Oct. 21–Oct. 26, 2024


Let’s end the stigma. Let’s talk about mental health.

Inviting all community members

The Office of School Support and Well-Being and the Montgomery County School Psychologists’ Association will co-host the 2024 Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW), from October 21, 2024 to October 26, 2024.

The Mental Health Resource Fair will be held on:
Saturday, October 26, 2024
from 10:00 am-2:00 pm at Seneca Valley High School
19401 Crystal Rock Dr
Germantown, MD 20874

The event is open to students, families, and staff and will include MCPS and community partners sharing information about mental health and wellness; as well as a student-lead forum focusing on issues impacting Montgomery County youth. Students may earn Student Service Learning hours for participation in the Resource Fair.

RSVP for the Resource Fair & Student Forum

MCPS Shuttle service schedule for Mental Health Awareness Fair at Seneca Valley HS on Saturday October 26th, 2024:

From School Time Leave To the Site Arrival @ Site Departure site Arrival
Blair HS 9:20 Seneca Valley HS 10:00 2:00 2:30
Kennedy HS/ Wheaton HS 9:20/ 9:25 Seneca Valley HS 10:00 2:00 2:25/ 2:30
Paint Branch HS 9:20 Seneca Valley HS 10:00 2:00 2:30
Gaithersburg HS 9:20 Seneca Valley HS 10:00 2:00 2:30
Richard Montgomery HS 9:20 Seneca Valley HS 10:00 2:00 2:30

More information to come.

Live Streaming: 2024 Mental Health Resource Fair and Student Forum

español

Live Streaming Information

Spanish Translation is available for in-person attendees
Spanish Translation is also available for virtual participants on our MCPSTV Espanol YouTube Channel and Condado TV Spanish Language TV
Verizon Channel 35
RCN Chanel 88

Mental Health Resource Fair and Student Forum

Keynote Speaker, Charles A. Barrett, PhD, NCSP

Charles A. Barrett, PhD, NCSP, a district-level administrator in Virginia, practiced as a school psychologist for 13 years at the elementary and secondary levels. He serves as an adjunct lecturer at several universities, where he is actively involved in the training and development of future school psychologists. Dr. Barrett was named School Psychologist of the Year by the Virginia Academy of School Psychologists and received the Rookie of the Year Award from the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP). His past leadership positions within NASP include co-chair of the Social Justice Task Force and African American Subcommittee, chair of the Multicultural Affairs and Social Justice Committees, and Virginia Delegate to the NASP Leadership Assembly. Dr. Barrett serves on the editorial boards of School Psychology Review and School Psychology. He is a frequent speaker and workshop presenter for educators, families, and community organizations. His website is www.charlesbarrett.org.

event

Each year, MHAW provides an opportunity for schools to engage students, staff, and families in conversations around the importance of becoming mentally healthy, resiliency, and strategies on how to cope when struggles arise in our lives.

We are asking for each school to provide opportunities for students and staff to participate in activities during the week.

  • Schools could have a Mental Health Wellness Half Day, activities planned each lunch/recess period, morning activities to start the day, etc..
  • Schools can access a premade toolkit that includes activities that can be done at elementary, middle, and high schools to promote mental health and wellness.
  • The toolkit will include best practices to assist schools in developing their own unique time of wellness.
  • Samples of structures for the 1/2 day wellness activities can be accessed in the links below.

Toolkits (For MCPS Staff Only)

Elementary Activity Toolkit

Middle School Activity Toolkit

High School Activity Toolkit

1/2 Day Wellness Day Suggestions

Staff Wellness Resources

Links

Help is Available

If you are in need of mental health assistance:

Montgomery County Hotline:

988 (talk, chat, or text 24/7)

Maryland SafeSchools Tipline:

833-632-7233 (24/7)

Watch videos from previous year's virtual Mental Health Awareness Week events.
Mental Health Awareness Week 2023
Mental Health Awareness Week 2022
Mental Health Awareness Week 2021
Mental Health Awareness Week 2020