Press Release
EveryMind Launches Project Wellness in Prince George’s County Public Schools: A Comprehensive Mental Health Initiative
EveryMind is thrilled to announce a $2.7 million grant from the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission (CHRC) and Consortium on Coordinated Community Supports to launch Project Wellness, a new mental health initiative in partnership with Prince George’s County Public Schools. This grant, part of $111 million in new state funding for mental health, will enhance behavioral health services at seven key schools: Beltsville Academy, Buck Lodge Middle, Dwight D. Eisenhower Middle, Hyattsville Middle, Martin Luther King Jr. Middle, Sonia Sotomayor Middle at Adelphi, and Laurel High. Funding was made available by the Maryland General Assembly under the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future (Maryland Code, Education, Chapter 36 of 2021).
Project Wellness: Bridging Gaps and Fostering Resilience
Project Wellness is a comprehensive program designed to combat the socio-economic and mental health challenges faced by students and their families. Highlighting the need for such an initiative, a 2021 survey in Prince George’s County revealed alarming statistics: 42% of high school students felt persistently sad or hopeless, 21% considered suicide, and 17.2% made suicide plans. Among middle school students, 32.8% contemplated suicide and 25% planned it.
To address these issues, Project Wellness offers therapeutic mentoring and individual, family and group therapy, aiming to enhance self-esteem, social skills, and conflict resolution abilities. Educational workshops and training sessions will be provided for parents, staff, and the community to strengthen mental health literacy and crisis management skills. Through its holistic approach, Project Wellness is dedicated to nurturing resilience and promoting long-term family and individual well-being.
Patrice Harrell-Carter, EveryMind’s Director of Project Wellness and former Principal in the Prince George’s County Public Schools system, will lead this effort, focusing on both academic and personal growth for students and their communities. “This initiative will create a supportive environment where students and families can truly flourish, meeting their mental health needs with compassion, cultural sensitivity, and care,” said Harrell-Carter.
“The Consortium is thrilled to partner with EveryMind to support the mental health and wellbeing of students and families in Prince George’s County,” said Consortium Chair David Rudolph. “We look forward to working with EveryMind as they implement this grant.”
About EveryMind
Since its founding in 1957, EveryMind has been dedicated to nurturing mental wellness and providing a spectrum of direct services in our communities. With a commitment to reducing mental health stigma and ensuring accessible resources, EveryMind serves over 52,000 people annually across Maryland and the National Capital Region, including youth and their families, service members and veterans, individuals facing homelessness, newly arrived immigrants, and the community at large. Our approach is holistic and tailored, aiming to meet the unique needs of everyone we support.
About the Maryland Consortium on Coordinated Community Supports
The Maryland Consortium on Coordinated Community Supports (Consortium) was established by the Maryland General Assembly as part of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future to create a statewide framework to increase access to coordinated, non-stigmatized, comprehensive behavioral health services statewide. The CHRC is the fiscal agent and provides staff support for the Consortium. More information about the Consortium can be found at this url: https://health.maryland.gov/mchrc/Pages/Maryland-Consortium-on-Consolidated-Community-Supports.aspx
About the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission
The grant was awarded by the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission (CHRC), established by the Maryland General Assembly in 2005 to expand access to health services in underserved communities. Since its inception, the CHRC has awarded 824 grants totaling $238 million in funding, supporting programs in every jurisdiction of the State. These programs have collectively served more than 525,575 Marylanders. More information about the CHRC can be found at this URL: https://health.maryland.gov/mchrc/Pages/home.aspx
For Further Details:
For more information about EveryMind’s services, please visit EveryMind.org. For information about Project Wellness, please contact Patrice Harrell-Carter, Project Wellness’ Director, at pcarter@every-mind.org. For more information about our community mental health trainings, please contact Jennifer Grinnell, EveryMind’s Director of Education, at jgrinnell@Every-Mind.org.
For press inquiries, please contact:
Kendra Canty
Director of Marketing and Strategic Partnerships
kcanty@Every-Mind.org