Welcome to the October edition of the Maryland Wellness Newsletter. 🎃 This month we’re spotlighting National Depression Screening Day and what it means to check in, on yourself and on the people around you.
Inside, you’ll find a short self-reflection you can do in minutes, five regional outreach events blending mental health screenings with a little Trunk-or-Treat fun, a reminder of how 988 can help, this month’s book pick, and an invitation to partner with our Outreach team. We’re glad you’re here. 💚
Mental Health Screening & Support
Every October, National Depression Screening Day asks a simple question: how are you, really? It’s a nationwide push to make mental health screenings as ordinary as a blood pressure check: quick, free or low-cost, and available in health care settings, schools, workplaces, and community events across Maryland. Depression and anxiety affect an estimated 1 in 5 adults every year, yet many people go a long time without ever being asked how they’re doing.
Conversations are usually where screenings start. Many people don’t seek one out on their own; they take that first step because someone else opened the door: a friend who noticed they’d gone quiet, a coworker who asked “How are you, honestly?”, a family member who didn’t let “I’m fine” be the end of it. As the nights get longer and the porches fill with pumpkins, a brief check-in can be a meaningful first step toward support.
3 Ways to Get Involved This Month
- 1Ask, then listen. If someone seems off, ask directly and give them room to answer honestly. You don’t need the perfect words; you need to be willing to hear the real ones.
- 2Share a screening, not just a suggestion. Sending a link to a free, confidential screening is a more concrete first step than saying “you should talk to someone.”
- 3Take one yourself. Screenings aren’t only for people in crisis; they’re a baseline check for anyone. Taking one (and mentioning that you did) helps chip away at the stigma for people around you.
Finding the Right Support for You
A Moment to Check In With Yourself
Taking a few minutes to reflect on how you’ve been feeling can be a meaningful first step toward support. These questions are for personal reflection, not a diagnosis or formal screening.
Over the past two weeks, how often have you…
- Felt low, discouraged, emotionally drained, or disconnected from things you usually enjoy?
- Had trouble sleeping, concentrating, managing everyday responsibilities, or finding the energy to do what you need to do?
- Felt tense, on edge, or unable to quiet your worries?
- Found that worry, stress, or fear has affected your relationships, work, school, or daily routine?
Over the past few months, consider:
- Has alcohol use ever felt difficult to manage or contributed to consequences you did not want?
- Have you used any drug or substance more often, in greater amounts, or in ways that concerned you or affected your daily life?
If any of these questions make you pause, you deserve support. If you are interested in talking with someone about how Maryland Wellness may be able to help, please visit our website and complete a referral. A member of our team will connect with you to discuss your needs and available services.
If there is immediate danger, call 911. For emotional distress, thoughts of suicide, mental health concerns, or substance-use concerns, call, text, or chat 988.
Get Started With Maryland Wellness →Across Maryland, Region by Region
This month’s route mixes free screenings with a few community Trunk-or-Treat stops — drop by, co-host, or send your clients our way.
Upper Chesapeake Bay Pride Festival
Morgan State University Mental Health & Wellness Fair
Boo the Flu
Community Health Resource & Expungement Bazaar
Fallpark Fun Fest
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Free, Confidential Support — Call, Text, or Chat
988 connects anyone experiencing a mental health crisis, emotional distress, or thoughts of suicide with trained crisis counselors — day or night, every day of the year. It’s free, confidential, and available by phone, text, or online chat, whether you’re calling for yourself or for someone you’re worried about.
Learn More at 988lifeline.org →A Screening Month Fact Worth Sharing
Half of all lifetime mental illness begins by age 14, yet the average gap between symptom onset and getting treatment is about 11 years. A free, two-minute screening is one of the fastest ways to close that gap for someone you know.
Book of the Month
The Upward Spiral
Explains the neuroscience of the brain and how small, manageable changes can help interrupt negative emotional loops. A thoughtful read for anyone interested in understanding the connection between the brain, emotions, and everyday habits.
Grab a copy here →Let’s Connect & Grow Together
At Maryland Wellness, we believe that meaningful change happens when communities come together. Our Outreach team is always looking to connect with organizations, community partners, businesses, schools, and groups who share a commitment to supporting mental health and wellness.
Whether you’re interested in partnering on an event, sharing resources, connecting individuals to services, or exploring a future collaboration, we’d love to hear from you. Together, we can help create stronger, healthier communities, one connection at a time.
Ready to connect?
📩 Reach out to our Outreach team at outreach@mdwellness.org.
Maryland Wellness · 4128 Hayward Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21215 · 1.410.314.1030 · info@mdwellness.org
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