Tommy Raskin, who grew up in Takoma Park, lost his life to depression on Dec. Hogan added, “No one should ever feel like they must suffer in silence.” He thanked Raskin “for your willingness to channel your own grief in order to help address the mental health crises in Maryland and across America.” “I know countless lives will be saved because of this law that now bears your son’s name,” Hogan told Raskin as they stood in front of the Maryland State House in Annapolis Monday morning. “We’ll be a listening ear to identify what we can do” to help, he said. If someone in the program doesn’t answer, 2-1-1 employees will contact the participant’s support person to make sure everything is okay, explained Quinton Askew, president and CEO of 2-1-1 Maryland. Those in the program will be called on a regular basis by a caring person, who will offer comfort and recommend services. Larry Hogan, directs the Maryland Department of Health to establish an opt-in mental health services phone call program, which will be done through the state’s already existing 2-1-1 Maryland program. The Thomas Bloom Raskin Act, which was signed into law April 13 by Gov. Visit The Frederick News-Post (Frederick, Md.) at Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.Beginning July 1, people experiencing mental health issues can opt into a friendly call-in program to receive regular wellness calls or texts under a new Maryland law named in memory of the the son of U.S. Visit /healthcheck for more information or to sign up for the health check program.įollow Jack Hogan on Twitter: The Frederick News-Post (Frederick, Md.) The Mental Health Association of Frederick County, which services all of western Maryland, has run a 24/7 call center since 1990, according to the association's website, and 211 Maryland is one of the partners that funds the call center. The association saw a 9 percent increase in call volume from 2019 to 2020, the bulk of which involved people seeking general information about COVID-19 or looking to talk about isolation related to pandemic restrictions. The new services will facilitate rapport building, and through weekly check-ins they will increase the "opportunity for connection," Aleshire said.Īleshire anticipates her organization's call volume may increase as people experience apprehension to resuming in-person activities at the tail end of the pandemic. People may sometimes be hesitant to reach out when they need help, so creating a rapport to cultivate a feeling of understanding is one of the most effective "protective factors" in mental health care, according to Shannon Aleshire, CEO for the Mental Health Association of Frederick County. "I know that countless lives will be saved because of the law that now bears your son's name," Hogan said to Raskin Monday.Īccording to a report the CDC published Friday, one-fourth of surveyed adults aged 18-24 said they experienced "suicidal ideation related to the pandemic" in the past month. Larry Hogan (R) signed following the conclusion of the 2021 legislative session in Annapolis. The bill, which will take effect July 1, was the first Gov. Marylanders can sign themselves or their loved ones up for the program early by texting "HealthCheck" to 211-MD1 (211631), according to a news release from Raskin's office. "We just want the young people out there who are in crisis to know that there are lots of ways they can get help," Raskin told the News-Post after the event. 31 at the age of 25.Īs a congressman in a historically partisan House of Representatives, Raskin said it was refreshing to see the state's political leadership rally behind such a prevalent and personal issue. "Let's hope that we get to a place where we don't lose anybody else." "My family is just really happy that Tommy is being honored in this way," Raskin (D-8th), who represents part of Frederick County, said at the event. The Thomas Bloom Raskin Act (SB719 and HB812), which the General Assembly approved this year, will use the state's existing 211 mental health crisis agency to establish periodic check-ins and connections to mental health resources for people who opt in. Jamie Raskin's son died by suicide, the congressman joined state leaders in Annapolis Monday to praise the enactment of a namesake bill that will expand the state's mental health services. Add To Favorites Leaders hail state mental health bill named after Rep.
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