May 12, 2025 / Niki Elliott
We are thrilled to announce that Baltimore Medical System’s School-Based Behavioral Health Program has been recognized with the prestigious Healthcare Hero Award from The Daily Record for its exceptional work in transforming the mental and emotional well-being of young people in Baltimore City.
This program is a true hero in the realm of mental health, providing critical support, mentorship, and education to over 1,000 students across four local schools. At its core, the program empowers students to not only learn about mental health but also to actively lead discussions and support their peers. This effort is creating a ripple effect—one that extends beyond school walls and into families, communities, and the future of mental health care.
Mentorship: Empowering the Next Generation of Leaders
One of the program’s standout features is its peer mentoring initiative, which has already reached over 300 students. Through weekly meetings with staff, student mentors are equipped with evidence-based strategies and resilience-building techniques. These mentors become leaders in their communities, supporting their peers and providing guidance on how to navigate challenges, big and small. Their impact is profound, with students like Tariq B. (Mervo Mentor) reflecting on how the program has shaped their understanding of responsibility and empathy:
“I became a mentor because I can help other kids be better, because I was in their position before. You don’t want to have 4 twilight classes when you’re in the 12th grade. I learned that you have to make sure you’re good before you make sure that the next person is good.”
Others, like Kyla C. (Clipper Mentor), have found the experience equally transformative:
“My experience… has been very positive and eye-opening. I’m able to talk to more people who I wouldn’t usually interact with, and it also helps me see people in a different light.”
These are just a few examples of how this program is helping students not only to develop leadership skills but to make a tangible difference in the lives of others.
Mental Health Education: Making Conversations Accessible
In addition to the mentorship program, Baltimore Medical System’s School-Based Behavioral Health Program provides comprehensive weekly workshops that cover topics such as healthy relationships, coping with anxiety and depression, trauma, resilience, sleep hygiene, and more. These workshops are designed to be interactive and engaging, utilizing games and group discussions to make mental health conversations relatable and fun.
By making mental health education accessible, engaging, and welcoming, students are empowered to open up, share their experiences, and develop essential skills for emotional wellness. It’s clear that this approach is working—students feel heard, supported, and equipped to take charge of their mental health.
Community Healing: Involving Families and Creating Supportive Environments
The program doesn’t just focus on students—it also includes families in the healing process. By offering workshops, resources, and ongoing conversations, the program helps parents and caregivers learn how to recognize signs of emotional distress, strengthen relationships with their children, and create supportive home environments. This community-wide approach ensures that mental health awareness extends far beyond the classroom and into homes, where support and understanding can truly thrive.
A Lasting Impact: Building the Future of Mental Health
In just its first year, the program has already become a cornerstone in Baltimore City schools, and students are referring their friends and classmates, demonstrating the powerful impact it’s had. School staff have also seen firsthand how the program has helped reduce the burden on clinicians, providing a much-needed resource to support students in need.
“I appreciate the program because it helps provide basic skills related to teens keeping themselves mentally healthy and safe… It helps decrease the burden on clinicians in the building knowing we have another place to refer kids.” – Simone B., Mervo Clinician
This program is not just improving mental health today—it’s also creating pathways for future mental health professionals. By giving students real-world exposure to mental health work, leadership development, and peer support, the program is inspiring the next generation of therapists, counselors, and mental health advocates.
A Movement for Healing, Hope, and Transformation
Baltimore Medical System’s School-Based Behavioral Health Program is more than a mental health initiative—it’s a movement. A movement where young people take ownership of their own healing, uplift each other, and build stronger, healthier communities. By receiving the Healthcare Hero Award, this program’s efforts are being recognized on a larger scale, amplifying its impact and inspiring even more young people and families to engage in the work of healing, hope, and transformation.
As we celebrate this incredible achievement, we remain committed to supporting the mental and emotional well-being of our young people, families, and communities. This award is not just a testament to the hard work of our staff, mentors, and students, but also to the collective effort of everyone involved in creating a healthier, more supportive environment for Baltimore’s youth.
Congratulations to the entire team behind this life-changing program— you are truly heroes!
