DAVID COLLINS WBAL TV 11 NEWS. DAVID. THANK YOU. TODAY, SENATE LEADERS AND OTHER ADVOCATES URGE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO PRESERVE FUNDING FOR KEY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PROGRAMS. IT’S TO ENSURE MARYLANDERS CAN GET THE MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE CARE THAT THEY NEED. THEY SAY WITHOUT ACTION, MANY MARYLANDERS, INCLUDING TENS OF THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN, WILL LOSE ACCESS TO CARE. SO WE KNOW THAT FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY INVEST IN THESE SERVICES NOW WILL BE PAINFUL. COMMUNITY PROVIDERS WILL HAVE REDUCED SERVICE DELIVERIES, AND THEY MAY NEED TO CLOSE THEIR DOORS. PEOPLE WON’T BE ABLE TO GET ACCESS TO THE CARE WHEN THEY NEED IT. COUNSELING AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SUPPORTS IN SCHOOLS WILL BE ELIMINATED, LEAVING NO PLACE FOR KIDS TO GO WHEN THEY NEED HELP AND SUPPORT, AND ALSO CREATING STRESS FOR OUR FAMILIES BY MAKING ADVOCATES WANT TO SEE A 3% INCREASE IN FUNDING FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE
Senate leaders, advocates seek to preserve funding for behavioral health programs in Maryland
Updated: 4:33 PM EST Feb 24, 2026
Senate leaders and advocates urged the Maryland General Assembly to preserve funding for behavioral health programs.Supporters seek to ensure Marylanders can access the mental health and substance-use care they need, saying that without action, many Marylanders — including tens of thousands of children — will lose access to care.”We know that failure to inadequately invest in these services now will be painful. Community providers will have reduced service deliveries and they may need to close their doors. People won’t be able to get access to the care they need. Counseling and behavior health supports in schools will be eliminated, leaving no place for kids to go when they need help and support and also create stress for our families,” said Adrienne Breidenstine, vice president of policy and communications at Behavioral Health System Baltimore.Advocates said they seek a 3% increase in funding for mental health and substance-abuse care along with restoring $20 million that will be cut in the state’s proposed budget.
ANNAPOLIS, Md. —
Senate leaders and advocates urged the Maryland General Assembly to preserve funding for behavioral health programs.
Supporters seek to ensure Marylanders can access the mental health and substance-use care they need, saying that without action, many Marylanders — including tens of thousands of children — will lose access to care.
“We know that failure to inadequately invest in these services now will be painful. Community providers will have reduced service deliveries and they may need to close their doors. People won’t be able to get access to the care they need. Counseling and behavior health supports in schools will be eliminated, leaving no place for kids to go when they need help and support and also create stress for our families,” said Adrienne Breidenstine, vice president of policy and communications at Behavioral Health System Baltimore.
Advocates said they seek a 3% increase in funding for mental health and substance-abuse care along with restoring $20 million that will be cut in the state’s proposed budget.