September 10, 2026
Media Contact:Amanda Hils, Assistant Director for Media Relations,
[email protected]Maryland Department of Health observes World Suicide Prevention Day, highlights statewide efforts and resourcesHealth officials emphasize importance of community connection and local engagement in fostering hope, mental wellness
Baltimore, MD — The Maryland Department of Health today hosted an event to mark World Suicide Prevention Day, showcasing the state’s resources and ongoing prevention efforts. The event featured presentations on statewide initiatives and highlighted tools and support services available to Marylanders.
“Suicide Prevention Awareness Month is a vital time for us to come together as a community to foster hope and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health challenges,”
said Maryland Health Secretary Dr. Meena Seshamani. “By creating space for open, compassionate conversations, we can recognize warning signs early and ensure every Marylander knows they are not alone. Connection has a profound, tangible impact on saving lives.”
Integrated Wellness and Prevention staff welcome attendees for resource and networking event
While Maryland’s suicide rate remains below the national average, recent data underscore the critical need for continued prevention efforts. In 2024, there were 630 deaths by suicide in Maryland, and 31.7% of high school students and 31.9% of middle school students reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness.
As part of the event, the Department’s Office of Integrated Wellness and Prevention launched the 2026
Connecting to Hope Suicide Prevention Awareness Month Toolkit. This year’s theme—Holding Space: Maintaining Safe and Supportive Communities Amid Change—emphasizes that hope is strengthened through connection and belonging. The toolkit includes updated data visualizations, specialized wellness sections, and new evidence-based resources tailored for schools, workplaces and communities.
Maryland also observes 988 Day (Sept. 8) to spotlight immediate crisis support and connection to local services. New digital assets, community events, and expanded outreach for Maryland’s 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline are now available. Notably, since its launch in July 2022, Maryland’s 988 Lifeline has supported more than 500,000 requests for support. Under the Moore-Miller administration, Maryland permanently expanded 988, ensuring stable funding to improve technology, hire more staff, reduce wait times, and better connect Marylanders in crisis to the care they need.
The Moore-Miller administration is also making targeted efforts to ensure information and resources on 988 and suicide prevention are available to all Marylanders, with a particular focus on reaching communities who underutilize these critical resources. This includes veterans and military-connected communities, older adults, LGBTQ+ Marylanders, and communities facing geographic, economic, or systemic barriers to behavioral health services, as well as young men and boys, supporting Governor Moore’s Young Men and Boys Initiative.
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The Maryland Department of Health is dedicated to protecting and improving the health and safety of all Marylanders through disease prevention, access to care, quality management and community engagement.
