Resource Referrals
BMHA maintains an extensive list of African American mental health professionals who are sensitive to and appreciate cultural differences.  To access this service, call the BMHA office at 410-338-BMHA (2642).

Group Training and Consultation
BMHA provides individually designed training to enhance service delivery to agencies whose target populations are culturally diverse in order to maximize program outcomes.

Healthy Families/Healthy Schools
This parental involvement and wellness Initiative is designed to help improve caregivers’ understanding of the mental health needs of children and their families. It is designed to assist in improving the quality of life and improve family wellness in and around our communities through education and training.

Through the use of mental health professionals who have partnered with us, we are presenting a weekly series of presentations to Baltimore City Elementary School teachers, parents, caregivers and guardians on: Domestic Violence, Child Development, Child Behavior and Discipline, Identification, Diagnosis and Treatment of ADHD In Children,  Traumatic Stress and Children, Anger Management,  Building Self Esteem,  Substance Abuse,  Child Safety (Home and School),  Parents and Children Learning Together,  Depression and Bereavement,  Linkages to Social Support and Educational Services for Parents; and  Nutrition and its Impact on Wellness: Physical and Mental.  Each presentation is tailored to the school’s needs, based on their request and held in the school or a community setting that best meets the needs of the target audience.

Free Yourself Stop Smoking and Prevention Program (FYSSPP)
The primary goal of the Free Yourself Stop Smoking and Prevention Program is to empower participants to break the habit of smoking and tobacco use in order to reduce morbidity and mortality due to tobacco related diseases. Classes are free, flexible and ongoing. Class topics include: defining nicotine addiction, dealing with withdrawal, techniques of stress management, techniques of weight management and relapse prevention planning. If organizations get 10 or more people to sign up, program staff will bring these services to their location.

BMHA recognizes that smoking rates among African American adults historically have been higher than among the general U.S. population; however, in recent years smoking rates have been similar. Smoking among African American teens has declined dramatically since 1976; however, recent increases in teen smoking among African Americans document the need for continued prevention efforts.

African Americans continue to suffer disproportionately from chronic and preventable disease compared to white Americans. Of the three leading causes of death in African Americans -- heart disease, cancer, and stroke -- smoking and other tobacco use are major contributors to these illnesses.

For more information, persons may contact Aaron Williams, Program Coordinator at 410-338-2642 or visit the BMHA website at www.blackmentalhealth.com to download the registration form.

African American Outreach Project: AD/HD Speaker’s Bureau
Misdiagnosis, under-treatment and over-treatment of AD/HD are common problems faced by children and adolescents in the African American community. As many as one in five children will experience emotional illness that will affect their behavior, mood or ability to learn.  Yet, few will receive treatment and in many instances, AD/HD is misdiagnosed in African American children and categorized as a behavioral issue. Parents and caregivers face a myriad of challenges including stigma, lack of resources, lack of coordination of care between providers, and lack of education about AD/HD diagnosis and treatment.  In addition, cultural and ethnic differences are often poorly understood by primary care and mental health providers, further complicating treatment.

The purpose of the African American Outreach Project is to provide a series of community panel presentations to provide information and education on Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in African American children and adolescents.

The audience for the Speaker’s Bureau are parents and guardians of African American children and adolescents with AD/HD; providers of services to children and adolescents with AD/HD; community representatives; and all who have an interest in gaining knowledge about AD/HD, diagnosis, treatment, mental health and community services.