With parents and kids working and learning remotely, screen time is on the rise and many parents have relaxed the usual limits on activities like online gaming and using communication apps. But during this time of parental multitasking, how can we protect our children from dangerous or inappropriate content, or even from developing an online gambling problem? For starte ..

Frequent contact with others who are in recovery is a cornerstone of 12 step programs. Together people provide mutual support in order to maintain their recovery. Yet currently the CDC has recommended cancelling all gatherings of 10 or more people, and Governor Hogan announced that the state will prosecute gatherings of 10 or more people. In the midst of this guidance, most ..

The Maryland Health Connection starts a new Special Enrollment Period open to uninsured Marylanders who need health coverage during the State of Emergency for Coronavirus (COVID-19). Visit MarylandHealthConnection.gov (https://www.marylandhealthconnection.gov/) or download the free “Enroll MHC” mobile app. Request or select “Coronavirus Emergency Special Enrollment Period.” ..

If you care about someone struggling with substance use disorder, it’s important to understand how professionals in the field consider various treatment options and how they make decisions about their recommendations. This article offers information on The American Society of Addiction Medicine’s (ASAM) standardized criteria for assessing the treatment needs of individuals  ..

Recently the Maryland Department of Health sponsored a training for those who wanted to offer presentations on medications for addiction treatment (MAT). MCF’s Ginger Rosela was one of the people trained. We asked her a few questions about what she learned. “MAT prevents overdoses. People think that it is substituting one drug for another. No. It is part of harm reducti ..

Have you had trouble finding an in-network behavioral health provider for your loved one through your private insurance? Here at MCF we hear stories about tremendous barriers families face including: Online provider directories that are inaccurate or out of date. They fail to note that a provider is not taking new patients, or is no longer taking a certain insurance plan ..

The current statistics regarding youth mental health are troubling. More and more students report feeling depressed. Even more alarming, between 2009 and 2017, the number of high school students who reported contemplating suicide increased 25 percent. It could be that more teens are willing to admit they are struggling, but deaths by suicide among teens have increased as we ..

Are you familiar with your Local Care Team (LCT)? It can be a great resource in finding help for your child. LCTs were funded across Maryland by the Governor’s Office for Children with the express purpose of helping families of children with intensive needs. They can help identify potential resources for your family through a coordinated interagency approach. The Local Care ..

By Lorri Irrgang You want to share love and feel loved by the person who is struggling with addiction, but often all you feel is a broken heart. No matter how hard you try, you cannot get to a place of emotional connection or availability. It feels like every time you reach out, you end up disappointed. And if you love them too much, you risk crossing the line to enabling.  ..

By Gail Doerr Stress surrounds us and can be a chronic state for some. When unmanaged, long-term stress can make us susceptible to anxiety or even depression. While there is no one-size-fits-all approach to managing stress, one tactic that has proven helpful for many people is journaling—writing about thoughts, concerns and feelings. Not only can it ease symptoms of s ..