Backpack Healthcare:
Expanding Mental Health Services in Howard County
We’re excited to share some big news! Backpack Healthcare is expanding it’s school based program for the 2025-2026 school year. We have secured a $1.8 million grant from the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission (CHRC). This funding will significantly boost our efforts to support the mental health and well-being of students, families, and caregivers in Howard County Public Schools (HCPSS).
What’s Coming Up
In-Person Therapy
We’re continuing our in-person 1:1 therapy sessions with licensed clinicians. These will be available at the following schools:
Complete this form if you are interested in signing your child up for in-person services at any of these schools or if you would like to make a referral.
Virtual Therapy
Backpack provides virtual therapy across Howard County for youth, caregivers, and families. Sessions are available in under 5 days, in over 250+ languages, and flexible with evening, weekend, and daytime openings.
In-Person and Substance Use Groups
We’re continuing our in-person group sessions with expansion to 8 schools, which include both general support and specialized substance use groups. These will be held at Mt. Hebron High School, Long Reach High School, Mayfield Woods Middle, Hammond High, Oakland Mills High, Appleton High, Murray Hill Middle, and Glenelg High.
Complete this form if you are interested in signing up your child or making a referral for substance use and healthy habits groups in-person at any of these schools.
Peer Coaching
New to our services is the launch of the peer coaching program by Backpack Certifi ed Peer Recovery Specialists. Peers will be present in the substance use groups as well as available in Long Reach High, Mayfi eld Woods Middle, Oakland Mills High, and Glenelg High for 1:1 sessions with students to provide coaching on the following subjects:
- Emotional Regulation and Coping Skills
- Substance Use and Harm Reduction
- Peer Relationships and Communication
- Academic Stress & Future Planning
- Identity, Self-Esteem, & Confidence
Complete this form if you are interested in signing your child up for peer coaching or if you would like to make a student referral for services!
Parent Workshops
We’ve lined up a series of virtual workshops for parents and caregivers, covering essential topics to help support your child’s mental health! Workshops are virtual 6-7pm and run every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month! Register for these sessions here!
What We’ve Achieved So Far
Over the past 3 years, we’ve made signifi cant progress in expanding our mental health services throughout Howard County. Here’s a snapshot of what we’ve accomplished:
Group Therapy in Schools:
We’ve held group therapy sessions for the past 3 years at both middle and high schools including Mount Hebron, Mayfi eld Woods Middle, Long Reach, Hammond, and Oakland Mills. These sessions, which began in 2022, are designed to provide students with a supportive environment where they can connect, share, and grow together
Caregiver Wellness Workshops:
Launched in May 2024, workshops have focused on building resilience, developing coping strategies, and improving media literacy. Parents and caregivers have gained valuable tools to support both their own mental health and that of their children.
Individual Therapy and Medication Management:
We’re now offering individual therapy and medication management services, which are covered by Medicaid for eligible residents. These services are a vital part of our commitment to providing accessible mental health care to the community.
Why It Matters
Our $1.8 million grant from CHRC is a game-changer. It’s allowing us to expand our reach and provide essential mental health services to more students and families in Howard County. But this is just the beginning. We’re committed to creating sustainable, long-term solutions that will continue to benefit the community for years to come.
Get Involved
We’re always looking for more ways to connect with the community. Whether you’re interested
in attending an event, participating in a workshop, or just learning more about our services, we’d love to hear from you!
Visit hellobackpack.com for more details, or reach out to us directly at partners@hellobackpack.com.