PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. — In past meetings, the Calvert Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) has flagged cannabis use and youth mental health as concerns within the community.

Citing the importance of evidence-based interventions, Dr. Nimfa Teneza-Mora proposed that creating and supporting public information campaigns can help people find the resources they need.

Nationally and in Maryland, depression and anxiety rates are highest among the 18–25-year-old age group, with the 13–18 group following close behind. Though Calvert County doesn’t have its own data on youth mental health, Dr. Teneza-Mora used the state and national data to show why it’s important to implement prevention programs in places where they’re most likely to reach students — especially in schools and community programs.

Dr. Teneza-Mora called out the programs and training within Calvert County Public Schools (CCPS), such as the Student Check-Up and Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (CALM). She said it was essential to make sure evidence-based prevention programs were in place and staff were trained on implementing them.

The challenge is making sure students know these programs are available and that their privacy will be protected if they choose to come forward to a teacher or CCPS staff member. Working with CCPS would be key in developing messaging programs going forward, and both Dr. Teneza-Mora and the BOCC expressed support for more mental health and behavioral health professionals in schools to support the many students who look to school for a safe adult to talk to.

Cannabis use among youth is also connected to mental health, since as many as 29% of users ages 14–19 say they use it to treat depression or anxiety symptoms. However, only 6% of users in that age group get their cannabis products from a licensed dispensary. The vast majority (42%) say they get it from a friend or other teen.

BOCC members also called out the difficulty in determining impairment while under the influence of cannabis — unlike alcohol, systems and technology for detecting cannabis are still lacking.

Dr. Teneza-Mora once again recommended using public health messaging to show the dangers of driving while impaired, particularly among college-age groups. Parents and kids can utilize resources like BeCannabisSmart to cover everything from peer pressure to safe storage.

Even with growing awareness and resources, there’s still plenty of work to be done.

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