On February 25th, over 500 consumers, family members, and advocates gathered in Annapolis for the Maryland Behavioral Health Coalition’s Keep the Door Open Rally.  Their goal was to advocate for improved access to behavioral health services for individuals living with mental health and substance use disorders.

Leading by Example Program Director & Co-Founder, Johnnie Fielding, spoke at the rally in support of The Keep the Door Open Act, which aims to attract and retain qualified licensed professionals and direct care workers by maintaining fair and stable provider rates. 

Over a million Marylanders live with a mental health or substance use disorder, and more than 180,000 rely on the state’s public behavioral health system.  Since 2008, the number of people using this system has increased by 65%.  However, despite this demand, funding for these services has stagnated, putting many providers at risk of closing or reducing their services.

Leading By Example is a mental health provider committed to ensuring the holistic health of children, adults, and families. Through mental health treatment and education services it promotes healing and restoration for patients and communities.