Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) announced over $24 million in grants to support student mental health during a ceremony on Oct. 25 at Dr. Henry A. Wise High School. These funds, from the Maryland Community Health Resources Commission and the Consortium on Coordinated Community Supports, will support 18 different nonprofits working to combat mental health challenges among youth, an issue that has received considerable concern since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Mental health is important because it affects how we handle stress, schoolwork and relationships,” said Wise High School senior Alonda Munoz. “Without good mental health, these challenges can lead to stress, anxiety and burnout, making it harder to focus, stay motivated or enjoy learning. When we take care of our mental health, we can focus better, feel more motivated and stay balanced, even when things get tough.”
There are 137 grants worth about $114 million going to schools across Maryland from the consortium, created under the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future.
“These grants have collectively served more than 26,000 children in just their first four months,” said Gloria Brown Burnett, deputy secretary in the state Department of Human Services and a former Prince George’s County director of social services.
She also serves on the consortium that delivers the funds to schools across Maryland.
“The consortium is currently funding services in more than 60% of Maryland’s public schools statewide. Over 400 staff have been hired by our grantee organizations to do this important work,” Brown Burnett continued.
Both PGCPS Superintendent Dr. Millard House II and Delegate Joseline Peña-Melnyk (D- District 32) attended the ceremony and were thankful for what these funds will do to improve the County.
House emphasized the importance of the funds in supporting and expanding mental health services.
“Thanks to their efforts, this program will offer year-round access to health support for students,” said House, who has made mental health a major priority since he started his position in 2023. “This funding will allow for us to expand mental health services across the district, providing a broader range of care to really meet the growing needs of our school.
Peña-Melnyk noted the importance of the funding for students and the community overall.
“This is a critical moment for our community in Prince George’s County,” said Peña-Melnyk, who chairs the House of Delegates’ Health and Government Operations Committee. “We’re so polarized. Everything that’s going on in the world, social media, these are not the times when we grew up. Our kids face a lot of issues and problems. So, today is about more than just new services of these 18 organizations. It is also about creating a future where every child can thrive academically, emotionally and mentally.”
