Effort in Howard County toward eliminating stigma of mental illness

Oct. 20--Child and adolescent psychiatrist Dr. Meenakshi Suman says she recognizes the stigma of mental health fading away as she continues in her fourth year at Sheppard Pratt Health System in Howard and Baltimore counties.

While some Howard County families are open to getting their children help for illnesses like depression, mood disorders, stress and anxiety, Suman believes furthering mental illness education through collaboration with the county and public schools can alleviate false beliefs that there are quick fixes to these rising, long-term struggles.

"Howard County is generally a resourceful population as compared to Baltimore City, where parents don't have resources," said Suman, an Ellicott City resident. "On the flip side, in Howard County, there's more of a stigma attached to mental health because there are more people who come from different ethnic backgrounds and not all of them are keen on having a child get mental health treatment."

Based on her work as a psychiatrist, Suman said more than 60 percent of all children in Howard County requiring inpatient mental health care received treatment from Sheppard Pratt, with the majority of admissions resulting from mood disorders.

Sheppard Pratt has two inpatient facilities, Sheppard Pratt at Ellicott City and Sheppard & Enoch Pratt Hospital in Baltimore, that provide psychiatric care to people with mental and behavioral issues. Outpatient and community services are also available throughout Howard, Baltimore, Harford, Frederick and Montgomery counties and Baltimore City.

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