MD Young Minds: Text Messages For Teen Mental Health

How MD Young Minds works

MD Young Minds is a new resource for teens and adolescents who are struggling with their mental health. It’s a program designed by the Maryland Department of Health, Office of Suicide Prevention, and utilizes 211 Maryland’s texting platform.

In Maryland, one in five teens considered attempting suicide in the last year, according to the 2021 Maryland Youth Pandemic Behavior Survey.

MDYoungMinds sends supportive text messages, with a focus on teen and adolescent concerns and worries. The ongoing messages also remind youth that immediate mental health support is always available through 211, Press 1.

This is an extension of MDMindHealth/MDSaludMental, which provides English and Spanish text messages for adults.

Sign up by texting MDYoungMinds to 898-211.

Data and text msg. rates may apply. Text STOP to unsubscribe. Privacy/T&C.

Maryland Youth Pandemic Behavior Survey

The Maryland Youth Pandemic Behavior Survey infographic highlights some of the areas of concern for students and the ways they coped during the pandemic.

Some of the findings include that nearly three in five high school students struggled with their mental health in the last year. 36% felt sad or hopeless every day for two weeks in a row.

Another 28% lived with someone who was depressed, mentally ill or suicidal.

Need immediate mental health support?

Dial 2-1-1, Press 1

Talk with a trained suicide and mental health professional 24/7/365.