A recent grant of $12.6 million was awarded by the Maryland Consortium on Coordinated Community Supports to Sheppard Pratt to provide school-based mental health services over a 16-month grant period beginning March 1, 2024. This funding expands our existing school-based mental health services in Frederick, Howard, Montgomery, Prince George’s, and Washington County public schools, allowing us to provide services to more than 2,700 students and make mental health services more accessible for youth who are struggling for support. Psychiatric services include individual, group, and family therapy; coordination of care with school staff and parents; a therapeutic summer program in each county; and evidence-based training for staff.

“One thing this funding provides is improved screening opportunities that enable us to offer timely, accessible care,” Smith said. An additional goal is to reduce the stigma around seeking and receiving mental health services.

As part of its commitment to eliminate barriers for students and families to receive the best in evidence-based care, Sheppard Pratt will use the grant funding to create case management teams that work directly with students and their families, make recommendations or referrals as needed, and follow up with school personnel to make sure that ongoing services are available to address the children’s needs.

“Case management when working with a child is incredibly important. You are working with the child, the family, the school, and providing psychoeducation. It allows us to meet the needs of the entire child and not just the 1:1 therapy model,” said Smith.

Sheppard Pratt has contracts with multiple school systems to offer behavioral health services, either through the school systems or county health departments in those school systems. The schools identify the students who may benefit from the services. Sheppard Pratt has therapists assigned to specific schools or who can be dispatched to meet with a specific child. Meetings are set up with school leadership and other school interventionists who may be involved to support the student. This offers a collaborative approach.

According to Anne Meyer, interim vice president and chief operating officer of Community Services for Sheppard Pratt, services are directed primarily at students with emotional health issues that may cause behavioral difficulties, such as acting out, substance use, or self-harm. “These are kids who need extra support to be successful. We want these students to get early intervention in their community school setting,” Meyer said. The goal is that timely intervention will help students and families successfully address their emotional issues to maintain a productive school career and avoid lasting harm.

The funding is also supporting community and school-based engagement like back-to-school nights and summer programs. In the summer programs, therapists and case managers work with kids on different topics like self-esteem and building self-confidence, and they also hold anxiety support groups.

The delivery of these services continues to be impactful. By tracking data and identifying trends for improvement, Sheppard Pratt can see how these expanded school-based services are improving access and making a difference in the lives of children.

“Early intervention and early diagnosis are vital,” says Crystal DeVito, PhD, senior child and adolescent psychologist and member of the center’s expert interdisciplinary team of providers. “Sheppard Pratt’s Center for Autism is a place with collaborative, creative thinkers who seamlessly integrate their respective strengths. It’s exciting to be part of a team whose focus is solidly on the patient while never losing focus on the family.”

An earlier diagnosis means families can work on critical life skills sooner and there is a greater impact on the child’s long-term progress and functional abilities. Dr. DeVito and the team utilize an interdisciplinary approach when documenting the progress of children with developmental disabilities, and they do so as a one-day team evaluation.

“The process is much less stressful when young children don’t have to do individual evaluations with each specialist,” she says. “Psychology, speech-language pathology, and occupational therapy work together during the evaluations to determine the child’s cognitive, communication, emotional, and sensory abilities. We then meet and compare notes to provide specific recommendations for parents.”

Synthesizing information through all the disciplines offers benefits, Dr. DeVito says. “Families get on track more quickly and are more hopeful when they learn about their child’s specific strengths and needs. They learn to understand and communicate with their child, making tomorrow better for the child and the family.”

The center also continues to streamline and revolutionize care for those who reach the autism “services cliff” at age 21, says Michael J. Murray, MD, medical director for autism and developmental disabilities at Sheppard Pratt. Sheppard Pratt has the resources and knowledge to inform care throughout the life span, giving parents peace of mind that their child will have the support they need both now and in the future.

“We recognize how difficult it can be for young adults leaving school-based services to transition into adulthood. They must advocate for their own needs for the first time,” he says. “Another significant area of development for the center is our complete care evaluation for this population—an evaluation that typically occurs over three days but can be modified depending on the person’s needs. This protocol is recognized as state-of-the-art planning for this phase of life.”

Day one is a broad general assessment, and the second day is reserved for more specific assessments.

“Then, on day three, all that information is compiled and interpreted so we can work with the individual to identify areas of priority,” Dr. Murray says. “We actualize their vision for community living by teaching them to use Charting the LifeCourse™ tools—state-of-the-art resources for self-determination for neurodivergent individuals.”

These innovative practices are just some of the center’s many initiatives designed to significantly improve patient’s lives.

“The Center for Autism is dedicated to creating new programs and ways of delivering services,” Dr. Murray says. “We meet people where they are, help them feel comfortable expressing vulnerabilities, and provide support so they achieve the tomorrow they want for themselves."

Researchers Commit to Helping the Treatment-Resistant

Fueled by Sheppard Pratt’s reputation for helping people with some of the most difficult cases, Drs. Aaronson and Johnson are energized to succeed and help many finally find relief with psychedelics.

“Our hope here is to create a basis for further research so people with difficult-to-treat illnesses across the diagnostic spectrum may find relief from this very novel idea that psychedelics may transform psychiatry,” says Dr. Aaronson. “People may not get better from these drugs alone, and they must be used in a psychological context with a psychotherapy component.”

Much of the work being done is in the Phase 3 registration trial for a COMPASS compound for treatment-resistant depression called COMP360, a synthetic psilocybin, Dr. Aaronson says. Since the odds of responding to a third treatment for depression are 25% or less after two failed treatments, finding novel treatment options for these patients is critical.

Phase 3 studies are typically submitted to the FDA for approval to make the drug clinically available and must demonstrate adequate benefit and safety. The goal of a registration trial is to seek FDA review as a new agent or to expand labeling to use the treatment for a particular disease.

“Many of our other psychedelic studies look at populations historically neglected by psychiatric research, such as bipolar type II depression, depression with chronic suicidal thoughts, and anorexia,” Dr. Aaronson says.

A published study from Dr. Aaronson was the first to capture the effect of psilocybin on bipolar II depression, a cyclical mood disorder with significant depressive episodes and hypomania—with elevated mood and more energy—versus the more severe mania of bipolar I illness.

“Few medications have been FDA-approved for this population, and we found a high level of response in a small open-label study,” he says.

“One of our participants remained in remission for 18 months following a single dose of psilocybin,” Dr. Aaronson says.

A second research effort focuses on a group with chronic, persistent suicidal thoughts as part of their difficult-to-treat depression, a population excluded from almost all studies, he says. Dr. Aaronson is optimistic because “the first impression” has yielded a significant reduction in suicidal thoughts without evidence of any increase in suicidal ideation in study participants.

As other research continues, his team expects to publish these results later this year. One study accepted for publication focuses on participants who have failed at least five separate treatments during a current episode of depression. Another explores the effects of psilocybin on participants with anorexia.

One Substance May Treat Multiple Disorders

As Dr. Johnson reflects on the growing number of psychiatric disorders being examined in psychedelic trials, he says some traditional treatments are specific for the surface level symptoms of a particular disorder.

“Psilocybin, however, seems to exert its effects with the same general psychological mechanisms,” he says. “It’s unusual for one medication to work for multiple disorders. We want to understand how this works in different domains and to assess its potential as a behavior change technology.”

He also wants to know more about the long-term benefits of psilocybin that resemble those of psychotherapy.

“Patients report that they interact with life differently, responding to cravings differently,” he says. “Psilocybin may change how a person looks at themselves or frames a problem, as it creates a lens through which they see the world and interact with it,” he says.

At Sheppard Pratt, treatment includes three phases: preparation, dosing the medication, and integration. The drug effect of psilocybin lasts for six hours, so in addition to a thorough screening and preparation for the session, a patient stays for eight hours at the treatment center. In one of four state-of-the-art psychedelic treatment rooms, they undergo their experience while being carefully monitored by a trusted therapist, says Dr. Johnson. Integration and sharing the experiences begins the next day and continues for a designated period.

Advancements Set to Change Psychiatric Treatment Dynamics

With so much positivity and optimism, Dr. Aaronson is excited to contemplate the implications as the center pursues further advancements. Researchers are motivated in collegial collaboration to strategically test new ideas within the boundaries of scientifically proven evidence.

“Psychiatry will change more in the next 10 years than in the last century,” he says. “We will be able to treat illnesses we just haven’t been able to get our arms around previously.”

‘Something Truly Magical’

Its sponsorship of the Ravens is just one example of Sheppard Pratt’s commitment to community-based partnership. Another example is with the radio network Radio One, with which it hosts quarterly “Minorities & Mental Health” forums featuring Sheppard Pratt experts discussing mental health topics important to minority communities in Baltimore alongside radio hosts and other public figures. Sheppard Pratt has also partnered with the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) for many years, sponsoring events, providing tables with educational materials for attendees, and partaking in NAMIWalks events across the state of Maryland.

Sheppard Pratt also directly engages with local communities via annual events like its Sheppard Pratt Frederick Turkey Trot and the Feel Good 5K & Fun Run, both of which promote mental health awareness to walkers and runners who participate in the family-friendly races. The former is Maryland’s largest Turkey Trot, with more than 4,000 participants every year.

Although each of its partnerships, sponsorships, and events has helped Sheppard Pratt advance its goal of moving mental health into the mainstream, the best is yet to come, according to Dr. Trivedi. The next generation of partnerships at Sheppard Pratt will target stigma by further increasing awareness of mental health resources, elevating mental health success stories, and expanding access to mental healthcare. “When you put all those things together and do it at the scale that only Sheppard Pratt can, you’ve got something truly magical.”

One notable example is the expansion of the Adult Residential Treatment Center in Towson, Maryland. This program offers a convenient location and promotes a sense of belonging for residents—seamlessly integrating into the community.

“Our residential treatment program supports individuals struggling in the community with frequent hospitalizations,” explains Susan Cromwell, senior director of adult residential treatment centers and residential crisis services at Sheppard Pratt. “We provide a 3–10 month program with wraparound services like therapy, job support, and addiction counseling to help residents stabilize, reintegrate into the community, and rebuild relationships.”

The addition of residential crisis beds in Baltimore City, which opened in the fall, are also providing local residents with critical services. The two newly renovated buildings will house crisis beds, offering immediate support and intervention, diverting individuals from the Greater Baltimore Medical Center emergency department. This can prevent escalation and expedite access to appropriate treatment.

Additionally, with funding from Howard County, Sheppard Pratt is constructing a 16-bed residential crisis services program on its Baltimore/Washington Campus that is expected to open in 2026. This location will be a 24/7-staffed, short-term program that will serve both as a hospital diversion and step-down program, while offering a more engaging—and more private space—for patients and their families. With its close proximity to our hospital campus, there will be opportunity for shared staffing and smooth patient transitions.

The new dedicated building will provide the optimal space to support Howard County residents through their mental health crises and reflects a collaborative approach that aims to empower individuals to seek help closer to home, ultimately fostering a stronger support network and a smoother transition back into their communities.

Beyond Beds: The Power of a Comprehensive Approach

Sheppard Pratt’s adult residential treatment centers offer more than a place to stay—they provide a holistic approach to healing, empowering individuals to reclaim their lives. This approach encompasses a diverse range of services designed to address the unique needs of each resident. Programs include individual and group therapy sessions, creating safe spaces for residents to explore challenges and develop coping mechanisms. Medication management ensures residents receive necessary pharmacological support.

Beyond clinical intervention, Sheppard Pratt emphasizes social and vocational training. Residents improve their social skills and gain vocational training to pursue meaningful employment, fostering self-sufficiency. The programs also provide safe housing and therapeutic supports that allow individuals in crisis to access timely services and build a plan for the future.

“We’re trying to provide support,” notes Cromwell. “That’s the ultimate goal.”

“The more access we create for individuals needing residential treatment options in the community, the more availability we reserve for inpatient psychiatric care for those that truly need that intensive level of care,” adds Henson.

Sheppard Pratt’s commitment extends beyond expanding beds; it’s about building a more equitable system of care. We actively seek collaborative solutions, addressing challenges like limited affordable housing options that can hinder long-term recovery.

“Without safe housing to discharge a patient to, determining an effective treatment path is often difficult, if not impossible,” Henson acknowledges.

By providing this comprehensive support system within residential programs, Sheppard Pratt helps individuals weather mental health challenges and emerge stronger and prepared to lead fulfilling lives. Through innovation and partnership, mental healthcare is not just accessible, it can be seamlessly integrated into the fabric of our communities.

Peer Support Program

Leveraging an innovative peer support program in Howard County that launched three years ago, individuals with personal experience in behavioral health or substance use recovery are supporting patients in residential crisis beds.

“These peer support workers are in recovery themselves,” Cromwell explains. “It’s really powerful to receive services from somebody who has been in the hospital or a crisis bed.” This lived experience fosters a profound sense of empathy and understanding—a powerful tool for supporting others on their recovery journeys.

As the program expands, more community members will benefit from the guidance of these peers, who can say with authenticity, “I’ve been where you are—and I made it through.” This peer-to-peer connection not only provides hope but also fosters a sense of belonging and resilience, illustrating Sheppard Pratt’s commitment to evolving mental healthcare.

By integrating peer support into our residential programs, Sheppard Pratt fosters a more holistic and compassionate approach to healing. Peer support workers offer a unique perspective, providing encouragement and hope to residents as they navigate the path toward a brighter tomorrow.