Maryland Severe Mental Illness Resources & Helpful Info
The term severe mental illness (SMI) includes schizophrenia spectrum disorders, severe bipolar disorder, and major depression with psychotic features. These disorders put an individual at high risk for criminalization and preventable tragedies such as victimization and suicide. Every state has different laws and policies around accessing treatment for SMI and some states have more resources and treatment options than others. Here you will find state-specific resources for navigating the SMI treatment system, an evaluation of local laws, as well as state SMI data and research.
Jump to section:
- Mental Health Association of Maryland (mhamd.org) Resources and contacts
- Maryland Guardianship (mdcourts.gov) Forms and information
- 211 Maryland (211md.org) Connect with a trained professional for behavioral health support
- NAMI Maryland (namimd.org) Support groups, training, information
- Disability Rights Maryland (disabilityrightsmd.org) Protection and advocacy for individuals with disabilities
- Maryland Homeless Services (dhcd.maryland.gov) Crisis hotline for services by county
- Maryland Inmate Locater (dpscs.maryland.gov) Search for an offender by name
- Maryland State Bar Association (msba.org) Legal Assistance
How many people in Maryland have SMI?
individuals with severe mental illness.
individuals with SMI who receive treatment in a given year.
of the adult population is estimated living with a SMI in the United States.
State psychiatric hospital beds in Maryland
2023 total beds: 946
- Civil beds: 1
- Forensic beds: 945
2023 beds per 100,000 people: 15.3
Click here for more information about state psychiatric hospital beds in Maryland.
A minimum of 50 beds per 100,000 people is considered necessary to provide minimally adequate treatment for individuals with severe mental illness. Maryland fails to meet this minimum standard.
For Additional Information
Data is a powerful tool to advocate for change. Curious about a specific data point in your state? Reach out to us at ORPA@treatmentadvocacycenter.org
Fast Facts on SMI in Maryland
Deinstitutionalization, outdated treatment laws, discriminatory Medicaid funding practices, and the prolonged failure by states to fund their mental health systems drive those in need of care into the criminal justice and corrections systems.
19%
5,280
946
6 to 1
2021 Maryland State Mental Health Agency's expenditures
Every state receives block grant funding from the federal government to provide mental health services to their community. Below is some information about how these dollars are spent and compares to other state spending.
$1,476,317,708
23%
$6,673
2.7%
Maryland's Treatment Laws
MD. CODE ANN., HEALTH-GEN. § 10-622(b)(1). The petition for emergency evaluation of an individual may be made by: (i) A physician, psychologist, clinical social worker, licensed clinical professional counselor, clinical nurse specialist in psychiatric and mental health nursing, psychiatric nurse practitioner, licensed clinical marriage and family therapist, or health officer or designee of a health officer who has examined the individual; (ii) A peace officer who personally has observed the individual or the individual's behavior; or (iii) Any other interested person. MD. CODE ANN., HEALTH-GEN. § 10-622(a). A petition for emergency evaluation of an individual may be made under this section only if the petitioner has reason to believe that the individual: (1) Has a mental disorder; and (2) The individual presents a danger to the life or safety of the individual or of others. MD. CODE ANN., HEALTH-GEN. § 10-624 (b) …. (3) Within 6 hours after an emergency evaluee is brought to an emergency facility, a physician shall examine the emergency evaluee, to determine whether the emergency evaluee meets the requirements for involuntary admission. (4) Promptly after the examination, the emergency evaluee shall be released unless the emergency evaluee: (i) Asks for voluntary admission; or (ii) Meets the requirements for involuntary admission. (5) An emergency evaluee may not be kept at an emergency facility for more than 30 hours.
MD. CODE ANN., HEALTH-GEN. § 10-614(a). Except [where the individual alleged to require involuntary admission is currently a state prison inmate], application for involuntary admission of an individual … may be made … by any person who has a legitimate interest in the welfare of the individual. MD. CODE ANN., HEALTH-GEN. § 10-615(6). Each application for involuntary admission shall be “accompanied by the certificates of: (i) 1 physician and 1 psychologist; (ii) 2 physicians; (iii) 1 physician and 1 psychiatric nurse practitioner; (iv) 1 physician and 1 licensed certified social worker-clinical; or (v) 1 physician and 1 licensed clinical professional counselor;” § 10-617. Admission limitations. (a) A facility or Veterans’ Administration hospital may not admit the individual under this part unless: (1) The individual has a mental disorder; (2) The individual needs inpatient care or treatment; (3) The individual presents a danger to the life or safety of the individual or of others; (4) The individual is unable or unwilling to be admitted voluntarily; and (5) There is no available, less restrictive form of intervention that is consistent with the welfare and safety of the individual. MD. CODE ANN., HEALTH-GEN. § 10-632(e)(2). The hearing officer shall [o]rder the release of the individual from the facility unless the record demonstrates by clear and convincing evidence that at the time of the hearing each of the following elements exist as to the individual whose involuntary admission is sought: (i) The individual has a mental disorder; (ii) The individual needs in-patient care or treatment; (iii) The individual presents a danger to the life or safety of the individual or of others; (iv) The individual is unable or unwilling to be voluntarily admitted to the facility; (v) There is no available less restrictive form of intervention that is consistent with the welfare and safety of the individual; and (vi) If the individual is 65 years old or older and is to be admitted to a State facility, the individual has been evaluated by a geriatric evaluation team and no less restrictive form of care or treatment was determined by the team to be appropriate.
Recommended updates to treatment laws
Amend Md. Code Ann., Health-General § 10-624(b)(5) to extend the duration of an emergency evaluation hold to a minimum of 48 hours, preferably 72 hours or more.
Amend Md. Code Ann., Health-General § 10-614(a) to authorize citizen right of petition the court for at least enumerated citizens, preferably any responsible adult, for inpatient commitment.
Amend Md. Code Ann., Health-General § 10-601 to add psychiatric deterioration criteria or amend grave disability criteria to include it by explicitly including continued psychiatric treatment to prevent deterioration as “medical care.”
Amend Md. Code Ann., Health-General § 10-632 to clearly state involuntary admission hearings are held in the Office of Administrative Hearings.
Amend Md. Code Ann., Health-General § 10-6A-06(b)(3) to remove the limited application of outpatient commitment to those refusing service.
Amend Md. Code Ann., Health-General § 10-6A to adopt procedural detail for outpatient commitment including provisions establishing (1) reasonable timelines, (2) renewal of orders, and (3) procedures and consequences for nonadherence.
Amend Md. Code Ann., Health-General § 10-6A-08 to require periodic reporting to the court for outpatient commitment orders.
Amend Md. Code Ann., Health-General § 10-6A-11 to specify a duration of continued orders for a minimum of 180 days, preferably beyond 180 days.
Amend Md. Code Ann., Health-General § 10-6A-06(b)(3)(II) to impose the same procedures and court monitoring of voluntary AOT settlement agreements as contested orders to give the benefit of court monitoring to all enrollees.