Anyone needing a new mental health provider or access to substance use disorder treatment can receive a free screening at a wellness event in Easton this month.
The community-wide event takes place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 26 at Grace Street, a recovery community organization at 8262 Ocean Gateway, Suite 1, in Easton. Planting Seeds Behavioral Health, a new virtual mental health services provider, is offering the free screenings.
Navigating the healthcare system can be difficult; this month’s no-barrier, walk-in, free screening can help provide access to care for our community’s most vulnerable.
Nearly half of all Americans will have a behavioral health issue in their lifetime, yet more than 160 million Americans live in an area with mental health professional shortages. Almost the entire Delmarva Peninsula — from Cecil County down to Wicomico, is considered a shortage area, according to the Health Resources & Services Administration. Yet, behavioral health challenges persist, including substance use disorders, suicide, anxiety and depression, with data pointing to worsening mental health since the pandemic, particularly for young adults and people of color.
Jill Willis, CRNP-PMH, founder of Planting Seeds, is a board-certified psychiatric nurse practitioner who specializes in helping people with co-occurring disorders. Willis offers assessment, psychotherapy and medication management, including medications for opioid use disorder. Privacy in ensured for all who attend, for details contact Willis at jillwillis44@
Planting Seeds accepts Medicaid and most private insurances. Learn more online at www.plantingseedsbh.com.
Anyone who cannot make the event can find local mental health and substance use support by dialing 988. This free, 24/7 lines connects to a counselor. For opioid-specific help, text MDHope to 898211.
Grace Street opened in Easton in August of 2023 as the sole recovery community organization (RCO) on the Mid-Shore. An RCO is a non-profit organization founded and led by people with direct lived experience with substance use challenges and recovery.
As an RCO, Grace Street provides peer-based and other recovery support services; operates the region’s only harm reduction vending machine that includes Narcan, Fentanyl and Xylazine test strips; offers free harm reduction materials and services, including wound care; conducts weekly street outreach; provides prevention and youth programming, resource connection and supports; provides life skills and workforce development, including peer recovery support training for certification; hosts support groups and fosters recovery-focused community education.
Grace Street is dedicated to saving lives and fostering healing for anyone affected by substance use disorder. This is done by mobilizing resources within and outside of the recovery community, to increase the prevalence and quality of long-term recovery from alcohol and other drug addiction.
Grace Street serves people across the Mid-Shore. Referrals are not necessary, and services are free. The center is open weekdays and Sundays, 4 – 9 pm. and Saturdays, 2 – 7 p.m. Daytime hours vary. Anyone interested in volunteering or partnering can contact Kate Dulin, program director, at 410-690-7353 or visit GraceStreetRecovery.org. Supporters may donate directly online at GraceStreetRecovery.org.
Chesapeake Charities, a community foundation based in Stevensville, received a one-year grant from Maryland’s Office of Overdose Response to establish the Grace Street RCO.
This project is supported by the Maryland’s Office of Overdose Response. The views presented here are those of the grantee organization and not necessarily those of the MOOR, its Executive Director, or its staff.
Write a Letter to the Editor on this Article
We encourage readers to offer their point of view on this article by submitting the following form. Editing is sometimes necessary and is done at the discretion of the editorial staff.