'It’s OK To Ask' Suicide Prevention Program Expands In Howard County

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — The Howard County Health Department will expand the “It’s OK to Ask” suicide prevention campaign to raise awareness and reduce stigma about mental health and suicide across all ages and cultures. Data collected during the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated a need for additional outreach to youth and adults who may be experiencing mental health challenges due to increased stress and isolation, the department noted at a news conference.

The 2021 Howard County Health Assessment Report found that 35 percent of residents reported feeling depressed or lonely in the previous two weeks. Further, 50 percent of residents reported feeling nervous or anxious in the previous two-week period. This is an increase of more than 10 percent since the last county health assessment survey completed in 2018.

“Our goal is that through these relatable images, we can lessen the stigma about mental health and get people talking,” Howard County Health Officer Dr. Maura Rossman said. “Mental health conditions affect people of all ages, races, ethnicities, professions and economic status. The best place to begin if you or someone you know is having a difficult time, is with a simple conversation. It’s OK to ask someone how they are doing, and it’s OK to ask for help.”

The 2022 launch of the “It’s Ok to Ask” campaign is an expansion of the evidence-based 2019 youth suicide prevention campaign developed by the health department to address an increase in suicide deaths among teens ages 15-19. While this work is ongoing, additional campaign materials have been developed to target the Howard County community across the lifespan.

Community partners including members of the Healthy Minds and Suicide Prevention Coalition, the Local Behavioral Health Authority Board and several local affinity groups were consulted on messaging and images for the campaign. The campaign aims to encourage residents to have conversations about mental health and to promote help-seeking behaviors. Each campaign image includes a QR code to culturally responsive resources housed on the Howard County Health Department website.

For more information and additional resources available through the health department's “It’s OK to Ask” suicide prevention campaign, visit https://www.howardcountymd.gov/health/suicide-prevention.