About the Session: Mental health begins in the earliest years of life, shaping a child’s development, relationships, and lifelong well-being. This webinar explores the foundations of infant and early childhood mental health, the importance of early awareness, and the role families and caregivers play in supporting healthy development.

Participants will also learn about the Children’s Mental Health Matters Campaign, Maryland’s statewide initiative to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and promote positive mental health for children and families, while exploring ways to bring its resources and messages into their communities.

By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

• Understand the importance of infant and early childhood mental health and its impact on lifelong well-being.
• Identify protective factors and early indicators of social and emotional concerns in young children.
• Explore the Children’s Mental Health Matters Campaign and opportunities to utilize its resources and messaging.
• Incorporate practical, family-centered strategies that promote children’s mental health and family well-being.

About the Speaker: Angie McRae serves as the Child and Family Engagement Manager at the Mental Health Association of Maryland. In her role, she leads the Children’s Mental Health Matters Campaign, a vital initiative dedicated to raising public awareness and fostering acceptance of the critical importance of children’s mental health to the overall wellbeing of families. Before joining MHAMD, Angie worked as a Family Peer Support Specialist, providing guidance and support to families navigating behavioral health systems and services. Her professional and personal experiences inform her strong commitment to advocating for the mental health needs of youth and ensuring that every child has the support they need to thrive.

Certificates of Attendance are available upon request. A link to request a certificate will be provided to webinar attendees. Please note that CEUs are not available at this time.