• Prince George's County held a mental health symposium led by County Council Chair Edward Burroughs and Taraji P. Henson to address rising teen mental health concerns.
• The symposium featured alternative therapeutic activities like yoga, hip-hop therapy, and sound healing, aimed at engaging students in mental wellness.
• The county is partnering with the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation to expand mental health initiatives to all high schools and middle schools in the district due to alarming statistics on student suicide.

Prince George's County, Maryland, is proactively addressing the growing concern of teen mental health through a multifaceted approach. A recent mental health symposium, spearheaded by County Council Chair Edward Burroughs and actress Taraji P. Henson, brought together over 1,000 people to foster open conversations and explore holistic approaches to mental wellness. This initiative is driven by alarming local statistics indicating high rates of suicidal ideation and attempts among high school students, including a recent tragic suicide of an 11-year-old. The county is partnering with the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation to expand mental health resources and innovative programs throughout its school system.

• What: A mental health symposium was held in Prince George's County to address teen mental health concerns, featuring alternative therapeutic activities and resources.
• Who: Key individuals involved include County Council Chair Edward Burroughs, actress Taraji P. Henson, students like Marley Cashwell, and representatives from the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation.
• When: The symposium took place on a Saturday (May 3, 2025 according to one source). The initiatives are ongoing with plans to expand to more schools.
• Where: The symposium was held at Oxon Hill High School in Prince George's County, Maryland. The initiatives will expand to other schools in the county.

The news highlights a critical need for increased mental health support for teenagers in Prince George's County, evidenced by high rates of suicidal ideation and attempts. The county's proactive response, including the symposium and partnerships with organizations like the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation, represents a significant step towards addressing this issue. The focus on alternative therapies and destigmatizing mental health discussions is particularly important, given the challenges students face and the reported discomfort in turning to traditional counseling. The involvement of influential figures like Taraji P. Henson helps to raise awareness and provide relatable role models for students.

Being a student nowadays is hard. Some adults downgrade it, but we really do a lot.

It’s an honor for me to give back. My father always said, ‘If you’re blessed, be a blessing.’ So I have to honor that.

I am so proud and honored to be in a position to do this. I remember being a kid in the hood and there was this acting troop that would go around to public schools and I remember being inspired by them and saying I want to do that one day.

Prince George's County is proactively addressing the escalating teen mental health crisis through strategic alliances and robust community involvement, highlighted by a recent mental health symposium and expanded school-based initiatives. This signifies a vital investment in student well-being, particularly given alarming statistics indicating that nearly 20% of the county's high school students have contemplated suicide. Beyond traditional counseling, innovative therapeutic approaches like yoga, hip-hop therapy, and sound healing are being implemented to meet young people where they are. The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation is a key partner, working to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health in marginalized communities by providing resources and alternative therapeutic activities. These collaborative efforts, involving county leaders, organizations, and community members, demonstrate a promising commitment to fostering a supportive environment where young people can thrive through diverse programs such as therapy sessions, wellness pods, and psychoeducational hangouts.