The Maryland General Assembly recognized the seriousness and risk to Maryland’s youth related to mental health, acting with legislation to address the problem.  The state law, effective July 1, 2024, mandates that the State Department of Education develop guidelines for public schools who are members of the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association (MPSSAA), to train coaches in recognizing signs of mental illness and behavioral distress in students participating in athletic programs.

The following information is provided for MPSSAA member schools to educate and make all entities of the MPSSAA community aware of how interscholastic athletics and those involved are uniquely positioned to recognize signs of behavioral or mental distress.