Cracking the Shell on Psychological Science · Maryland PSYCTerps

Why Mental Health Is a Maryland Issue—and a Terp Issue

March 15, 2026·19 min·1 clip
A NAMI program leader asks families a heartbreakingly direct question: 'This week, are you in crisis or are you in advocacy?'
This episode of Cracking the Shell on Psychological Science features an interview with Michael Gray, former deputy director of NAMI Maryland, focusing on the state's mental health crisis. They discuss sobering statistics, the grassroots work of NAMI, the challenges of policy and funding, and the importance of community support and advocacy.

As heard by us

A local mental-health conversation that treats advocacy as part of care.

This episode looks at Maryland's mental health landscape through a simple image: what holds up a system is often hidden below the surface. Michael Gray keeps the focus on NAMI Maryland's volunteer-led model, its local advocacy, and the people who bring those issues into public…

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Why you'd press play

Hear how Maryland's mental health roots run through policy, advocacy, and NAMI Maryland's grassroots volunteer network.

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