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The health disparities affecting minority communities in Montgomery County demand urgent attention and innovative solutions. In this candid conversation, Councilmember Lori Ann Sales—the first Jamaican American and Black woman to serve in countywide office—brings her unique background in public health to address the systemic challenges facing underserved populations.

In the second segment, Monica Martin, Chief of Behavioral Health and Crisis Services, offers practical guidance for Suicide Prevention Month. She demystifies mental health support, explaining warning signs like persistent sadness, social withdrawal, and changes in sleep patterns. Martin emphasizes that seeking help demonstrates strength, not weakness, while providing concrete resources available to all county residents regardless of insurance status.

Join this important conversation about health equity, access to care, and the innovative approaches Montgomery County is taking to ensure everyone—regardless of background—can achieve optimal health and wellbeing.

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As communities across America grapple with tension and uncertainty, Montgomery County's 11th annual Friendship Picnic offers a powerful antidote to division. Nestled under the canopy of trees at Wheaton Regional Park, residents from all walks of life gather to celebrate what connects us rather than what separates us.

"Whatever happens around us here in Montgomery County, we're going to make it work across our various diverse lines, across cultural lines, across religious lines," declares Jim Stowe, Director of the Office of Human Rights and driving force behind the event. His vision of Dr. King's "beloved community" isn't just rhetoric—it's being lived out through food, music, and genuine human connection.

The magic of the picnic lies in its simplicity: "Zero drama, 100% fun, 100% food, 100% music." Children form instant friendships at the reptile petting zoo while adults sample unfamiliar cuisines and engage in conversations that go beyond superficial greetings. County Council members, public safety officials, and department representatives mingle with residents, breaking down barriers between government and the people it serves.

When asked why friendship matters, responses range from the profound to the practical. "Friendship is the family we choose for ourselves," reflects a visitor from New York. "We learn together and we grow together." A young boy offers the simplest truth: "Without friendship we would all be lonely."

In these divided times, the Friendship Picnic stands as a testament to what's possible when we focus on our shared humanity. As County Councilmember Andrew Friedson puts it, the event shows "hope at a time of despair" and demonstrates "what belonging and community really looks like."

Join us next September for this annual tradition that reminds us all: in Montgomery County, we're making community work, one friendship at a time.

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The semicolon tattoo on Alnicia Gibson's wrist tells a powerful story - it represents choosing to continue when she could have ended her life. As chair of Montgomery County's Out of the Darkness Community Walk, Gibson transforms her lived experience into action, rallying the community against a crisis that ranks as the third leading cause of death among young people aged 15-24 in Maryland.

This eye-opening conversation reveals the devastating prevalence of suicide in our communities while highlighting Montgomery County's comprehensive response system. Manuel Calero, a therapist with 25 years of experience at the Montgomery County Crisis Center, explains their revolutionary approach to mental health emergencies - a free, 24/7 service that functions like "an ER for people having emotional issues."

The episode concludes with Rosalyn Houston from the Montgomery County Volunteer Center highlighting their upcoming "Fall into Service" event, offering a reminder that community connection serves as a powerful antidote to isolation and mental health struggles. Whether you're personally affected by suicide or simply want to support those who are, this episode provides concrete resources, upcoming events, and hope-filled perspectives for anyone navigating these difficult waters.

Join the Montgomery County Out of the Darkness Community Walk on September 21st at the Adventist Healthcare Soccerplex in Boyds, MD. Registration begins at 9am, with the walk starting at 10am. Your presence matters in bringing this critical issue out of the shadows and into the light.