Fourth Annual Maryland Youth Suicide Prevention Summit Focuses on Identifying and Supporting Kids and Teens at Risk

BALTIMORE, September 24, 2026-Pediatric providers from across the state will convene next month to share resources and ideas at the fourth annual Maryland Youth Suicide Prevention Summit, an event sponsored by the Maryland Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).

Topics for the day include screening tools for crisis prevention, implementing safety assessments, a new app for connecting providers, and making health recommendations to Maryland's legislative leaders.

The summit began in 2023 as a one-time event. But participants made such progress, the AAP's Maryland Chapter decided this needed to be an annual gathering, said Dr. Terry Nguyen, MD, MS, chair of the Department of Pediatrics at GBMC and co-chair of the Mental Health Committee for AAP's Maryland Chapter.

"We know that mental health and suicide prevention are on the minds of many parents, teachers and health care providers, and feel strongly that sharing resources through a conference like this is a way to better our communications and make a difference," Dr. Nguyen said.

The free event takes place Wednesday, Oct. 14 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Kennedy Krieger Institute will once again host the summit, and interested participants can register at this link. Breakfast and lunch are provided.

Suicide is second-leading cause of death in the U.S. for children, adolescents and young adults between the ages of 10 and 24, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Resources on suicide prevention can be found on the following websites:

• Suicide: Blueprint for Youth Suicide Prevention, American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
• National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
• 988 Lifeline

About Kennedy Krieger Institute
Kennedy Krieger Institute, an internationally known, non-profit organization located in the greater Baltimore/Washington, D.C. region, transforms the lives of more than 27,000 individuals a year through inpatient and outpatient medical, behavioral health and wellness therapies, home and community services, school-based programs, training and education for professionals and advocacy. Kennedy Krieger provides a wide range of services for children, adolescents and adults with diseases, disorders or injuries that impact the nervous system, ranging from mild to severe. The Institute is home to a team of investigators who contribute to the understanding of how disorders develop, while at the same time pioneering new interventions and methods of early diagnosis, prevention and treatment. Visit KennedyKrieger.org for more information about Kennedy Krieger.

About Maryland Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics
Since its inception in 1950, the Maryland Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics (MDAAP) has a long and distinguished history of advocacy and support of Maryland's children and adolescents and their healthcare needs. The MDAAP's mission "To support and encourage pediatricians in the promotion of optimal health for all of Maryland's children and adolescents" speaks to that commitment. The MDAAP initiates and supports programs that respond to the needs of children and adolescents and their healthcare providers through collaborative and creative programming with other public and private organizations. Visit www.mdaap.org for more information.