For decades, people have quietly sought therapy in fear of encountering judgment from friends, family, or coworkers, hiding their struggles with mental health behind closed doors. In this insightful reflection, a retired clinical psychologist explores the three types of stigma that keep mental health sufferers isolated and urges for greater openness, understanding, and support in an era where the need for mental health care is at an all-time high.

Fentanyl smuggling is no longer just the domain of immigrants or cartels—U.S. citizens are increasingly being recruited as mules to carry the deadly drug across the border. With cartels offering quick, high-paying jobs and exploiting the loopholes in border security, thousands of Americans are unwittingly contributing to the fentanyl crisis, making the problem harder to combat.

The Baltimore City Fire Department reports between 3,000 and 6,000 opioid overdoses annually, a figure that likely underrepresents the true toll due to unreported fatalities. As the city pursues legal action against major drug distributors for their role in fueling this crisis, officials highlight the profound impact on community health and emergency response resources.

This week, we celebrate a significant decline in drug overdose deaths in Maryland and Pennsylvania, with Harford County reporting its lowest fatalities in seven years. Key factors in this positive trend include increased access to naloxone and the growing presence of peer recovery specialists, demonstrating the community's commitment to combating addiction and supporting recovery.