Ray Lewis partners with Baltimore schools for mental health screening

The former NFL star is piloting a new program to identify depression, anxiety and other issues early in students.

Mar. 19, 2026 at 3:35pm

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Ray Lewis is partnering with Baltimore County schools to pilot a new mental health screening tool for students ages 8 to 15. The goal is to identify depression, anxiety and other mental health risk factors early and connect students with support. The program is already in schools in at least five other states, and more than 40% of students reported improvement in their symptoms after identification and intervention.

Why it matters

Mental health issues among young people have become a growing concern, with rising rates of depression, anxiety and suicides. This program aims to proactively address these challenges and provide resources to students who may be struggling.

The details

The new "Rising Together" schoolwide mental health screening program will be piloted at 15 Baltimore County middle schools. Trained staff will help students complete a questionnaire designed to identify mental health risks and needs. Parents can opt their child out, but the school district hopes for full participation based on the program's positive results in other states.

  • The screening program will launch in Baltimore County schools in the 2026-2027 school year.

The players

Ray Lewis

A former NFL player who is partnering with Baltimore County schools to bring the mental health screening program to the district through his Ray of Hope Foundation.

Myriam Rogers

The superintendent of Baltimore County Public Schools, who says the district is grateful to have Lewis as a partner to help address the mental health challenges facing young people.

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What they’re saying

“Knowing all of the numbers on how many kids actually struggle with mental health and the suicides and the overdoses, this is out of freaking control.”

— Ray Lewis

“It could be the very thing that brings resources to our students, that helps to save their lives.”

— Myriam Rogers, Superintendent of Baltimore County Public Schools

What’s next

The goal is to eventually have the mental health screening program in every school in Baltimore County.

The takeaway

This program represents a proactive approach to addressing the growing mental health crisis among young people, leveraging the expertise and resources of a former NFL star to provide early intervention and support for students in Baltimore County schools.