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Life-saving services in Maryland could be cut by more than $116 million, according to leading behavioral health advocates who joined together Tuesday to sound the alarm in Annapolis.

"This is a crisis. It's one that we have to take seriously and that we have to fund responsibly," said Baltimore County Delegate Jessica Feldmark, D-District 12A.

Organizations said the critical programs serve people of all ages across the state, and unless the General Assembly acts swiftly, programs — including Maryland's 988 helpline and crisis services and behavioral health care for children — will be cut drastically. Other critical programs include screening and early intervention, treatment, recovery support and crisis services.

The cuts come as the state faces a budget shortfall . People called on Gov. Wes Moore and lawmakers to restore funding for 988, school mental health and certified community behavioral health clinics. They want to see the state protect a 1% rate increase for behavioral health services included in the FY 2026 budget, as well as protect against proposed cuts to Medicaid.

"I ended up turning to 988. That genuinely saved my life," said Gus Hughes, an advocate for the National Alliance on Mental Illness Metro Baltimore. "Without that counselor there to talk me out of the crisis I was in and also forward resources that were local to help me find shelter, to help me find a therapist and even just general resources I could use and utilize, I probably wouldn't be here."

Legislators supporting the call to restore and protect funds include Feldmark and Baltimore County Sen. Shelly Hettleman, D-District 11.

Advocates include Behavioral Health System Baltimore , Sante Group , Mental Health Association of Maryland , The Horizon Foundation , Community Behavioral Health Association of Maryland and Cornerstone Montgomery .

Advocates said they'll keep working to save the funds while legislators said they'll know more by the March 14 deadline.