Student’s mental health is put to the test while attending school during a pandemic in Maine. Photo by Antyna Gould Ellen Moon Opinion | September 21, 2020 Fighting for mental health services and support has turned into a global movement. In Maine, the state legislature has created many resources, laws and programs to support those affected by a variety of mental health disorders. From 2011 to 2015, the state of Maine’s annual average of mental health ... Read More ›
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We can fight the opioid crisis by creating connections, opportunities and hope
People attended a candlelight vigil in Lincoln on as part of International Overdose Awareness Day activities in this Aug. 31, 2016, file photo. Credit: Nick Sambides Jr. / BDN The BDN Opinion section operates independently and does not set newsroom policies or contribute to reporting or editing articles elsewhere in the newspaper or on bangordailynews.com. Lee Umphrey is president and CEO of Eastern Maine Development Corp. Doug Dunbar is EMDC’s recovery and re-entry workforce ... Read More ›
Much work remains to tame Maine’s opioid epidemic
Lighted paper bags stand as memorials to those lost at a drug overdose victims' vigil in Portland's Monument Square on Aug. 31, 2015. Credit: Troy R. Bennett / BDN The BDN Opinion section operates independently and does not set newsroom policies or contribute to reporting or editing articles elsewhere in the newspaper or on bangordailynews.com. Gordon Smith is Maine’s first director of opioid response In her column published on International Overdose Awareness Day, ... Read More ›
Two southern Maine behavioral health care providers to merge next month
Two southern Maine providers of behavioral health care services are planning to become “one,” literally, next month. Day One, headquartered in South Portland, and Windham-based SMART Child & Family Services will merge Oct. 1 and continue operations under the Day One name, the organizations said. Both nonprofit agencies will continue to operate from their current facilities, serving people who have substance use or mental health challenges, but will focus increasingly on family-based ... Read More ›
Collins, King announce nearly $7.5M to combat Maine’s opioid crisis
Ten Maine organizations received federal funding to establish and expand access to integrated substance use disorder and mental health services. Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto Author: Gabrielle Mannino (NEWS CENTER Maine) Published: 1:38 PM EDT August 31, 2020 Updated: 1:38 PM EDT August 31, 2020 WASHINGTON, D.C., USA — On the international day of overdose awareness and remembrance for those lost due to drug use, Sens. Angus King and Susan ... Read More ›
It’s National Recovery Month
SAMHSA’s 2020 National Recovery Month Webinar Series National Recovery Month is a national observance held every September to educate Americans that substance use treatment and mental health services can enable those with mental and substance use disorders to live healthy and rewarding lives. Now in its 31st year, Recovery Month celebrates the gains made by those living in recovery. September 3: Integration of Medication-Assisted Treatment in Treatment and Recovery Support September 10: ... Read More ›
Maine Voices: COVID crisis hits behavioral health Community-based providers of mental health and substance abuse services may not survive if the state doesn’t release federal funds.
Maine Voices: Opinion ABOUT THE AUTHOR Eric Meyer is president of the board for the Alliance for Addiction and Mental Health Services and president and CEO of Spurwink Services Malory Shaughnessy is executive director of the Alliance for Addiction and Mental Health Services The Alliance is a statewide membership association for community-based behavioral health organizations. We are in the midst of a trifecta – the COVID epidemic, a rapid economic collapse based on this epidemic, and ... Read More ›
Letter to Governor Janet Mills: COVID-19 Relief Fund
Alliance for Addiction and Mental Health Services, Maine The unified voice for Maine's community behavioral health providers July 3, 2020 Governor Janet Mills 1 State House Station Augusta, ME 04333 Dear Governor Mills, Let me first acknowledge that we are all working under severe time and financial constraints due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impacts on our state. Given this we know that you and your leadership team are trying very hard to juggle many ... Read More ›
Millions of dollars over budget due to COVID-19, behavioral health care providers cut services
Millions of dollars over budget due to COVID-19, behavioral health care providers cut services, ask state for $35M in federal CARES Act funding State-contracted providers warn Maine's mental health system is already collapsing after they receive none of Maine's $1.25B COVID-19 stimulus funding. Credit: NCM Author: Beth Brogan (NEWS CENTER Maine) Published: 7:29 PM EDT July 23, 2020 Updated: 5:07 PM EDT August 3, 2020 Karen Evans has been in and out of the mental health system ... Read More ›
Maine Behavioral-Health Providers Worry about Trimming Services
Laura Rosbrow-Telem, Public News Service - ME The COVID-19 crisis has heavily impacted the finances of Day One, a youth nonprofit and member of the Alliance for Addiction and Mental Health Services in Maine. (Day One/Facebook) June 12, 2020 AUGUSTA, Maine - Forty percent of the agencies in Maine's Alliance for Addiction and Mental Health Services are concerned they may need to shut down services in the next six to 12 months, according to an internal survey. Eighty percent say they've already ... Read More ›