Please go to Bangor Daily News to read the full editorial.  By: The Editorial Board ~~Excerpt “Maine faces a severe prisoner population problem. The number of inmates incarcerated in … county jails has grown far beyond expectations in recent years, stressing the capacity of existing facilities and showing no sign of slowing down.” This statement could have been made yesterday by a county sheriff or state correctional official. It was not. Rather, it is from the opening page of a 2004 ... Read More ›

Please go to The County to read the full article.  By: Contributed ~~Excerpt CARIBOU, Maine — Aroostook Mental Health Center is one of several organizations in five states that received a three year grant to focus on suicide prevention efforts. Because one suicide is one too many, the initiative is called “Zero Suicide.” “We are so pleased to have the Maine CDC and Federal CDC recognize our work in suicide prevention,” said Michelle Ferris, director of emergency services. “The CDC ... Read More ›

Please go to the Bangor Daily News to read the full opinion article. By: Malory Shaughnessy, opinion guest column ~~Excerpt There’s a common thread that connects some of the most important issues facing Maine today — issues that the governor has highlighted and the Legislature is struggling to address. Whether it’s criminal justice reform, closing Long Creek Youth Development Center, fixing the problems in our child protective system, or fighting back against the impacts of the deadly ... Read More ›

Please go to Central Maine Online to read the full editorial.  We're doing most of the right things to save lives. We just need to do more. ~~Excerpt The report from Maine’s chief medical examiner was disappointing but should not have been a surprise for anyone who has been living through the opioid epidemic. Overdose deaths appear to be on the rise again after a slight decline in 2018 that gave the false impression that the crisis was subsiding. But according to the state, 277 people ... Read More ›

Monday, March 30th, 2020 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Location: The Hutchinson Center As people learn about themselves with resonance and understanding, they are freed to find their own way to healing and the natural expression of who they were born to be. The essence of this work is to learn to resonate with ourselves and others so that our foundation and generous selves are unearthed from implicit entanglements and supported to be as integrated and complex as we are supposed to be. DURING THIS ... Read More ›

Friday, March 27th, 2020, 9:00 a.m. - Sunday, March 29th, 2020, 4:00 p.m. Location: The Hutchinson Center THE HEALING POWER OF RESONANT LANGUAGE AND NONVIOLENT COMMUNICATION WITH SARAH PEYTON, CNVC TRAINER & INTERNATIONALLY PUBLISHED AUTHOR DID YOU KNOW THAT…. The human brain is able to grow and become more integrated no matter what your age or past experiences? the language we use can transform the way the brain holds it memories every experience of effective ... Read More ›

Event by Co-Occurring Collaborative Serving Maine The overlap between brain injury and mental health and/or substance use disorders is common. Any one of these issues can affect the recovery of any of the other conditions. Unfortunately, brain injuries are not always recognized and addressed during assessment and treatment in the behavioral health field. What type of training is needed for the behavioral health provider? How can they work more collaboratively with colleagues in the brain injury ... Read More ›

Please go to the Portland Press Herald to read the full article.  The nonprofit says Maine's stagnant Medicaid reimbursement rates led to mounting losses that forced it to close the program that assists adult mental health patients with daily tasks. By: Joe Lawlor, Staff Writer ~~Excerpt Shalom House says Maine’s stagnant Medicaid reimbursement rates have forced the Portland nonprofit to shut down a support service it provides to 170 mental health patients. The service – called ... Read More ›

Please go to the Bangor Daily News to read the full article.  By: Willis Ryder Arnold, Maine Public ~~Excerpt Alyssa, 25, is also in recovery from meth use, which she said helped create a false sense of connection with other people. But now she’s found real connections with others through recovery. “Having a community to help guide me to my best life and, like, hold my hand and love me when I can’t love myself has been a huge, huge part of, like, finding hope in this world,” she ... Read More ›

Please go to the Portland Press Herald to read the full article.  Some providers say the rates have been static for years, and are so low that services are at risk. By Joe Lawlor, Staff Writer ~~Excerpt The state will conduct a comprehensive review of its Medicaid reimbursement rates for treatment of mental health and substance abuse as well as for adults with intellectual disabilities and developmental disorders.     ... Read More ›