MEGAN GRAY, STAFF WRITER Nonprofit leaders say they are following the recommendations from public health officials, while still trying to deliver essential aid to people across Maine. “Being a nonprofit, we don’t have big reserves,...“To say it’s keeping me up at night is an understatement because of the uncertainly of it all, how long it will go on. What are the people that we’re serving supposed to do? So we’re anxious to see what comes out of the federal government and how that response ... Read More ›
The Coronavirus Poses New Challenges For Those Recovering From Addiction
The isolation required as part of the state’s efforts to slow the spread of the new coronavirus is a challenge for many of us, but particularly difficult for people dealing with addiction, those in recovery, and for the providers who are treating these populations. One of the established principles of getting people with substance use disorder into treatment - and keeping them healthy - is founded on connection and communication. “Call, use the phone, ask for help. Say ‘I don’t know, can ... Read More ›
‘Hope vs. hopelessness’ – navigating mental health diagnoses in the time of coronavirus
BY ERIC RUSSELL STAFF WRITER Those with existing mental health diagnoses are at higher risk of suicide and those with lower-level anxiety or depression might see their symptoms worsen in a time of great stress and uncertainty For someone with a mental health diagnosis, disruption in routine or ability to continue treatment can be dangerous, which means the upheaval caused by the current coronavirus outbreak has put mental health providers on heightened alert. The state has seen ... Read More ›
There Are Signs That Anxiety Is Rising In Maine, As Cases Of COVID-19 Increase
Those who work in the field of mental health say that just as cases of COVID-19 are on the rise in Maine, so is the level of anxiety. Calls to both the state crisis line and the non-crisis "warm" line are up. Read/Hear complete NPR Report here ... Read More ›
Health Care Repercussions of COVID-19: How Are Non-Coronavirus Medical Issues Being Addressed?
With medical attention focused on the coronavirus, and concerns about spread of the disease curtailing interactions between patients and health care providers, we discuss how non-coronavirus health care is being affected. How are mental health treatment, dental care, and other medical issues being addressed? Read/Hear Complete NPR Report Here ... Read More ›
The Census 2020 – Let’s get Counted Maine!
What is the Census? Alliance Census 2020 Facts Link Here What is the Census and Why is it Important? The census is conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau every ten years. The Constitution requires that every person in the United States be counted—adults, children and babies, citizens, immigrants, and anyone living in this country. States use census data to determine representation in Congress. States and localities also use census data to plan where health clinics, schools, and roads will be ... Read More ›
State Task Force Urges Maine to Phase Out Only Juvenile Facility
Please go to Public News Service to read the full article. By: Laura Rosbrow-Telem ~~Excerpt Malory Shaughnessy is the executive director of the Alliance for Addiction and Mental Health Services in Maine and a task force member. Shaughnessy says one of the biggest challenges is the low level of Medicaid reimbursement for behavioral-health treatment. "We have empty beds in our residential treatment units because reimbursement rates have not kept up and they cannot afford to hire ... Read More ›
$6M grant will help Maine fight opioid crisis through employment training
Please go to Mainebiz to read the full article. By: Staff ~~Excerpt Up to $6.28 million in federal funds awarded this week will go toward building employment and expanding life-changing services in areas of Maine affected by the opioid crisis. With the immediate release of over $2 million, the U.S. Department of Labor grant will create and expand workforce development initiatives aimed at providing education, training, employment and supportive services to those in recovery from ... Read More ›
Maine DHHS is resisting bids to fully fund waitlists as 2020 budget plan advances
Please go to Bangor Daily News to read the full article. By: Caitlin Andrews, BDN Staff ~~Excerpt AUGUSTA, Maine — Gov. Janet Mills dedicated parts of her $127 million spending plan toward programs in the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, but her administration is resisting bigger-money bids in the Legislature to fund expensive waitlists. At the same time, the Mills administration has been resisting two legislative efforts to inject money into expensive programs with ... Read More ›
Maine doesn’t need more studies on jail overcrowding. It needs action.
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 ›