Many have suffered hardships in our communities and will continue to do so until the COVID-19 pandemic is behind us. Northern Light Health is dedicated to supporting our communities by upholding our tradition of partnering with others to better serve and support Maine people in need. In the spirit of collaboration and in this time of extraordinary need, the statewide health delivery system made a $10,000 donation to the Alliance for Addiction and Mental Health Services, Maine (The Alliance). ... Read More ›
Portland Providers: Possible Cuts to Services Without State Help
Providers say mental health and substance-use services are even more critical during the pandemic, with more Mainers experiencing feelings of loneliness and isolation. (Chinnapong/Adobe Stock) December 8, 2020 Lily Bohlke, Public News Service - ME PORTLAND, Maine -- Some mental health and substance-use providers in Portland may need to cut down on services in the midst of the global pandemic after a ballot initiative passed in the city that requires employers to pay time-and-a-half in ... Read More ›
Alliance Joins Greater Portland Chamber of Commerce in Litigation Regarding New Portland Emergency Pay Increase
Alliance for Addiction and Mental Health Services, Maine Press Statement for immediate release 12.1.2020 Re: Portland Emergency Wage Provision Litigation Contact Malory Shaughnessy, Executive Director 207-242-0303, mshaughnessy@masap.org The Alliance for Addiction and Mental Health Services, Maine (the Alliance) is a statewide membership association for community behavioral health organizations providing services, programming and leadership to ensure that Mainers have full ... Read More ›
All Mainers need to join the struggle for stronger mental health care
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 ›
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 ›