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 ›

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 ›

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 ›

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 ›

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 ›

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 ›