Our monthly Mental Health Matters column in Saco Bay News discusses the need for mental health services in Maine and how, for many, cost of treatment can be a barrier.

Preview:

‘While we’ve come a long way, mental health is still not treated on the same footing as physical health and as a result, it’s easy for people to fall through the cracks in the system. Last year, Sweetser provided nearly $1 million in care to individuals and families in need of mental health services who didn’t have the ability to pay. This included Mainers who are uninsured and underinsured. The last thing families should have to think about when it comes to addressing their own mental health challenges or the mental health needs of their children, is the cost of care being a barrier. The focus should be on healing and recovery. No one is turned away, but we can’t do it alone.’

READ FULL COLUMN HERE

Sweetser’s Senior Director of Public Relations & Advancement Justin Chenette appeared on Celeste Baranyi’s radio show ‘Perspectives’ airing on WBLM, WCYY, WJBQ, and WHOM stations. Topic: Mental Health Awareness Month and the resources available to Mainers.

Sweetser’s Dr. Marc Kaplan appeared on the 94.9 WHOM Morning Show with Lori and Jeff to talk about mental health.

The Portland Sea Dogs held a Mental Health Awareness Night and Sweetser was proud to participate. Our CFO John McAnuff even threw out the first pitch. Events like this help reduce the stigma attached to seeking support and treatment.

Sweetser has started the Mental Health Matters Fund to ensure treatment is available regardless of someone’s ability to pay. Last year, Sweetser provided nearly $1 million in care to individuals and families in need of mental health services who didn’t have the ability to pay. This included Mainers who are uninsured and underinsured.

The cost of care for addressing one’s mental health challenges or the mental health needs of one’s children, should not be a barrier to getting treatment. The focus should be on healing and recovery. While no one is turned away, but Sweetser can’t do it alone.

Our new PSA has been running on multiple TV stations across the state and we are in the midst of our spring fundraising campaign. Help encourage individuals in your life to donate therapy to a Maine family in need via the Mental Health Matters Fund by texting the word ‘SWEETSER’ to 366283 or by visiting https://sweetser.ejoinme.org/mentalhealthmatters.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and Mike Andrick, Sweetser’s Senior Director of Adult Crisis & Residential Services, highlighted the resources and support that are available to someone who is in crisis on our weekly WMTW segment, Mental Health Moment.

Mother’s Day celebrates the vital role that mothers play and is a day to express love and appreciation, but it’s not a day that usually addresses the toll that motherhood can take on women. Sweetser’s Chief Growth Officer Joanne Grant was a guest on Maine Public’s Maine Calling show to discuss the mental health concerns that come with being a mom, from post-partum depression to stress from juggling too many responsibilities.

Listen to: Motherhood & Mental Health

Sweetser Medical Director Dr. Marc Kaplan discusses collective trauma six months after the Lewiston shooting.

Sweetser participated in the Start Summit: Teen Mental Wellness event co-sponsored by Pen Bay Medical Center and Northeast University’s Roux Institute. It was held in Camden and provided an opportunity for more than 40 professionals to explore possible solutions to the growing mental health crisis. Sweetser’s President & CEO Jayne Van Bramer was a member of the panel of judges that also included Kelly Barton, president of Maine Behavioral Health and Jess Berry, founder of the Midcoast Community Collaborative.

News Story: https://knox.villagesoup.com/news/community/pen-bay-northeast-university-hold-teen-mental-wellness-summit/article_dec22a5e-088c-11ef-b322-f721d8a8a06c.html

Sweetser’s Affiliate Manager Jan Dubois appeared on our weekly Mental Health Moment segment on WMTW to talk about the benefits of going into private practice.

Learn more about the benefits of becoming an independent affiliate: https://www.sweetser.org/affiliatenetwork/

Sweetser was also featured in a recent news story on WMTW about how we are addressing workforce challenges in the field.

In the 6 months since the tragedy in Lewiston, collective trauma can still be something people experience and need help with. Sweetser team members Dr. Marc Kaplan, Wendy Anders, and Steve Nesky spoke to Amanda Hill at NEWS CENTER Maine about how to process these feelings and the resources available. Together, we remain Lewiston Strong.