On Sweetser’s Saco campus we have day treatment services at our Special Purpose K-12 school, which can provide comprehensive family, individual and group therapy with individualized special education for students needing an out-of-district placement for serious emotional disturbances. Sweetser’s Day Treatment Clinician Jessica Macomber was interviewed by WMTW Channel 8 about the different types of therapy and services we provide families.
Watch the full segment below:
What an incredible day! Our 36th annual Sweetser / Jack Chevrolet Golf Classic was a resounding success. We matched last year’s record-breaking total of nearly $113,000.
We want to especially acknowledge our presenting sponsor Jack Chevrolet, for their tremendous show of generosity! Ira, and now David Rosenberg and his family, have partnered with Sweetser for over two decades. Their support has never wavered and continues a family tradition of enriching the lives of the communities served by the Rosenberg family’s car dealerships. The late Ira Jack Rosenberg, for whom this tournament is dedicated, was truly a Sweetser champion. Pictured here: Jack Chevrolet General Manager Mike Gibel and Sweetser’s Jayne Van Bramer, Jodie Hansen, and Justin Chenette.
The tournament would not have been successful without our team of dedicated volunteers who brought enthusiasm and bright spirits to the course:
We also want to thank our corporate sponsored teams for their strong support of our mission:
We are beyond grateful for each of you. Your support not only made this tournament possible but also strengthened our community. Thank you for being the driving force behind this success!
Check out our photo slideshow of our awesome teams…
Sweetser’s President & CEO Jayne Van Bramer was honored to be a panelist at this year’s Mainebiz Health Care Forum in Freeport that brought together business, HR, and mental health leaders to discuss how employers can work to promote employee health and safety. Sweetser joined with fellow panelists from: MEMIC, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Systems Engineering, and SoulBeing. The forum was moderated by Kim Anania, President & CEO at KMA Human Resources Consulting. The topic? “Workplace Safety, Wellness, and Mental Health: The Business Role in Supporting Employee Well-Being.”
Sweetser’s team was out in full force at Brunswick Pride! Always such a wonderful event to showcase our love for our LGBTQ+ community.
We need connection in our lives. Research shows that 1 in 3 Americans experience loneliness, a factor linked to mental health challenges such as depression and anxiety. Our Senior Director of Public Relations & Advancement, Justin Chenette, spoke to WMTW on their Mental Health Moment segment to discuss the topic and ways individuals can cope.
To combat loneliness, consider these strategies:
💻 Limit screen time
🤝 Engage in volunteering
💡 Explore shared interests in a community
💚 Prioritize self-care & compassion
🗣 Connect with loved ones
💃 Cultivate a new hobby
🐱 Ponder pet ownership
During tough times, seeking professional help is crucial. Remember, reaching out is a sign of strength. You’re not alone. Support resources include:
☎️ Free Peer Support Line: 866-771-9276
📱 Suicide & Crisis Hotline: 988 (Call/text)
📞 Ongoing services: 1-800-434-3000
When is the right time to give your child a cellphone — and how do you know they’re truly ready? It’s one of the most common and complicated questions parents face. Sweetser’s Chief Growth Officer Joanne Grant appeared on WGME’s Raising ME podcast, hosted by Adrienne Stein, to discuss real-life examples and tips for parents to consider.
Sweetser staff hosted a resource table at the Sea Dogs Mental Health Awareness Night at Hadlock Field in Portland. With doors open to the public at 4:30pm and the game start time at 6pm, Sweetser and other wellness organizations had the opportunity to share mental health advice and connect fans to treatment. The game ended with the first fireworks show of the season.
Events like this help reduce the stigma attached to seeking support and treatment and create a sense of community for those in recovery.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month and our Senior Director of Public Relations & Advancement, Justin Chenette, appeared on Newsradio WGAN‘s Maine Points to talk about the important work Sweetser is doing to reduce stigma and increase access to mental health across our state.
Take a listen: https://wgan.com/podcasts/102771-2/
This May marks the 1-year anniversary of the Child Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) program! Since its launch, the ACT Team has supported 33 youth on their mental health journeys, successfully discharged 11 clients, with 9 stepping down to a less acute level of care, and 2 entering residential programs where they can continue their progress in a supportive environment.
Over the past year, we’ve expanded our staffing and introduced specialized roles to more effectively meet the needs of both older and younger youth. This is demonstrated in the way that our older participants benefit from our Youth Peer Support and Employment Specialists, while younger youth and their families often thrive through the guidance of our Behavioral Health Specialists and Family Support Specialists.
Wendy Anders – Senior Director
Taylor Paquin – Clinical Supervisor
Sonya Hawkins – Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Eve Palmatier – Team Clinician
Arie Salisbury – Case Manager
Kayli Gertsen – Behavioral Health Professional
James Howard – Employment Specialist
Stephanie Lacourse – Nurse Care Manager
Becky Place & Tina Simas – Family Support Specialists
Hayleigh Bolduc & May Hohman – Youth Peer Support Specialists
Katreena Keefe – Program Administrative Support.
We are also grateful for our Relief Clinicians:
Willa Stockwell, Linda Berg, Meghan McCrillis, Chelsea Rose, Ellen Haney, and Terri Wentworth Bennett.
We appreciate our dedicated Relief Case Managers:
Laine Tapan Kane, Kris Gross, Meghan Kerry, Eileen Quimby, and Bridget Hester.
Thank you to all our staff, partners, youth, and families for making this year one of growth, resilience, and healing. We look forward to continuing this important work and celebrating many more milestones to come.
Thank you for reaching out to our Sweetser Access Team. Your message is important to us. We will respond to you as soon as possible during our regular business hours. You can also call our PromiseLine directly at 1-800-434-3000 to access services. If you are in crisis, please text or call 988.