Sanford area groups raise $20,000 to support mental health

Posted February 28, 2023 by Beth Randall

From left to right: Katie Shaw (Elks), Bob Shaw (Elks), Steve McGrath (Sweetser board member), Jayne Van Bramer (Sweetser President & CEO), Marise Anagnost (Elks), Denise Labbe (Elks), Karen Staples (American Legion), Kelly Thayer (Sweetser Development Director), Jodie Hansen (Sweetser Donor Engagement & Events Manager)

SANFORD, MAINE (February 28^th, 2023) – The Sanford and Springvale communities came together to raise $20,000 to support mental health services throughout Maine.

Jamming for Mental Health Awareness & Suicide Prevention is an annual February event at the Sanford Elks Lodge that is the culmination of multiple fundraisers throughout the year to benefit Sweetser’s behavioral health programs.

First held in 2019 after Denise Labbe became Exalted Ruler of Sanford Elks Lodge, the annual event is a joint effort of the AMVETS with Son’s & Ladies Auxiliary Post #3, American Legion T.W. Cole Post #19, Sanford Elks Lodge #1470, Sanford VFW & Auxiliary Post #9935, Springvale Social Club & Knights of Columbus, and Wolves Social Club.

Labbe came up with the idea to focus on mental health because of firsthand experiences within her own family and because she recognized that mental illness is often not discussed despite its prevalence. After participating in a Day of Caring event volunteering for Sweetser, she was put in touch with Jodie Hansen, their Donor Engagement & Events Manager.

“My goal is really to bring it to the forefront so people aren’t ashamed to ask for help, or discuss it with another person,” said Labbe. “It just may save a life.”

Covid put the event on hiatus in 2021 and 2022, making 2023 the third time the event has been held. This year’s event proved the most financially successful to date.

“This is my third fundraiser for Sweetser,” she stated. “They are so hands-on in working with us, allocating moneys for the Sanford/Springvale area. That’s where we wanted our efforts, so it really has worked well.”

Bands performed throughout the day, including Hellraizers, C4, Wacko Magnet, Middleman and Wiretap. The event also featured raffles and t-shirt sales, as well as speakers who have lived experience with mental health.

For more information about Sweetser services, visit sweetser.org. If you are interested in volunteering or fundraising for Sweetser, please reach out to Jodie Hansen at 207-294-4476.

Legislature recognizes Eating Disorders Awareness Week

Posted February 28, 2023 by Justin Chenette

AUGUSTA, MAINE (February 28^th, 2023) – The Maine Legislature has declared Feb. 27- March 5 Eating Disorders Awareness Week, bringing the issue to the forefront in Maine.

The resolution, passed today, was introduced by Senator Donna Bailey and will bring important awareness to the issue of eating disorders, which impacts at least 9% of Americans at some point in their lifetime.

It calls for a group approach to awareness with collaborations between people from all walks of life to encourage open and honest discussions around eating disorders that will potentially save lives.

“It’s critical that we do our part to destigmatize eating disorders and other treatable mental and physical illnesses,” says Senator Donna Bailey, sponsor of the bill. “This disorder doesn’t discriminate. It can impact anyone. The legislature aims to prioritize mental health this session.”

This issue is important now more than ever, with the National Eating Disorders Helpline seeing a 107% increase in calls since the COVID-19 pandemic. Locally, Sweetser’s New England Eating Disorder or NEED program aims to help individuals of any age struggling with eating disorders. Sweetser’s NEED Director Lindsay Susi knows the severe impact this has on those with mental illness.

“For some, food and body insecurities can feel insurmountable,” Susi said. “If you find that you, or someone you love, are struggling with concerns related to food and body, and you are looking for a professional level of support, call 207-294-4522. You are not alone. Non-judgmental help is available.”

Last year alone, Sweetser served 237 individuals with eating disorders. The NEED team provides individual, family, group and nutritional therapies as well as psychiatry and coordination of medical care with primary care providers. For more information or to begin the eating disorder recovery, visit: https://www.sweetser.org/need.

Senator Donna Bailey introducing the resolution

FULL RESOLUTION:

JOINT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING FEBRUARY 27 TO MARCH 5, 2023

AS EATING DISORDERS AWARENESS WEEK

WHEREAS, eating disorders are serious but treatable mental and physical illnesses that can affect people of all genders, ages, races, religions, ethnicities, sexual orientations, body shapes and weights; and

WHEREAS, while no one knows for sure what causes eating disorders, a growing consensus suggests that it is a range of biological, psychological and sociocultural factors; and

WHEREAS, in the United States, 9% of people will experience an eating disorder at some point in their lives; and

WHEREAS, eating disorders have the 2nd highest mortality rate of all mental health disorders; and

WHEREAS, the National Eating Disorders Association helpline has experienced a 107% increase in contacts since the start of the COVID‑19 pandemic; and

WHEREAS, Eating Disorders Awareness Week is a collective effort of individuals from every walk of life, including persons with lived experience, family members and friends; students, educators and coaches; and professionals, health care providers and organizations committed to raising awareness of eating disorders; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED: That We, the Members of the One Hundred and Thirty‑first Legislature now assembled in the First Regular Session, on behalf of the people we represent, take this opportunity to recognize February 27 to March 5, 2023 as Eating Disorders Awareness Week and encourage the citizens of Maine to support the annual awareness campaign to educate the public about the realities of eating disorders and to provide hope, support and visibility to individuals and families affected by eating disorders.

About Sweetser:
Sweetser is a behavioral health nonprofit that provides evidence-based treatment, support and hope through a statewide network of community-based mental health, recovery, and educational services.

Podcast Episode 4: What parents say

Posted February 23, 2023 by Beth Randall

On the fourth episode of our podcast “Not Now, Maybe Later”, hear an interview with a real mom talking about her family’s life raising kids, now teenagers, with different but significant mental health issues. Topics covered include how this parent views privacy versus safety when it comes to her children’s mental health, their successes and struggles trying to get therapy and support. Listen below…

Community Mental Health Services Awareness Day

Posted February 15, 2023 by Beth Randall

Friday, February 10th was Community Mental Health Services Awareness Day in Maine! The legislature passed a resolution making it possible. In conjunction with the added awareness, behavioral health providers across the state held legislative tours to talk about the importance of our services and the road ahead for the entire system with important legislation pending this session.

We’d like to thank the following lawmakers for joining us at our special purpose school on our Saco campus:

Senator Henry Ingwersen

Representative Lori Gramlich

Representative Holly Sargent

Representative Gerry Runte

Representative Daniel Hobbs

The following Cumberland County lawmakers visited our Portland location:

Representative Charles Skold

Representative Art Bell

Representative Annie Graham

Representative Steve Moriarty

Representative Kelly Noonan Murphy

Representative Poppy Arford

We deeply appreciate their leadership and commitment to behavioral health.

Adult Residential Services Expansion in Belfast

Posted February 3, 2023 by Justin Chenette

Sweetser is excited to announce that we have converted our Belfast campus into offering adult residential services. Like our Waterfall Place in Topsham, we will now be providing Private Non-Medical Institution (PNMI) that serves adults with major mental illness in Belfast.

This program is designed to build skills for a successful transition to independent and/or less supportive living environment. Clinical oversight, management and intervention are delivered with a focus on increasing independence and self-sufficiency, including functional skills, increasing self-understanding, crisis prevention and self-management.

This continues our focus on expansion of behavioral health services throughout the Midcoast.

Learn more about our program here: https://www.sweetser.org/programs-services/services-for-adults/residential-services-for-adults

Brunswick CCBHC in the News

Posted February 3, 2023 by Justin Chenette

This past month, we publicly announced the expansion of our Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) in Brunswick, thanks to a $4 million Federal grant.

Our President & CEO Jayne Van Bramer joined our Medical Director Dr. Marc Kaplan, CCBHC Senior Director Danielle Parent, and CCBHC Clinical Director Joey Rossignol in speaking with various news outlets about this important expansion of service throughout the Midcoast.

Newscenter Maine

WMTW

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Bonus Podcast Episode: Common Teen Therapies

Posted January 21, 2023 by Beth Randall

As part of the third episode of “Not Now, Maybe Later”, here is some bonus material for you. Listen here to learn about five of the more common therapies for teens: CBT, DBT, EMDR, Creative Therapies, Equine Therapy. Great resources for more information on types of therapy are: goodtherapy.org and verywellmind.com. This podcast is a project supported by Sweetser.

Saco Bay Sunset Rotary Club and Sweetser hold Narcan training in OOB

Posted January 20, 2023 by Justin Chenette

OLD ORCHARD BEACH – The Rotary Club of Saco Bay Sunset hosted a free Narcan training session at Old Orchard Beach High School last week. The event drew nearly 70 attendees.

Lacey Bailey, a Sweetser Drug & Alcohol Clinician and the York County liaison for the Overdose Prevention Through Intensive Outreach Naloxone and Safety (OPTIONS) initiative led the training.

Bailey’s presentation outlined the symptoms of an overdose, as well as the steps for administering Naloxone, the medication in NARCAN, which can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. If administered in time, the nasal spray can save a life. Attendees left with two free doses of the medication.

According to Saco Bay Sunset President Carol Marcotte, the club decided to host a training after Kennebunk Police Chief Bob MacKenzie spoke to them about opioid addiction.

“Substance use disorders affect people of all ages and all walks of life,” said Marcotte. “NARCAN trainings are crucial in helping recognize the signs of an opioid overdose and showing how to administer the drug that can reverse overdoses. Opioid overdose deaths have skyrocketed. It’s a mental health condition that can happen to anyone.”

The OPTIONS initiative at Sweetser is a partnership with the Maine Office of Behavioral Health to improve the health of Mainers who use substances by using harm reduction strategies, supporting recovery, and providing referrals for services.

“This is about reducing stigma and saving lives,” said Bailey. “People leave these trainings with a better understanding of the signs and symptoms of an overdose and are better prepared to assist with the proper tools and information.”

As part of the program, Sweetser has licensed behavioral health clinicians around the state who work with law enforcement agencies, emergency services, and community partners to engage in post-overdose follow-up and provide help with referrals, conduct community outreach, de-escalate behavioral health crises, provide short-term counseling interventions, and distribute Naloxone.

To request free Naloxone or to inquire about hosting a training in York County, contact Lacey Bailey at lmbailey@sweetser.org.

$4M Midcoast Expansion of Lifesaving Mental Health & Substance Use Services

Posted January 17, 2023 by Justin Chenette

BRUNSWICK (January 10^th, 2023) – The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration announced a $4 million grant to statewide mental health care provider Sweetser to expand their Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) in Brunswick.

Sweetser is currently the largest provider of mobile crisis services in Maine.

In 2021, Sweetser received a $2.9M grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to first establish these services for Sagadahoc County and parts of Cumberland, Lincoln and Androscoggin counties.

CCBHC’s are designed to increase timely access to mental health and substance use services in areas that otherwise lack accessibility. Services include 24/7 crisis response and medication-assisted treatment.

“We have to meet folks where they are at,” said Joey Rossignol, Clinical Director of the CCBHC. “Every single day we see the need for this type of program to be expanded to more communities. The need is great and the need is there. CCBHC reduces barriers to accessing services and creates a one stop shop for meeting various levels of patient acuity.”

Since its inception, this program has served more than 400 clients across the Midcoast. The additional $4M grant will allow Sweeter grow capacity and expand the number of clients they are able to serve.

Services include, but are not limited to:

Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Use Screening, Assessment and Diagnosis
• 24/7 Mobile Crisis Response & Crisis Stabilization
• Case Management Services (including Assertive Community Treatment)
• Peer Support Services
• Outpatient MH and SUD Treatment, including MAT (Medication-Assisted Treatment)

“More Midcoast Mainers will be able to access the timely help and support they need in their recovery journey because of this grant,” says Danielle Parent, Senior Director of the CCBHC. “This innovative model represents national best practice in delivering mental health and substance use care wherever the need is greatest. We’ve seen this model in other states be an effective tool in creating networks of support, treatment, and hope and Sweetser will continue leading the effort here in Maine.”

According to a 2022 CCBHC Impact Report, 2.1 million clients nationally are served by around 249 CCBHCs, a steep increase from 1.5 million in 2021. CCBHC status enables organizations to help over 900 more people per area than prior to this model being implemented, about a 23% increase.

CCBHCs have dramatically increased access to mental health and substance use disorder treatment, expanded states’ capacity to address the overdose crisis and established innovative partnerships with law enforcement, schools and hospitals to improve care, reduce recidivism and prevent hospital readmissions.

For more information on Sweetser’s CCBHC or to access services, please visit: https://www.sweetser.org/certified-community-behavioral-health-clinic/

About Sweetser:

Sweetser is a behavioral health nonprofit that provides evidence-based treatment, support and hope through a statewide network of community-based mental health, recovery, and educational services.

Sweetser Welcomes Two New Board Members

Posted January 11, 2023 by Beth Randall

Sweetser is beginning 2023 with two new additions to our Board of Directors—Craig Alie and Anna-Marie DiPasquale.

Craig Alie

Craig Alie lives in Portsmouth, NH and is Chief Revenue Officer at Computershare. He earned a BA in economics at Colby College. Craig brings his experience drawn from Board roles with Agassiz Village in Poland, ME (past VP & Chair of Development Committee), SEED in Dover, NH and as a Strategic Adviser to CEO and the board with Gather in Portsmouth, NH. Welcome, Craig!

Anna-Marie DiPasquale

Anna-Marie DiPasquale lives in Biddeford and comes to us with a background as a social worker. She earned a BA in Psychology from New England College and an MA in School of Social Service Administration from the University of Chicago. She is also an active volunteer with Foundation AHLE, an orphanage in Honduras. Welcome, Anna-Marie!

Watch this video to learn more about Craig and Anna-Maria: