Dignity, respect and compassion

Even in the most challenging of times,

including now during a pandemic not experienced in a lifetime,

it does not go unnoticed how we treat others.

Sweetser values dignity, respect and compassion for all people.

 Our caring and compassionate staff light the way

to hope and healing in the communities we serve.

Please take a moment of silence for all those who are oppressed, discriminated against, treated unjustly, treated inhumanely, psychologically and physically hurt and worse. Racism has risen to the surface of everything in our country and now is the time for shared responsibility in making our world truly better by ending discrimination in our country.  

“No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.” — Nelson Mandela, from his memoir titled Long Walk to Freedom

Sweetser stands with those peacefully protesting for racial justice in our country.  We will challenge ourselves to seek to learn how we can better support the communities we serve.  Our newspapers, airwaves, inboxes and social media feeds are filled with strong, passionate statements of solidarity – and ours is one more. Our voices are stronger when we gather them together. Let’s resolve to turn our words into actions of undoing racism and make our country a better place for ALL people to be. 

As Sweetser has for its long history, we are here to care for those who have experienced trauma.  Meeting the mission of our organization is a way we can be part of the healing that must take place.  Now, more than ever, we must live up to Sweetser’s vision of helping people create promising futures.

Online Tool Supports Better Mental Health During COVID-19

During Mental Health Month in May, Sweetser has partnered with Lee and Amanda Prior, the owners of 10 Domino’s Pizza stores in Maine, to deliver a special message: that support is available in these challenging times. Through the delivery of thousands of flyers on pizza boxes, the community mental health provider invites individuals and families to try the free and confidential online wellness tool, myStrength.

“This self-help site is a great resource and complement to the clinical work we are doing to help improve the overall health and wellbeing for people in communities we serve,” said Sweetser Medical Director Marc Kaplan, DO. “myStrength supports the whole person: mind, body and spirit.”

Other 24/7 support is available for Maine residents: the Maine Crisis Line at 1-888-568-1112; and the Intentional Warm Line at 1-866-771-9276.

myStrength has online exercises to help cope with daily challenges including during COVID-19. Check out the links below, or visit sweetser.org:

Staying Connected While Social Distancing

Managing Time at Home with the Kids

Parenting in Challenging Times

Keeping Your Relationship Strong

Changing Plans and Handling Disappointment

Coping Skills

Sweetser is a nonprofit community mental health provider with a statewide network of care for mental and behavioral health, developmental, and educational support for children, families and adults. The organization is the mobile crisis services provider in more than half of the counties in Maine. Visit sweetser.org for more information.

Domino’s stores owned by Lee and Amanda Prior include: 496 Stillwater Ave., Old Town; 6 Clinton St., Bangor; 42 Elm St., Waterville; 220 Park St, Rockland; 974 Main St., Sanford; 621 Main St, Gorham; 58 Ossipee Trail, Standish; 14 Heathwood Dr, Windham; 379 Main St., Presque Isle; and 127 North St, Houlton.

Intentional Warm Line Staffed for COVID-19 Response

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Intentional Warm Line has increased staff statewide by 60% to support all residents of Maine. It’s more important than ever to connect those in recovery from mental illness with the support they need. Staffed 24/7 – peer to peer phone support is available for adults by calling toll-free from anywhere in Maine at 1-866-771-9276 (WARM).

Sweetser/CDC TV Ads: Help is available

Beginning in April 2020, Sweetser and the Maine Center for Disease Control & Prevention began running ads promoting help for those who need it. One ad promotes the Maine Crisis Line and the Suicide Safer Care Training Portal, and the other promotes the Maine Crisis Line and the Intentional Warm Line.

Maine Crisis Line 24/7: 1-888-568-1112

Intentional Warm Line 24/7: 1-866-771-9276

Suicide Safer Care Training Portal

 

 

 

New England Eating Disorders Program provides telehealth services

We are proud to provide high quality, specialized eating disorder treatment using HIPAA-compliant telehealth methods to support our patients and their families.

In our telehealth format for our therapeutic services and programs, we uphold the utmost safety standards for our patients, their families, and our staff. This includes our telehealth partial hospitalization program (PHP), intensive outpatient program (IOP), outpatient therapy program, and evaluative services.

As a result of providing our programs via telehealth, our partial hospitalization program will be offered for 5 hours daily and no off-campus housing options will be available at this time.

For more information about the NEED program, please contact our intake office at 207.294.4522.

Sanford civic organizations raise money for suicide prevention/awareness

Jamming for Suicide Prevention & Awareness and other events hosted in February by Sanford civic groups raised a total of $15,333 for Sweetser programs.

Each organization held their own fundraiser and it culminated with a benefit concert Feb. 29 with performances from Whiskey Bent & Hell Hounds, Texas Pete, Southbound, Barfly’s, Stone Free and Northern Charm at the Sanford Elks Lodge.

We are so appreciative of the amazing volunteers who dedicated their time creating and hosting this fundraiser on behalf of suicide prevention/awareness: AmVets Post 3, Sanford Elks Lodge #1470, Sanford VFW & Auxiliary Post #9935, and Wolves Club. Thank you so much!