Beach Bum Monday’s in May with Aroma Joe’s

Posted by Jessica Tornatore

Relax with a Beach Bum – and Support Mental Health
Mondays in May
1 Moody Street, Saco | 933 Portland Road, Saco
100% of every Beach Bum sold

This May, Aroma Joe’s is partnering with Sweetser to support mental health and recovery services in our communities.

On each Monday in May, all proceeds from the “Beach Bum” drink at participating locations will be donated to Sweetser, helping fund critical programs for those in need.

It’s a simple way to make a meaningful impact – while also taking a moment to recharge.

Participating locations include select stores in Saco.

Oxford Casino Gives Back to Sweetser

Posted by Jessica Tornatore

We appreciate Oxford Casino for helping us to raise over $5,000 to support our programs here at Sweetser!

Pictured left to right: Brooke Poulin Promotions Supervisor, Sara Towle Sweetser Development Office Manager, Jodie Hansen Sweetser Director of Development, and Sara Fordham Casino Host.

TV Segment: Maine’s Mental Health Funding Cliff

Posted by Jessica Tornatore

Maine’s mental health safety net is at a critical crossroads as federal funding for Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics begins to expire. In this WMTW Mental Health Moment, Sweetser CFO John McAnuff explains how the CCBHC model—through Sweetser’s Hope & Healing Centers in Sanford, Brunswick, and Lewiston—has expanded same-day, walk‑in access to mental health and substance use care for adults and children across Maine.

He also discusses why proposed legislation, LD 721, is essential to sustaining these services, protecting access for uninsured and underinsured Mainers, and strengthening the state’s behavioral health system. Learn what’s at stake and how you can help urge lawmakers to fund this vital investment in mental health care.

You can learn more about our Hope & Healing Centers here.

Serving Hope: Pizza By Alex Biddeford

Posted by Jessica Tornatore

Join us Wednesday, April 15th for our Serving Hope fundraiser at Pizza By Alex at 92 Alfred Street in Biddeford.

For every pizza sold from 11:00am-9:00pm, $1 goes to supporting youth mental health in our communities.

Grab some pizza from Pizza By Alex to support our critical mission.

In The News: Push for PRTF Funding

Posted by Jessica Tornatore

Our efforts to construct Maine’s only youth psychiatric residential treatment facility (PRTF) on our Saco campus made the headlines across multiple TV stations and newspapers last week. We are in the final weeks of the legislative session in Augusta and are pushing for the state to fund the remaining gap to cover capital construction costs. We highlighted the need to pass the Governor’s supplemental budget, which does include $3.4 million specifically for our project.

Check out the videos and links to articles below…

WGME Channel 13

NEWS CENTER Maine Channel 6

Press Herald

CLICK TO READ FULL ARTICLE

TV Segment: PRTF Needs Further State Support

Posted by Jessica Tornatore

In this past week’s Mental Health Moment segment on WMTW Channel 8, Sweetser’s President & CEO, Jayne Van Bramer, discussed the urgent need for Maine’s first Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF). Jayne highlighted the need for additional state support, given the $3.4 million gap required to begin full construction. These resources are in the Governor’s supplemental budget, and this must pass to get this project across the finish line.

In The News: Sweetser Featured in Portland Press Herald Article on AI Regulation

Posted by Jessica Tornatore

This article focuses on Maine legislative bill LD 2082. This bill would prohibit a licensed mental health provider’s use of AI in mental healthcare practice.

Here’s an excerpt quoting the Chief Program Officer, Kristie Worster:

‘Sweetser, a Maine mental health services provider with centers in Lewiston, Sanford and Brunswick, has implemented an AI software called Eleos that transcribes conversations with patients without recording or storing the data. She said it helps therapists accurately document sessions. “Imagine a therapist not looking at you, in a session, and typing into a computer. It’s a horrible experience for people,” Worster said. “This really has allowed clients to just have the therapist focused on them and to not have even five to 10 minutes taken away from them in the session.”

Read the full article here.