We appreciate your continued support Marc Motors Nissan! Thank you to everyone who got their oil changed last month in support of our mission, raising over $2,000 for mental health!
Marc Motors Nissan Raises Over $2,000 for Sweetser
TV Segment: Maine’s Mental Health Funding Cliff
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
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
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
TV Segment: The Crucial Need for Children’s Residential Services
Children’s residential beds are disappearing across Maine. In this WMTW Mental Health Moment, Sweetser’s Chief Program Officer Kristie Worster breaks down what’s driving the crisis—and why lawmakers say action is needed now to prevent further closures.
TV Segment: PRTF Needs Further State Support
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
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.”
In The News: Sweetser School Featured in Portland Press Herald Article on Sugaring Season
Sweetser’s Special Purpose School was featured in a Portland Press Herald article highlighting how Maine students are learning how to make maple syrup.
Here’s an excerpt quoting the school’s Teacher BA, Julia Birtolo:
‘Sweetser students celebrate the sugaring season in a big way: They, too, enjoy the syrup over ice cream, and they cook with it— maple fudge, maple caramel, an especially awesome maple cookie sandwiched with maple cream. Every student who helped produce the syrup gets a small bottle of their own, which they can refill as much as they like, while supplies last. There’s a farmers breakfast and Maine Maple Monday, Sweetser’s twist on the state’s annual Maine Maple Sunday tradition. Moreover, bottles of the school-made syrup raffled off at a school fundraiser can fetch hundreds of dollars, said Birtolo, who started the maple-sugaring program around 1996 when she was hired as an ed tech.’
In The News: WGME Segment on Mobile Crisis Teams
A mental health crisis can happen anytime, anywhere. Sweetser’s Mobile Crisis Services provide immediate, on‑site support for children and adults in crisis—meeting people where they are to help stabilize situations and connect them to ongoing care. In this Spotlight on ME, WGME’s Adrienne Stein sits down with Sweetser’s Chief Growth Officer, Joanne Grant to discuss how Sweetser’s Mobile Crisis teams can help Mainers.
If you or someone you love needs help, call or text 988—the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. In Maine, Sweetser responds 24/7 across much of the state.
Help is here. You’re not alone.
TV Segment: Fatal Overdoses Rising in Maine’s Senior Population
Fatal overdoses are declining in Maine—but rising among older adults. In this WMTW Mental Health Moment, Sweetser’s OPTIONS Liaison Johnny Loftus explains why seniors are struggling with substance use and where they can find help.
Interested individuals can self-refer or seek a free prescreen by visiting the 329 Bath Road location, calling 800-434-3000, or emailing info@sweetser.org.