Mental health and substance use treatment providers came together to call on the Legislature and the Governor to fund various reforms to improve Maine’s behavioral health system. Sweetser’s President & CEO discusses those reforms on WMTW’s Mental Health Moment segment.
We are encouraging the public to contact their Senator or Representative and encourage them to support the Maine Resiliency Package.
“The University of New England School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, in collaboration with mental health provider Sweetser, hosted a naloxone training workshop on the Biddeford Campus. Lacey Bailey, LADC, B.S., a licensed alcohol and drug counselor and Know Your OPTIONS clinician at Sweetser, led the workshop, which drew more than 60 participants, including students, faculty, professional staff, and members of the broader community.”
Sweetser’s President & CEO Jayne Van Bramer was the guest on our weekly TV segment ‘Mental Health Moment’ on WMTW Channel 8. She discussed the important role mental health should play in the workplace.
Jayne also penned this op-ed for MaineBiz magazine on the same topic. Click below to read the full article.
READ OP-ED: How to make mental health a workplace priority _ Mainebiz.biz
Mike Andrick has joined Sweetser as Senior Director of Adult Crisis & Residential Services. In this role, he oversees mobile crisis services, adult crisis stabilization units, crisis aftercare programs, OPTIONS, and adult PNMI.
He is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and has presented at numerous professional conferences during his career. Prior to joining Sweetser, he served as Director of Outreach & DMH MATCH Services at Pine Street Inn.
Mike holds a master’s degree in counseling and education from the University of Maine, Orono.
Sweetser President & CEO Jayne Van Bramer comments on the latest Deadly Force Review Panel’s mental health recommendations.
Most pet owners know about the joys that come with sharing their lives with their furry companions. However, did you know they can also improve our mental health?
Caring for a pet can help us…
In this past week’s Mental Health Moment segment on WMTW Channel 8, Sweetser’s Senior Director of Public Relations & Advancement Justin Chenette breaks down the benefits.
A new mental health and substance use clinic has opened up in Sanford thanks to a $4 million grant from the Federal government.
Behavioral health provider, Sweetser, received the award from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to open up a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) in Sanford, one of the first in York County.
CCBHC’s are designed to increase timely access to wraparound 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’re at and in communities that desperately need more services,” said Wendy Anders, Sweetser’s Senior Director of Community Services. “This clinic will reduce barriers to accessing services in the region and will create a one stop shop for meeting various levels of patient needs.”
The 4-year grant will help Sweetser provide services to around 750 more children and families.
Photo Caption: Sweetser’s ribbon cutting opening up their new clinic in Sanford featuring State Rep. Anne-Marie Mastraccio, Sanford City Councilor Peter Tranchemontagne, County Commissioner Donna Ring, Sanford – Springvale Chamber of Commerce President Rick Stanley, Chamber Ambassadors, and Sweetser staff
Services include, but are not limited to:
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.
President Biden’s administration has identified this particular model as a priority for increasing access to mental health and recovery services.
“Sweetser successfully launched a clinic in Brunswick serving the Midcoast region, and just last year were given additional funds to expand that program,” says Sweetser’s President & CEO Jayne Van Bramer. “It’s clear Sweetser is seen as the organization best positioned to lead the development of CCBHCs across the state. The goal is to have a CCBHC in every county.”
The new clinic is located at 863 Main Street in Sanford. If someone is in need of services, Sweetser’s clinic will be offering special walk-in hours Mondays and Wednesdays from 10AM to 3PM, allowing for same day access for treatment assessment. Otherwise, people are encouraged to call the PromiseLine at 1-800-434-3000 or email info@sweetser.org to setup an appointment.
Maine’s behavioral health community, including Sweetser, came together at the State House to call for funding the Maine Resiliency Package that includes several key mental health priorities. The time for urgent action is now.
Priorities include:
• Expand access to services through workforce investments
• Enhance mobile crisis response
• Expand number of crisis receiving centers (as mentioned in the Governor’s State of the State)
• Fill in the gaps of mental health care continuum for special populations
• Support best practice models of care
• Fund evidence-based practices and preventative supports for youth, like our LD 2002 on school-based therapy
Alaina Knox is our new Director of Recovery Services overseeing peers who work on the Peer Support Line, in the Emergency Department, Peer Training Network and Integrated Teams.
In this role, she promotes professional development and growth of Sweetser’s Peer Support Team. Alaina joined Sweetser in June 2023 as a Training Specialist, coordinating educational courses for Peer Support Specialists throughout the state. Alaina has years of experience working in behavioral health and Substance Abuse Disorder recovery programs.
She has been in leadership roles at both residential and outpatient programs in Maine and Pennsylvania. In her free time, Alaina enjoys connecting with loved ones and spending time outdoors.