In the latest Mental Health Moment, Sweetser Senior Director of PR & Advancement Justin Chenette talks with WMTW’s Jacob Murphy about how physical activity has been shown to have a positive impact on our mood. It can make us feel good. Even a short burst of movement can:

• Release endorphins to relieve stress
• Increase energy
• Improve sleep, which helps manage mood
• Create mental reset
• Outlet for negative emotions
• Improve self-esteem and mood
• Give you a sense of achievement

Appreciate all the staff and community members who came to our 2nd annual Skate for Sweetser event. Thanks to our corporate sponsors Martin’s Point and Benchmark Construction and donations made at the door, we raised $3,300 for Sweetser. We appreciate the Family Ice Center in Falmouth for donating the ice time.

Two in five Americans say their mood worsens in winter. Sweetser’s Medical Director Dr. Marc Kaplan appeared on WMTW’s Mental Health Moment segment to discuss ways to combat isolation during the winter months suggesting things like:

• Start a new hobby or project to work on
• Seek natural light like a short walk outdoors
• Maintain a regular sleep schedule
• Engage in physical activity
• Practice meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises

1 year anniversary! We opened our Sanford Hope & Healing Center, a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic, last January.

Since then, we have helped more Mainers get access to mental health and substance use treatment. We are so proud of our team in Sanford for their dedication to serving York County.

We accept walk-in clients without an appointment Mondays and Wednesdays 10AM – 3PM at 863 Main Street.

Here’s a look back at the grand opening:

Sweetser’s new young adult transitional residential program, Fresh Start, was recently featured in an online article for Saco Bay News. Check it out below.

Read the full article.

We were also mentioned the Courier Newspaper and on Press Herald’s website. See below…

Read the full article.

On January 9th, President & CEO Jayne Van Bramer spoke at the Lewiston/Auburn Rotary Club about the importance of reducing mental health stigma in our communities, and highlighted ways that Lewiston-Auburn residents can access recovery and behavioral health support through Sweetser’s new Hope and Healing Center in Lewiston. The Lewiston/Auburn Rotary marked the CEO’s first Rotary appearance of 2025, bringing in the New Year by addressing the growing need for mental health services with new members of Maine’s community.

Nearly a third of all people say they feel pressured to set New Year’s resolutions — with even higher numbers of younger people reporting these feelings. Sweetser Senior Director of PR & Advancement Justin Chenette appeared on WMTW’s Mental Health Moment to discuss how to rethink resolutions to look after your mental health.

News Center Maine interviewed Sweetser’s President & CEO Jayne Van Bramer about state plans to establish Maine’s first psychiatric residential treatment facility where youth with the most severe mental health needs can get 24/7 care.

In November, we opened our Hope & Healing Center in Lewiston. Sweetser’s Director of Community-Based Services, Kristen Cianelli, appeared on WMTW’s weekly TV segment, Mental Health Moment, to discuss the new walk-in hours and how they benefit individuals seeking care.

Our walk-in hours in Lewiston are Mondays and Wednesdays from 10AM to 3PM.