TV Segment: Impact of Food Insecurity

Posted by Jessica Tornatore

As uncertainty grows around federal SNAP benefits, thousands of Mainers are turning to food pantries to meet basic needs. Hunger isn’t just a financial challenge—it’s a mental health issue, too. Justin Chenette, Sweeter’s Chief Communications Officer sits down with WMTW’s Meghan Torjussen for this Mental Health Moment.

Watch the full segment below:

If you or someone you know is struggling, you are not alone—and support is available:

  • Call 211 to be connected with food banks, pantries, and meal programs statewide.
  • Visit FeedingMaine.org for an interactive map of local food pantries through the Good Shepherd Food Bank network.

Food insecurity can affect any of us at any time. Reaching out for help is a strong first step toward stability and well‑being.

Flatbread Community Night Tuesday, Nov. 11th

Posted by Justin Chenette

Flatbread Community Night
Tuesday, Nov. 11th, 5 – 9 PM
72 Commercial Street, Portland
Flatbread pizza sales benefit Sweetser.

Thank you for joining us for an evening of delicious wood-fired pizza in support of mental health! A portion of all flatbread pizza sales during the evening went to support Sweetser’s mental health mission, helping provide vital behavioral, emotional, and wellness services to members of our community. We’ll see you next year!

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TV Segment & Resource Table for the Lewiston Region

Posted by Jessica Tornatore

Sweetser was on hand as Lewiston marked the two-year remembrance of the mass shooting with a public gathering on the Longley Bridge. Sweetser Crisis Intervention Specialist Carolyn Hall and our Senior Director of Adult Crisis & Residential Services Mike Andrick were there to assist community members who needed a professional to talk to. Community members are invited to gather at the bridge near Veterans Memorial Park for a visible show of remembrance with a sign-making station, candles, and Remembrance Bags. 

Sweetser’s Chief Growth Officer, Joanne Grant, appeared on WMTW Channel 8’s Mental Health Moment segment to discuss our Lewiston Hope & Healing Center and available mental health resources for the wider community. Watch the segment below…

Sweetser’s Comedy Show Brought the Smiles

Posted by Jessica Tornatore

We had an absolute blast at our Smiles for Sweetser Comedy Show. Thank you to everyone who came out to support us—it was a night filled with laughter and goodwill.

A huge, heartfelt thank you goes out to all the incredibly talented comedians Will Noonan, Rob Steen, Amy Tee, and Gabriel Perez, who all had the crowd roaring!

Thanks to the incredible support from our community, we are thrilled to announce that we raised close to $11,000 to help fuel our mission.

We appreciate our amazing sponsors. This event would not have been possible without them. We are immensely grateful to:

  • Aquabogan
  • Gridiron Restaurant
  • Ossipee Garage Doors
  • Intermed
  • University Credit Union
  • One Stop Rentals

We also want to give a special shout-out to Binnie Media and their fantastic radio stations, including Frank FM and The Wolf, for helping us spread the word and ensure a great turnout. We had over 270 people in attendance.

Sweetser Opens New Peer Center in Brunswick

Posted by Jessica Tornatore

Sweetser has officially opened our SupportME Peer Center in Brunswick, offering Mainers struggling with mental health or substance use challenges a free, judgment-free community resource.

Located at 329 Bath Road next to our Hope & Healing Center, the facility will serve residents in Brunswick and throughout Sagadahoc, Knox, Waldo, and Lincoln Counties. The center is the sixth of its kind in Maine and the only peer center serving the Midcoast.

The purpose of a peer center is to create a welcoming, judgment-free space where people come together to connect, share, and support one another at all stages of their recovery journey.

The center offers daily peer-run groups, life skills workshops, and one-on-one support, all staffed by trained peer support specialists—individuals who have their own personal connection to mental health or substance use challenges. The facility is entirely free to use, with no payment, insurance, or barriers required. Community members don’t even need to provide their full name—they can simply “come as you are.”

This expansion builds on Sweetser’s existing peer support infrastructure, including a 24/7 Peer Support Warm Line that fielded 30,000 calls last year alone. We currently employ 53 peers with lived experience in roles across Maine, working in emergency rooms and various mental health programs.

The SupportME Peer Center is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Community members can connect with staff at 207-373-3005 or email PeerCenter@sweetser.org. More information is available at Sweetser.org/PeerCenter.

Check out the news stories from our opening:

WMTW Channel 8

NEWS CENTER Maine

WGME Channel 13

TV Segment: How Humor Can Improve Your Mental Health

Posted by Jessica Tornatore

Laughter is truly the best medicine!

It’s a vital coping strategy and a powerful tool to bring joy into your life. Did you know laughing can:

  • Uplift Your Mood: It triggers endorphins—your body’s natural feel-good chemicals.
  • Reduce Stress: It lowers stress hormones, leading to a state of calmness.
  • Foster Social Connection: It’s a powerful tool to combat loneliness!

Life’s too short not to laugh! Let’s share some laughs for a great cause—fueling mental health treatment for those who need it most at our Smiles of Sweetser Comedy Show.

We’ve got a stellar line-up of New England talent, including headliner Will Noonan (named “Boston’s Best Comedian”!), Rob Steen, Gabriel Perez, and Amy Tee, who brilliantly uses her humor to advocate for mental health.

TV Segment: Can a Lack of Quality Sleep Impact Mental Health?

Posted by Jessica Tornatore

About one in three adults doesn’t get the recommended amount of uninterrupted sleep each night, and an estimated 50–70 million Americans live with a sleep disorder. But lack of quality rest doesn’t just leave us groggy—it can have a significant impact on our mental health.

Sweetser’s Chief Communications Officer Justin Chenette explained to WMTW’s Meghan Torjussen that sleep and mental health are closely intertwined. Poor sleep can worsen mental health challenges, and mental health conditions can, in turn, disrupt sleep.

Watch the full segment below:

Out of Darkness Walk for Suicide Prevention

Posted by Jessica Tornatore

Sweetser was honored to recently take part in the recent Out of Darkness Walk for Suicide Prevention in Portland, joining community members, advocates, and families to raise awareness and support those affected by suicide.

Sweetser’s team hosted a table at the event to help break the stigma around mental health and to share hope, resources, and support. Sweetser was proud to stand with others in the fight for prevention and healing.

If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, dial 988 at any time. You can also call Sweetser’s Peer Support Line at 866-771-9276.

TV Segment: Adult ADHD Rates Rising

Posted by Jessica Tornatore

ADHD isn’t just a childhood condition—recent data shows that over 15 million American adults are currently living with ADHD and adult diagnosis rates doubled between 2020-2022, especially among women. Sweetser’s Medical Director, Dr. Marc Kaplan spoke to WMTW Channel 8 on their Mental Health Moment segment to discuss.

Watch the segment below:

NEW DATE: Ghoulish Golf postponed to Nov. 1st

Posted by Justin Chenette

Thanks for joining us for Ghoulish Golf! We hope you enjoyed our spooky community event. For more events in support of mental health, check out our upcoming community fundraisers.

Due to poor weather, Aquaboggan’s Ghoulish Golf has been postponed to this Saturday, November 1st, from 6:00–9:30 PM.


Join us for some spooky, family-friendly fun at this Halloween-themed mini golf event – all in support of Sweetser’s mental health services.

Enjoy fried dough, warm apple cider, popcorn, and more! Dress up in costume for $2 off admission. 🎃

Bring your family, friends, and co-workers for a night of fun for all ages in support of our mental health mission. Located at 980 Portland Road in Saco.

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