Scoop Event Raises Dough for Sweetser

Posted August 30, 2023 by Beth Randall

Pictured: Saco Mayor Bill Doyle, Senator Donna Bailey, Sweetser President & CEO Jayne Van Bramer, Commissioner Justin Chenette, Saco Deputy Mayor Jodi MacPhail

Our first Scoop for Sweetser event was a huge success.

Thank you to The Saco Scoop for hosting this charity event and a big shout to all the celebrity scoopers for their commitment to mental health. We had the Saco Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and the entire Saco legislative delegation scooping for us.

It was wonderful seeing so many community members and Sweetser staff out to support our mission.

Sugar clothing stores hold fundraisers for Sweetser

Posted August 27, 2023 by Justin Chenette

Our friends at Sugar have organized three fundraisers all benefiting Sweetser’s behavioral health programs!

1^st is the Suger Shindig at The Lincoln Collective in Biddeford Thursday August 31st from 6-9pm. Enjoy a one night only exclusive exhibit from Suger’s Museum of Tiny Design featuring a classic RV Campsite with all the fixins! Yum Batson apps for all and a cash bar. Tickets available online at https://angelrox.com/products/suger-shindig?variant=40511752798290.

2^nd is Suger’s Tiny Design Museum Barbie Bash Friday September 1^st at Encounters Exhibit at Maine Studio Works in Portland. 7pm and dance til’ you’re done! Immerse yourself in Barbieworld and Kendom. $25 Tickets can be purchased at the door.

And 3^rd on Labor Day weekend 9/1-9/3 Friday – Sunday individuals can save 10% on all clothing in both Biddeford & Portland stores and online and they will also donate 10% of all sales to Sweetser in support of mental health by using the code ‘SWEETSER’. Biddeford store is located at 5 Washington St and the Portland store is located at 271 Commercial Street. Online sales available at https://angelrox.com.

Sweetser expands integrated services at Brunswick behavioral health clinic

Posted August 24, 2023 by Beth Randall

Newscenter Maine Story: ‘Sweetser has increased services at its CCBHC, which is a clinic that offers treatment for both mental health and substance use. The clinic currently serves around 600 people, but with the help of the grant, it could serve up to 200 more every year for the next four years, according to the CCBHC’s Clinical Director, Joey Rossignol.’

‘Celebrity’ ice cream scoopers to serve up a sweet cause

Posted August 23, 2023 by Justin Chenette

SACO – The Saco Scoop is hosting a Scoop for Sweetser event with a handful of local celebrity ice cream scoopers.

On Friday August 25th from 4-9PM, proceeds from all ice cream related sales will go to benefit Sweetser’s youth mental health services.

“There is nothing better than a sweet treat and an even sweeter cause,” says Justin Chenette, Sweetser’s Senior Director of Public Relations & Advancement. “Hope to see everyone as we raise awareness and funds to support the mental health of our next generation.”

Some familiar faces will be behind the counter. Celebrity scoopers will include Saco Mayor Bill Doyle, Saco Deputy Mayor Jodi MacPhail, Senator Donna Bailey, Representative Lynn Copeland, Representative Maggie O’Neil, and Representative Lori Gramlich.

Below is the scooping itinerary:

4-5pm Saco Mayor Bill Doyle & Sweetser President/CEO Jayne Van Bramer

5-6pm OOB Rep. Lori Gramlich

6-7pm Senator Donna Bailey & Saco Rep. Lynn Copeland

7-8pm Saco Deputy Mayor Jodi MacPhail

8-9pm Saco Rep. Maggie O’Neil

The Saco Scoop is located at 209 Main Street in downtown Saco. Learn more about Sweetser’s mission at www.Sweetser.org.

Sweetser Talks Eating Disorders Stigma with News Center Maine

Posted August 16, 2023 by Beth Randall

Powerful story from Reporter Anne Baldridge on News Center Maine around the seriousness of treating eating disorders as a mental illness. Featuring Sweetser’s Clinical Director of our New England Eating Disorder program Lindsay Susi and Jennifer Beagle, a woman from Old Orchard Beach, who has shared her own personal journey with anorexia in hopes of raising critical awareness to help save lives. Stories like this will help break the stigma around seeking professional support.

Live Auction Tickets Now Available

Posted August 15, 2023 by Beth Randall

Join us for this festive evening that raises awareness and much-needed funds for mental health services across Maine!

Mix and mingle, enjoy heavy hors d’oeuvres, desserts, and tasty drinks while bidding on one-of-a-kind silent and live auctions items.

The Sold on Kids Auction is Sweetser’s largest fundraising event of the year! Share with your friends, family, and neighbors.

Video recap from last year’s event:

Sweetser Medical Director Appears on WGAN Radio Show

Posted August 7, 2023 by Beth Randall

Sweetser’s Medical Director, Dr. Marc Kaplan, was a guest on the radio show ‘A Healthy Conversation’ on Newsradio WGAN FM 98.5. Dr. Kaplan discussed all things mental health with TideSmart CEO Steve Woods and Dr. Jeffrey Barkin. Listen below…

Sweetser Participates in 2023 Opioid Summit

Posted July 26, 2023 by Beth Randall

Top Right: Community Relations Intern Sophia Kennedy

Sweetser was proud to participate in Maine’s 5th annual opioid response summit led by Governor Janet Mills at Portland’s Cross Insurance Arena. Over 1,400 policymakers, providers, and the recovery community came together to continue our efforts help save lives.

Sweetser is one of the providers of Know Your OPTIONS (Overdose Prevention Through Intensive Outreach, Naloxone, and Safety). This is a partnership with the Maine Office of Behavioral Health to improve the health of Mainers who use substances by using harm reduction strategies, supporting recovery, and providing referrals for services. Learn more: https://www.sweetser.org/…/options-initiative-at-sweetser

In The News: Sanford police substance-use liaisons tackle spike in overdoses

Posted July 21, 2023 by Beth Randall

‘Lacey Bailey is a mental health clinician with the nonprofit Sweetser. She covers all of York County but is based out of the Sanford Police Department as the department’s OPTIONS liaison. Along with her team—two mental health unit officers and one non-law enforcement mental health first responder—she rides in patrol cars and splits tasks with her counterparts.’ Check out this Newscenter Maine story about the efforts of our OPTIONS team in York County.

Watch video below:

FULL Story: Sanford Police Dept. substance-use liaisons tackle overdose spike | newscentermaine.com

Sweetser Talks Summer Mental Health with Newscenter Maine

Posted July 18, 2023 by Beth Randall

Newscenter Maine covered the importance of prioritizing our mental health in the summer. They interviewed our own Chief Program Officer, Kristie Worster! Watch the full story below.