In addition to Pride, June is also Men’s Mental Health Month. Statistics show that women are diagnosed with depression twice as much as men. However, suicide data from the CDC shows that the rate of suicide was four times higher for men than women in 2020 and over 6 million men suffer from depression, often left undiagnosed. Mike Andrick, Sweetser’s Senior Director of Adult Crisis & Residential Services, was a guest on WMTW’s Mental Health Moment to discuss the importance of mental health among men.

Pride Month is a special time of year. It’s an opportunity to be you, for others to celebrate you for being you, and to feel connected to a larger community support network. Check out WMTW’s latest Mental Health Moment segment about the importance of Pride with Sweetser’s Senior Director of Public Relations & Advancement Justin Chenette.

Get ready to groove for an even groovier cause! Don’t miss Higher Ground, a tribute to Stevie Wonder, featuring an all-star band performing 21 of Stevie’s greatest songs. Proceeds from the concert will benefit Sweetser programs. Happening Saturday July 20th at the Vinegar Hill Music Theatre in Arundel. Join us for drinks and a food truck before the show in the outdoor garden. The show is graciously sponsored by Saco Valley Credit Union and 99.3 The Wave and organized by our own Dr. Marc Kaplan.

PURCHASE TICKETS before they sell out: https://vinhillmusic.com/performance/higher-ground-a-stevie-wonder-tribute-to-benefit-sweetser/

Check out highlights from the past show:

Sweetser Director of Children’s Residential Kristine Gile was named one of five finalists, along with her co-presenter, Dr. Elly Romero, for the Bellflasher Award at the ADARA (American Deafness and Rehabilitation Association) Conference recently held in Atlanta.

The award is for the most outstanding and thought provoking presentation. Their topic was “Considerations When Implementing Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children.” 

Gile also co-presented with Sitara Sheikh, Terry Morrell and Tristen Evan Hellewell on a second presentation, “It couldn’t happen here: lessons learned from/in the aftermath of the mass shooting in Maine.” There were more than 400 attendees at the conference.

Left to right: Melissa Brymer Director, Terrorism & Disaster Program, University of California, Los Angeles; Tiffany Bridgett, Psychology Associate, Deaf and Hard of Hearing Child Resilience Center, Gallaudet University; Kristine Gile; and Allegra Hirsh-Wright. Maine Health Center for Trauma, Resilience, and Innovation.

On May 16th, Gile presented with a group (pictured above) at the National Child Trauma Stress Network’s All Network Conference in Bethesda, MD. Their presentation was “Increasing Access for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community following Mass Violence and Disasters.”

Check out the recent live TV special hosted by Meghan Torjussen and Jon Chrisos, filled with important stories of impact with resources provided by Sweetser’s CEO Jayne Van Bramer. Together we are working to reduce stigma and increase access to services.

Conversations like this can help save lives. Thank you WMTW for your important coverage of mental health.

If you are struggling with a mental health challenge, it can feel intimidating to know where to start to get the right kind of help and treatment you need. Sweetser’s Brunswick & Cumberland County CCBHC Director Joey Rossignol, talks about what to expect in accessing services at our clinics in Brunswick and Sanford on the latest edition of Mental Health Moment on WMTW Channel 8.

Sweetser Senior Director of Community Services Wendy Anders appeared as a guest on our weekly TV segment on WMTW to discuss Sweetser launching a new a Child ACT team.

Our monthly Mental Health Matters column in Saco Bay News discusses the need for mental health services in Maine and how, for many, cost of treatment can be a barrier.

Preview:

‘While we’ve come a long way, mental health is still not treated on the same footing as physical health and as a result, it’s easy for people to fall through the cracks in the system. Last year, Sweetser provided nearly $1 million in care to individuals and families in need of mental health services who didn’t have the ability to pay. This included Mainers who are uninsured and underinsured. The last thing families should have to think about when it comes to addressing their own mental health challenges or the mental health needs of their children, is the cost of care being a barrier. The focus should be on healing and recovery. No one is turned away, but we can’t do it alone.’

READ FULL COLUMN HERE

Sweetser’s Senior Director of Public Relations & Advancement Justin Chenette appeared on Celeste Baranyi’s radio show ‘Perspectives’ airing on WBLM, WCYY, WJBQ, and WHOM stations. Topic: Mental Health Awareness Month and the resources available to Mainers.

Sweetser’s Dr. Marc Kaplan appeared on the 94.9 WHOM Morning Show with Lori and Jeff to talk about mental health.

The Portland Sea Dogs held a Mental Health Awareness Night and Sweetser was proud to participate. Our CFO John McAnuff even threw out the first pitch. Events like this help reduce the stigma attached to seeking support and treatment.