Conditions at the state psychiatric hospital in Augusta have improved over the last year for both patients and the people who care for them, according to the latest reports from both the court master who oversees them and the institution itself. “The care and safety provided by the hospital has definitely improved,” wrote Daniel Wathen, […]
mental illness
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, Maine
Jetport exhibit hopes viewers see 'More'
PORTLAND — A photo exhibit at Portland International Jetport hopes to erase the stigma around mental illness by depicting people who are dealing with issues from depression to post-traumatic stress disorder to severe anxiety. The “I Am More” exhibit will remain in place through September, which is National Suicide Prevention Month. It was created and […]
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Posted inLetters, sj-web
Mental illness is the problem
Let’s figure out how to protect schools from an attack as what happened in Parkland, Florida. First, the nation needs to fix the real problem — mental illness. Second, top security should be in place at all schools. Third, more counselors and psychologists are needed. The FBI and local police failed to follow up on […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
'This is my Brave' shares stories of mental illness on stage
Tracy Griffin of Auburn is the executive producer of the show “This is My Brave,” a performance in which 10 local people will share their stories of mental illness this Sunday at The Dolard & Priscilla Gendron Franco Center in Lewiston. “It will be a pretty powerful show,” Griffin said. (Daryn Slover/Sun Journal) LEWISTON — Hallie Twomey […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine fails to comply with decree to improve treatment of mentally ill
An isolation cell in the Maine State Prison in Warren.Teacher Mike Lokuta works with a student in the mental health unit of the Maine State Prison in Warren.James Staples being led from the courtroom at the Capital Judicial Center in Augusta. In April, while incarcerated at the Maine State Prison’s Intensive Mental Health Unit in Warren, […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
State committee gets earful about mental health deficiencies
LEWISTON — Officials from Maine jails, law enforcement, legal system and advocacy groups told a state advisory committee Wednesday that Maine’s psychiatric hospital and county jails are overcrowded, underfunded and under-equipped to meet the needs of people with mental illnesses. The Maine Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights held a daylong public […]
Posted inUncategorized
Untold Strength bringing mental health storytelling event to Lewiston
LEWISTON — Untold Strength Inc. has announced This is My Brave Inc. will be coming to Lewiston in November. The “This is My Brave” shows are live theater events where real people tell real stories about their real life mental health issues. “My Brave’ seeks to remove the stigma of mental illness, open a dialogue […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine rejects federal funds to help youth with mental illness
In 2014, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services won a $1 million-per-year, five-year grant to help teenagers and young adults at risk for serious mental illness. But without explanation, the department recently turned away the remaining three years of federal funding, giving providers a month to wrap up services. For more than a […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
DHHS tightens coverage of services for mental illness and disorders
AUGUSTA — Providers of mental health and adult disability services are scrambling to understand pending changes from the Department of Health and Human Services that could cut or interrupt services for thousands of consumers and change payments for service providers. According to multiple sources in the mental health service provider sector, the issue came to […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, Maine
Mental illness creates ‘crisis situation’ for jails
AUBURN — One day recently, the Androscoggin County Jail housed: An 80-year-old man with dementia so severe that he wasn’t able to recognize his own lawyer. A man charged with theft who became catatonic behind bars. A woman who, according to an evaluation by St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center, was schizophrenic and possibly suicidal. The […]