Lacey Bailey is a Sweetser OPTIONS Liaison for York County and joined our weekly TV segment on WMTW Channel 8 to discuss the how liaisons can help people with substance use disorders and the importance of our partnerships with law enforcement.

Together we raised over $7,000 for Sweetser at our Kidz Winter Jamboree on March 3! Amazing performances by Rob and Amanda of KindKids Music at Biddeford Middle School. Appreciate our sponsors Jim Godbout Plumbing & Heating, Inc., Saco and Biddeford Savings, and Atlantic Federal Credit Union for making this free event possible and to the many kiddos and families for coming.

With Eating Disorders Awareness Week coming to a close, our New England Eating Disorders Program Clinical Director appeared on WMTW-TV Channel 8 to discuss different signs to look out for and ways to support family members who might be exhibiting disordered eating.

President & CEO Jayne Van Bramer with Denise Labbe and Marise Anagnost–the sisters who organize the annual event.

The 2024 Jamming for Mental Health Awareness & Suicide Prevention event raised more than $17,000 to support Sweetser behavioral health services in the Sanford/Springvale area! The event took place at the Elks Lodge in Sanford on Feb. 18th and is the largest event in a series of smaller fundraisers they hold throughout the year.

Several bands donated their time, performing live throughout the event, including Echo Brook, Middleman, Straight Up No Ice and Texas Pete. There was also a 50/50 raffle, bucket raffle and t-shirt sales to fundraise.

The event was first held in 2019 and is a collaboration between Sanford Elks Lodge #1470 and the Wolves Social Club.

Mental health and substance use treatment providers came together to call on the Legislature and the Governor to fund various reforms to improve Maine’s behavioral health system. Sweetser’s President & CEO discusses those reforms on WMTW’s Mental Health Moment segment.

We are encouraging the public to contact their Senator or Representative and encourage them to support the Maine Resiliency Package.

DETAILS: Maine Resiliency Package

“The University of New England School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, in collaboration with mental health provider Sweetser, hosted a naloxone training workshop on the Biddeford Campus. Lacey Bailey, LADC, B.S., a licensed alcohol and drug counselor and Know Your OPTIONS clinician at Sweetser, led the workshop, which drew more than 60 participants, including students, faculty, professional staff, and members of the broader community.”

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Sweetser’s President & CEO Jayne Van Bramer was the guest on our weekly TV segment ‘Mental Health Moment’ on WMTW Channel 8. She discussed the important role mental health should play in the workplace.

Jayne also penned this op-ed for MaineBiz magazine on the same topic. Click below to read the full article.

READ OP-ED: How to make mental health a workplace priority  _ Mainebiz.biz

Mike Andrick has joined Sweetser as Senior Director of Adult Crisis & Residential Services. In this role, he oversees mobile crisis services, adult crisis stabilization units, crisis aftercare programs, OPTIONS, and adult PNMI.

He is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and has presented at numerous professional conferences during his career. Prior to joining Sweetser, he served as Director of Outreach & DMH MATCH Services at Pine Street Inn.

Mike holds a master’s degree in counseling and education from the University of Maine, Orono.

Sweetser President & CEO Jayne Van Bramer comments on the latest Deadly Force Review Panel’s mental health recommendations.

Most pet owners know about the joys that come with sharing their lives with their furry companions. However, did you know they can also improve our mental health?

Caring for a pet can help us…

• Reduce anxiety and stress
• Provide companionship
• Help you meet new people

In this past week’s Mental Health Moment segment on WMTW Channel 8, Sweetser’s Senior Director of Public Relations & Advancement Justin Chenette breaks down the benefits.