LEWISTON — Governor John E. Baldacci has proclaimed Nov. 18, 2010, as Common Ties Mental Health Services Day throughout Maine. The Lewiston-based agency will launch its 25th anniversary year celebration at it annual meeting at the Green Ladle Restaurant starting at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 18.

With one in five families experiencing a mental illness, Common Ties will celebrate the very basic fact that recovery is possible for the extraordinary people served and supported by the agency.

Over the past five years of the agency’s history, Common Ties has launched initiatives to promote employment opportunities, to integrate behavioral health care with primary care, to assist consumers to self manage chronic diseases such as diabetes, to assist young adults with accessing mental health services, to improve the system of care for persons who also have a substance abuse disorder and to measure outcomes of service.

“The Common Ties team of employees, directors and volunteers have sustained an agency which brings tremendous value to our community and to the people who look to us for support,” said Craig Phillips, executive director of the agency. “We look forward to the future with great pride and enthusiasm.”

All are welcome to attend the meeting and are encouraged to RSVP to Lisa Dumont at 795-6710 or [email protected]. For more information, visit www.commonties.org.