AUGUSTA — The MaineHealth Center for Tobacco Independence’s Breathe Easy initiative held the Behavioral Health Gold Star Standards of Excellence Awards ceremony on June 7 in Augusta to celebrate the efforts of Maine behavioral health organizations to address smoking and tobacco use on their campuses.

Ten organizations from across the state and two individual champions were recognized for their achievements in advancing smoke and tobacco-free campus policies as well as promoting tobacco-free lifestyles.

Tri-County Mental Health Services was recognized for meeting the Gold Level in the inaugural 2017 Gold Star Standards of Excellence Program for efforts to prohibit smoke and tobacco use on campus and address client tobacco use.

All Maine behavioral health organizations were invited to apply for recognition; organizations that met at least six of 10 Gold Star Standards were recognized with a plaque. Award levels are based on best practice criteria, such as a smoke- and tobacco-free campus policy, annual screening for tobacco use, referral to tobacco treatment and supporting employee education related to tobacco treatment.

Catherine Ryder, executive director for Tri-County Mental Health Services, was awarded an Individual Gold Star Champion award for her leadership and dedication to the health and well-being of the community

Donald Dufour, director of human resources, Tri-County Mental Health Services, said, “Catherine led our agency to undertake this important initiative at a time when this was not something many behavioral health organizations were doing.”

FMI on initiative and recognition program: BreatheEasyMaine.org/BehavioralHealth. The program is funded by Maine Prevention Services.

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