LEWISTON – Tri-County Mental Health Services hosted its annual meeting and 70th anniversary celebration Oct. 18 at the Hilton Garden Inn Auburn Riverwatch.
The evening honored the staff talent and commitment that it sees every day across the agency, and celebrated the monumental milestone of 70 years of service and dedication in meeting the behavioral healthcare needs of the communities, according to a news release from Leslie Ogilvie, grants and communication manager.
Guests heard a keynote panel focused on health equity and how systemic inequities impact behavioral healthcare across the communities. Panelists included Gia Drew, executive director of EqualityMaine, T. Melissa Hue, director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for the city of Lewiston, and Rilwan Osman, executive director of Maine Immigrant and Refugee Services.
The agency’s Giving Voice Award, which recognizes an individual, group of individuals or an organization with whom TCMHS works with in the community for extraordinary efforts on behalf of consumers, was awarded to the Lewiston Police Department for its collaborative work with TCMHS’ Project Support You (PSY) program.
PSY is a unique ride-along partnership where an officer and counselor respond to calls from individuals living with and struggling with substance misuse, homelessness and mental illness to ensure they get the help they need when and where and when they need it.
The agency’s Inspiration Award is presented to an outstanding TCMHS employee who demonstrates a pattern of excellence and exemplary commitment to meeting the needs of clients and achieving their mission over time. This year’s award went to Earl Fournier, who works in TCMHS’ Human Resources Department and has helped navigate the agency through the ever-changing dynamics of the COVID-19 pandemic.
