RUMFORD – Teddy bears with broken arms, dolls feeling sad, even a pirate with a sore throat, were treated at the Tri-County Mental Health Services/Swift River Family Medicine open house and Teddy Bear Clinic on April 16.

The event was held to celebrate the new Integrated Primary Care Project between Swift River and Tri-County. The project, funded by the Maine Health Access Foundation, is bringing medical and behavioral/ mental health providers together to care for patients’ total well being in a collaborative, coordinated partnership.

Teddies and dollies, just like real patients of all ages at Swift River, Elsemore Dixfield Family Medicine and River Valley Internal Medicine now find it easier to feel better mentally and physically.

Tri-County Mental Health Services deals with the psychological and social well being of children, adults, and elders. It serves nearly 10,000 individuals each year in Androscoggin, Cumberland, Franklin and Oxford counties with programs and services addressing mental health, substance abuse, mental retardation/developmental disabilities and autism. Visit www.tcmhs.org for more information.

Rumford Hospital Primary Care includes Swift River Health Care, River Valley Internal Medicine and Elsemore Dixfield Center and serve more than 8,900 patients each year with 44,000 visits. It is part of Rumford Hospital and the Central Maine Medical Family.

Visit www.mehaf.org for more information on the Maine Health Access Foundation.