AUBURN — A judge said Wednesday that a Lewiston man charged with murder in the death of his infant son does not have to undergo a mental health evaluation that was sought by prosecutors. Androscoggin County Superior Court Justice MaryGay Kennedy ruled following a closed-door conference that if additional information should be brought to her […]
mental health
Posted inAdvertiser Democrat, Oxford Hills
Health fair promises something for every family member
PARIS — There’s not much better than a happy and healthy family. And that’s what the annual Health and Happiness Fair for the Whole Family promises. The event, sponsored by Richard Bader Physical Therapy, SAPARS (Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Services, formerly known as REACH) and Safe Voices, will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, […]
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Posted inAdvertiser Democrat, Oxford Hills
License issued to embattled mental health facility after review
RUMFORD — State regulators said they found no major problems during their periodic review of a mental health facility accused of cheating the state out of funding. Last week, Oxford County Mental Health was issued a summons by the U.S. District Court in Portland to answer a former employee’s allegations that the nonprofit did not […]
Posted inConnections, The Franklin Journal
NAMI chapter to offer ongoing education program
FARMINGTON/RUMFORD — The Maine chapter of National Alliance on Mental Illness will offer the Family-to-Family education program from 6 to 8:30 p.m. every Thursday from April 24 to July 10 at Franklin Memorial Hospital. The 12-week course is for family, friends and caregivers of teens and adults with mental illness (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, […]
Posted inRiver Valley
Police response rare in crisis hotline calls
When a person calls a crisis hotline, sometimes they only need to be heard. Sometimes family is encouraged to take them to the nearest emergency room and sometimes, depending on the situation — what’s said, what’s sensed — police are sent. It’s a case-by-case call. “The people who answer the phones on the crisis hotlines […]
Posted inRiver Valley
Mental illness support group hosting suicide-prevention program
DIXFIELD — The National Alliance on Mental Illness Family Support Group will host a public forum from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 25, to discuss suicide prevention and awareness with parents, school staff, businesses and organizations. It will be held in the cafeteria of Dirigo High School. Dottie Adams of Hanover, who works with […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Maine prepares to expand mental health unit at state prison
AUGUSTA (AP) — Maine lawmakers are setting the stage for an expansion of a mental health unit at Maine State Prison. A committee that will oversee the newly expanded mental health wing in Warren met for the first time Tuesday. The unit is set to open in February. Gov. Paul LePage signed a bill to […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Mainers urged to raise awareness of mental illness
AUGUSTA (AP) — Gov. Paul LePage and advocates are seeking to raise awareness and education about mental illness in Maine. The Republican governor declared Oct. 6-12 Mental Illness Awareness Week. Maine’s chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness said one in four Maine residents are affected by mental illnesses like severe anxiety disorder, bipolar […]
Posted inMaine, sj-web
Feds cut funding for Riverview Psychiatric Center
AUGUSTA — The federal government notified the Maine Department of Health and Human Services Wednesday that it is terminating Riverview Psychiatric Center’s Medicare Provider Agreement, essentially shutting off some $20 million in annual federal funding at the state-run Augusta hospital. DHHS Commissioner Mary Mayhew vowed to appeal the Center for Medicaid Services’ decision. “The decision […]
Posted inLetters
In Rebuttal, G. Dunne: The underlying problem
While there is little doubt that Maine’s mental health system is in serious need of reform, housing difficult patients in the Maine State Prison is not the solution (editorial, Sept. 15: “Riverview’s most dangerous patients must be moved”). The criminal justice and mental health systems are separate entities and should remain that way. Those found […]