Month: <span>September 2020</span>

Roads to Recovery (R2R), a service of AMHC, will host a picnic on Thursday, September 17 from 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.  R2R is located at One Water Street in Caribou and is a place where individuals can come and receive support for their recovery journey, connecting people to resources and also serve as a venue for various recovery meetings.

“We are looking forward to this event,” said Erik Lamoreu, Substance Use Disorder Peer Recovery Center Manager. “The pandemic has changed how we support our recovery community but our team has worked hard to keep people connected and engaged. We will continue to support individuals through in-person and telehealth meetings including SMART (Self Management and Recovery Training), Parents in Recovery, Relationships and Addiction, Narcotics Anonymous, Alcoholics Anonymous, and Probation and Recovery.”

The event is known as “Fall into Recovery,” and coincides with National Recovery Month, held each September. Community members are welcome and asked to wear masks and practice social distancing. “We will have some individually wrapped snacks to enjoy as well as an opportunity to share more about the services at R2R,” said Lamoreau.  “Narcan training will be provided and kits will be handed out. We will also have fun decorating masks that attendees can take home with them.”

For more information on the activities or resources offered at Roads to Recovery please contact them at 207-493-1278.

Celebrating more than 55 years, AMHC is a nonprofit organization supporting nearly 6,000 clients annually. The agency has 26 service sites and 325 employees located across Aroostook, Washington, and Hancock counties providing mental health, substance use, crisis, and sexual assault services. For more information, connect with AMHC at www.amhc.org.

Aroostook Recovery Center of Hope (ARCH) will host a one-year anniversary celebration on Saturday, September 12 from 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.  ARCH is located at 36 North Street in Houlton and is a place where individuals can come and receive support for their recovery journey, connecting people to resources and also serve as a venue for various recovery meetings.

“A great deal has happened since ARCH opened its doors last September,” shared Chelsea Putnam, Peer Support Specialist and Volunteer Coordinator. “Although the pandemic has changed how we support our recovery community we are pleased to continue to be an important resource.”  In the past year, ARCH has supported individuals in their recovery journey through in-person and telehealth meetings including SMART (Self Management and Recovery Training), Parents in Recovery, Relationships and Addiction, Narcotics Anonymous, Alcoholics Anonymous, and Probation and Recovery.

The anniversary celebration, known as “Fall into Recovery,” coincides with National Recovery Month, held each September. Community members are welcome and asked to wear masks and practice social distancing. “We will have some individually wrapped snacks to enjoy as well as an opportunity to share more about the services at ARCH,” said Putnam.  “Narcan training will be provided and kits will be handed out. We will also have fun decorating masks that attendees can take home with them.”

ARCH is a service of Aroostook Mental Health Services, Inc. (AMHC) in collaboration with Link for Hope. For more information on the activities or resources offered at ARCH, please contact Putnam at 207-254-2213.

September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

September is designated as National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month and Aroostook Mental Health Services, Inc. (AMHC) encourages everyone to Take 5 to Save Lives!

“Due to the pandemic, this year AMHC will be relying heavily on social media to raise awareness about suicide,” explains Michelle Ferris, Director of Emergency Services.  “According to the Maine Centers for Disease Control, suicide is the second leading cause of death for Mainers ages 10-45. Our State’s suicide rate remains higher than the rest of the nation and more people die from suicide than from car accidents or breast cancer. AMHC is available to anyone experiencing a crisis. To access our Mobile Emergency Services team please call or text the Maine Crisis Line at 1-888-568-1112.”

Take 5 to Save Lives is a public awareness campaign run by the National Council for Suicide Prevention in support of World Suicide Prevention Day, to be held on Thursday, September 10, 2020. The goal of the campaign is to encourage everyone to take 5 simple actions steps that focus on preventing the tragedy of suicide. The steps include:

1. LEARN THE SIGNS. Although it may not always be obvious, individuals experiencing an emotional crisis usually exhibit one or more of the warning signs of suicide. Your ability to identify the signs will better prepare you to take action and could help save a life.
2. KNOW HOW TO HELP. You shouldn’t be afraid to ask your friend if they’re having thoughts of suicide. By knowing exactly what to say and do, you’ll be ready to act and keep your friends and family safe.
3. PRACTICE SELF-CARE. Research indicates that our mental fitness or wellness is crucial to our overall long-term health, and can even protect us from disease. Learn some tips for keeping mentally fit. Make it a priority!
4. REACH OUT. If you or someone you know is in emotional distress you must reach out for help. You are not alone. Learn about different help options and how to take that first step in seeking help and care.
5. SPREAD THE WORD. Let’s get people talking! By sharing the Take 5 campaign with 5 other people we can raise awareness of the problem of suicide and equip people with easy tools to help themselves and others. Together we can all make a difference!

By taking 5 minutes to learn about suicide, you will be making a difference in the world!