Month: <span>April 2021</span>

Aroostook Teen Leadership Camp (ATLC) is a year-round leadership development and drug prevention program for teens. A part of Aroostook Mental Health Services, Inc. (AMHC), ATLC has continued to meet with and mentor teens despite the challenges associated with the pandemic. Due to continued safety protocols and restrictions, ATLC’s 2021 residential summer camp program will be a combination of in-person and virtual activities.

“Teens will hear from national speakers about positive leadership, attend workshops, participate in teambuilding activities, and small discussion groups,” explains Amber Stedt, Prevention Coordinator. “The program is open to teens currently in grades 6 – 8 in Aroostook County.”

The four-day camp begins in-person on Sunday, June 27 at the Caribou Rec Center followed by virtual camp days on Sundays July 11 and July 25, wrapping up with a final in-person camp day on Sunday, August 15 at the Caribou Rec Center.  Following summer camp, teens can participate in a variety of activities throughout the year, including planning committees, Camp Reunions, applying to be on the following summer camp’s staff, or being a member of the ATLC Advisory Board.

The deadline for registration is Thursday, May 6. Registration packets are available in Aroostook County middle schools with students in grades 6 – 8, or by calling 207-493-3620 or emailing Amber Stedt at astedt@amhc.org.

“As a former camper myself, ATLC made a huge impact on my life. I am proud to continue this work with the next generation of teen leaders in Aroostook County,” shared Stedt. For more information, connect with ATLC at www.atlccamp.org.

About ATLC

Since 1987, ATLC has mentored thousands of pre-teens and teens grades 5-12 in the process of social-emotional learning through a residential five-day summer camp augmented by a series of activities and programming throughout the school year. Pre-teens who attend as campers have the opportunity to become teen staff members who lead programming efforts. Goals include the prevention of early use of alcohol and other illegal drugs, leadership training to develop teen drug prevention leaders, and developing positive role models.

Ellen Bemis, CEO, Aroostook Mental Health Services, Inc. (AMHC) is pleased to announce Laurie Deerfield, D.O., has joined AMHC as its Medical Director/Psychiatrist.

“Dr. Deerfield brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to AMHC,” said Bemis. “She is passionate about supporting individuals challenged by mental health and/or substance use, and we are grateful to have her as part of our team.”

Dr. Deerfield was most recently in private practice in New Jersey focused on general and addiction psychiatry, caring for patients diagnosed with various disorders including anger management, anxiety/panic disorders, depression, chemical dependency/substance use, and more. She has served as a Medical Director and Provider for substance use treatment and recovery centers, as well as an independent contractor and medical consultant to multiple professional boards and organizations including Professional Assistance Program of New Jersey, Board of Medicine, Board of Nursing, and other health and legal boards.

Dr. Deerfield will be located at AMHC’s Ellsworth Outpatient Office and connecting with clients and staff agency-wide through telehealth. She shared: “I am very excited to be with AMHC and delighted to find such a diversely talented but universally welcoming group of individuals.” In her spare time, she enjoys being outside with her dogs and looks forward to exploring all that Maine has to offer.

AMHC Sexual Assault Services joins the National Sexual Violence Resource Center and Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MECASA) to highlight April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. This year’s theme, “We Can Build Safe Online Spaces” encourages each of us to learn how to practice consent online, keep kids safe from abuse, and facilitate and participate in respectful online communities.

“We all have a role to play in the prevention of sexual assault,” shared Julia Miller, Program Director of Prevention and Sexual Assault Services. “AMHC Sexual Assault Services has provided services to individuals who have been affected by sexual violence since 1984. We not only advocate for victims and offer support to survivors 24/7, we provide prevention education for all ages on sexual violence, sexual harassment, internet safety, and personal body safety.”

Learn more about this year’s theme “We Can Build Safe Online Spaces” by visiting https://www.nsvrc.org/saam/2021/about/wecanbuildcampaign

AMHC Sexual Assault Services Advocates support nearly 400 victims per year in Aroostook, Washington, and Hancock counties. They can be reached by calling the 24-hour Sexual Assault Helpline at 1-800-871-7741. Text and chat are also available Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. The service is free and confidential. For more information, visit AMHC Sexual Assault Services at https://www.amhcsas.org/.

Aroostook Mental Health Services, Inc. (AMHC) is pleased to announce that it has opened an expanded adult crisis stabilization unit (ACSU) at 180 Academy Street in Presque Isle. The ACSU joins AMHC’s Presque Isle Outpatient and administrative offices at its property situated along Presque Isle’s “healthcare corridor,” near Northern Light A.R. Gould Hospital and numerous other healthcare providers.

“The expansion provides an opportunity to increase the number of clients served by 60%,” explained Michelle Ferris, LCSW, Program Director of Emergency Services. “We anticipate reaching full occupancy as additional staff is hired to support the increase in capacity.”

Due to demand for services, the former ACSU was occupied nearly 100% of the time. The new space offers eight private rooms with sinks, three bathrooms, and the facility is entirely handicap accessible. In addition to the expanded bed capacity, clients will have private space to visit with family, friends, or other supports. The open floor plan provides a larger kitchen, dining, and living room spaces.

“By bringing outpatient and ACSU services under one roof, we make it possible for community members to more easily access the care they need,” said Ferris.

Pandemic fatigue is affecting each one of us. During this time it is normal to experience anxiety, frustration, and grief. While we wait for life to have a sense of normalcy again, caring for our physical and mental health is critically important. AMHC is here for you. If you are in need of professional mental health assistance please reach out for a confidential telephone, tele-video (Zoom), or in-person appointment by calling our Access Center at 1-800-244-6431.

AMHC services remain open.

• AMHC is following the Maine CDC and Governor Mills’ guidelines regarding face masks, physical distancing, hand washing, and facility cleaning.
• We are asking all clients to please wear a face mask when visiting our outpatient offices.
• If you have never had a video appointment with your provider, the first time may be a bit scary. Here is a great tool from SMI Advisor to help you prepare for your visit! https://smiadviser.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/How-to-Prepare-for-a-Video-Appointment.pdf