Month: <span>March 2022</span>

Center for Integrated Neuro Rehab Highlights Brain Injury Services in Aroostook County

Center for Integrated Neuro-Rehab (CINR), a program of Aroostook Mental Health Services, Inc. (AMHC) is pleased to highlight Brain Injury Awareness Month during the month of March. Penny Thompson, Caribou City Manager, delivered a Brain Injury Awareness Day Proclamation designating March 16, 2022 as Brain Injury Awareness Day.

“We’re very grateful to the City of Caribou for joining us in highlighting Brain Injury Awareness Month,” shared Pamela Searles, OTR/L,CBIS, Neuro-Rehabilitation Services Manager. “Our clients enjoyed sharing their artwork with Penny and sharing their stories of recovery. We hope this month has been a great opportunity for the community to learn more about brain injury prevalence in Aroostook County.”

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are more common than many people think. In Maine alone, on average every week, there are nearly 200 TBI-related hospital emergency department visits. CINR works with individuals to assist them with gaining more skills in the areas of physical function, language/cognition, social/emotional wellbeing, and more independence with life skills. It is important that the community knows there is hope and help in overcoming the challenges associated with traumatic brain injury.

Brain injuries are most commonly sustained through falls, as well as strokes, and motor vehicle accidents. Since 2007, CINR has supported hundreds of individuals and their loved ones. Fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), CINR is currently accepting client referrals. Services are available in Caribou and Houlton; please contact them at 207-498-3820 for more information and/or eligibility requirements.

Celebrating more than 57 years, AMHC is a nonprofit organization supporting nearly 5,500 clients annually. The agency has 26 service sites and 325 employees located across Aroostook, Washington, and Hancock counties. In addition to brain injury services in Aroostook, AMHC provides mental health, substance use, crisis, and sexual assault services in its three county service area. For more information, connect with AMHC at www.amhc.org.

Ellen Bemis, CEO, Aroostook Mental Health Services, Inc. (AMHC), has announced the appointment of Sarah Wright, MHRT-CSP, to Program Director of Emergency Support Services.

“I am pleased to welcome Sarah to the senior leadership team,” said Bemis. “As Program Director, she will oversee Mobile Crisis Services in Aroostook, Washington, and Hancock Counties as well as Adult and Children’s Crisis Stabilization Units in Aroostook. When it comes to the delivery of crisis services, Sarah has a collaborative approach with our community partners that will grow in her expanded capacity.”

Wright has fifteen years of behavioral health experience. She joined AMHC in 2015 as an Emergency Services Specialist and, after a brief hiatus, rejoined the agency in 2019 as the Supervisor for the Mobile Crisis Team for Aroostook County. Wright is currently pursuing her Master of Social Work. She lives in southern Aroostook with her family.