Month: <span>May 2022</span>

Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault (MECASA) announced the recipients of the 2022 MECASA Awards – given annually to people and organizations whose work has had a significant statewide impact on the services and policies that support survivors of sexual violence in Maine.

“We’re very pleased that Wendy Page, AMHC Sexual Assault Services Coordinator, was among several recipients statewide who received the Advancing the Mission Award,” shared Julia Miller, AMHC Program Director for Prevention and Sexual Assault Services. The award is given to one or more individuals employed by a MECASA member center or member centers ‘who demonstrate an extraordinary and unwavering commitment to advancing the statewide mission of MECASA.’

“Wendy participated with other MECASA members in developing and implementing a statewide, standardized advocate training and a facilitator’s guide and updated advocate manual,” said Miller. “The materials took more than two years to finalize. We’re grateful to Wendy and the entire team for their efforts.”

The annual MECASA Awards are presented each April in conjunction with Sexual Assault Awareness Month, a time when sexual assault providers around Maine raise awareness about the impacts of sexual violence on our communities and the services available to survivors. One in five people in Maine will experience sexual violence at some point in their lives.

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/.

May is Mental Health Month, and Aroostook Mental Health Services, Inc. (AMHC) is pleased to join Mental Health America in highlighting its “Back to Basics” campaign.

“The past few years have highlighted how important mental health is to overall well-being,” said Ellen Bemis, CEO. “Part of AMHC’s mission is to reduce the stigma associated with mental health. Our agency encourages all community members to know the resources available to support you or a family member in a time of need.”

There is no single cause for a mental health condition; many possible risk factors can influence how likely a person is to experience a mental health condition or how severe the symptoms may be. Mental Health America has a screening tool at https://screening.mhanational.org/screening-tools/ which may assist an individual to better understand what one is experiencing; after that, it is important to talk to a trusted friend, family member, teacher, etc. about the results, and as appropriate seek professional help.

AMHC encourages anyone who is struggling to reach out to the resources that are available.

• Maine Crisis Line: 1-888-568-1112. Available 24/7 to call, text, or chat
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Available 24/7
• StrenthenME: 207-227-8198. Available 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. seven days a week to anyone in Maine experiencing stress reactions to the pandemic
• Maine Frontline Warmline: 207-221-8196 (Text: 898-211). Available 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. seven days a week for Maine’s health care workers, first responders, and school personnel who are experiencing stress as a result of the pandemic
• For more resources, including AMHC services county-wide, please visit www.amhc.org or call the AMHC Call Center at 1-800-244-6431.

Ellen Bemis, CEO, Aroostook Mental Health Services, Inc. (AMHC), has announced the appointment of Shannon Gove, LSW, MHRT-C, OQMHP, to Program Director of Residential/Crisis Units in Washington County.

“It is my pleasure to welcome Shannon to the senior leadership team,” said Bemis. “As Program Director, she will oversee the residential programs in Calais, including children’s residential and both the children and adult crisis stabilization units. Throughout her eight years with the agency Shannon has demonstrated strong leadership and a passion for delivering excellent services to our clients. I look forward to working with her in this expanded capacity.”

Gove joined AMHC in 2014 as a Targeted Case Manager/Outpatient Site Coordinator in Calais. In 2019, she was appointed the Children’s Services Manager for Washington and Hancock counties. Gove received her Bachelor’s in Behavioral Science from the University of Maine Machias. She lives with her family in Dennysville.