AMHC News

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.

“Traumatic brain injuries are more common than many people think,” explained Pamela Searles, OTR/L,CBIS, Neuro-Rehabilitation Services Manager. “In Maine alone, on average every week, there are nearly 200 TBI-related hospital emergency department visits. At CINR, we work 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. We want people to know that there is hope and help in overcoming the challenges associated with traumatic brain injury.”

Therapy at CINR includes artwork. “Our clients create beautiful paintings and other artwork,” explained Searles. As part of Brain Injury Awareness Month, artwork will be on display at the Caribou Public Library from March 16-31, 2020. “Our staff is excited to share the art created by our clients and we hope the community will stop by to enjoy their work.”

CINR will also host an open house at their facility at 159 Bennett Drive, Suite 1 in Caribou on March 18, 2020 from 10:30 a.m. -12:00. Clients will be sharing their stories of triumph in overcoming their injuries.

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. They address intellectual, emotional and social functioning deficits to increase a brain injury survivor’s maximum recovery. Services may include psychological services, group therapy, family support groups, physical, occupational and speech therapy as well as community reintegration.

Fully accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, CINR is currently accepting client referrals. Please contact them at 207-498-3820 for more information and/or eligibility requirements.

Aroostook Recovery Center of Hope (ARCH) will now hold Nar-Anon meetings on Mondays at 7:00 p.m. Opened in 2019, ARCH is located at 36 North Street in Houlton. It 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.

“Nar-Anon is a 12-step support meeting for those affected by a loved one’s addiction,” explained Eugene McLaughlin III, Peer Support Specialist, and Volunteer Coordinator. “It is estimated that for each addicted person, 10 others are affected including spouses, children, parents, siblings, and co-workers. This is a safe space for people to give and receive support from those who understand.”

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 Eugene McLaughlin at 254-2213.

Roads to Recovery, a service of Aroostook Mental Health Services (AMHC), will be hosting a Recovery Coaching Training from April 21-24, 2020. Roads to Recovery is located at One Water Street in Caribou and is a place where individuals can come and receive support for their recovery journey, connect people to resources, and also serve as a venue for a variety of recovery meetings.

“This training is one of the best I have ever attended,” said Erik Lamoreau, Substance Use Disorder Peer Recovery Center Manager. “I am so pleased we can bring this to Aroostook County and I encourage any person in recovery, an ally of recovery and/or a professional who works with individuals experiencing substance use disorder to participate. You won’t forget it!”

Known as CCAR Recovery Coach Academy, the four-day training is in collaboration with Portland Recovery Community Center. It will be held from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. each day and lunch will be provided. The cost for all four days is $20.00. The training offers professionals 30 CEUs (with the opportunity to attend a follow-up ethics training this summer and earn an additional 16 CEUs).

A limited number of seats are available. Please register by March 31, 2020, at https://weblink.donorperfect.com/rcacaribouapril2020. For more information about the training or Roads to Recovery services, please contact Erik Lamoreau by email at elamoreau@amhc.org or by phone at 207-493-1278.

Aroostook Mental Health Center (AMHC) is pleased to announce that Michelle Ferris, LCSW, Program Director of Emergency Services for Aroostook, Washington and Hancock counties, has been named the facilitator for the Maine Crisis Network for 2020. The network is a statewide crisis intervention program available 24/7 for anyone experiencing mental health concerns.

“To be named facilitator for the Maine Crisis Network demonstrates the respect Michelle has garnered among her peers across the State,” said Ellen Bemis, AMHC CEO. “She is a strong advocate not only for those in crisis but for those who are charged with providing the emergency services needed. Michelle is most deserving of this recognition.”

Membership includes representatives from area mobile crisis intervention programs and the statewide telephone crisis response system. As the facilitator, Michelle will be responsible for leading meetings and attending to issues that affect crisis leaders across the State. Goals for the coming year include ensuring crisis providers are using current best practices, being a voice to advocate at the State level as it relates to the crisis system, and identifying opportunities for improvement in the delivery of crisis services.

Aroostook Mental Health Center (AMHC) recently received positive remarks by the Centers for Disease Control for its leadership in Suicide Prevention. AMHC is one of several organizations in five states that received a three-year grant to focus on suicide prevention efforts. Because one suicide is one too many, the initiative is called “Zero Suicide.”

AMHC has implemented a series of questions that its direct care staff are now required to ask clients. The questions have assisted in several ways:

• Staff are more intentional about the issue of suicide among those individuals whom AMHC serves;
• The questions asked help reduce the stigma associated with suicide;
• Staff are more comfortable assessing for risk;
• AMHC is able to collect data specific to suicide and learn from that data to help our clientele.

“We are so pleased to have the Maine CDC and Federal CDC recognize our work in suicide prevention,” said Michelle Ferris, Director of Emergency Services. “The CDC has indicated that the steps we have taken can have a significant impact on reducing suicide rates. I am proud of our staff in Aroostook, Washington and Hancock Counties and welcome the opportunity to share what we have done to help move this initiative forward.” For more information on “Zero Suicide,” please visit www.zerosuicide.com.

AMHC has announced the opening of a Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) Clinic in Presque Isle. The clinics support individuals who are in detox and recovery from opiate drug use.

“MAT Clinics have become an important part of recovery for many individuals and creating access to those clinics is key to helping them,” explains Lorraine Chamberlain, Director of Integration and Behavioral Health in Aroostook County. “In addition, AMHC works with each person to develop a comprehensive treatment plan that includes group and individual substance use counseling as well as community contacts and resources. The combination seems to offer the best long-term success.”

AMHC is partnering with Pines Health Services to administer treatment. Potential clients will have access to the clinic based on their motivation and willingness to participate in all aspects of the program. AMHC places a significant focus on working with a person to develop positive natural support to promote behavioral change. Educational and clinical supports are also available to clients and their families to assist them in the recovery process. “Our staff is very conscientious of providing clients the treatment they need from the MAT Clinic,” shares Chamberlain. “At the same time, they are keeping in mind that our goal is to make this a temporary part of their treatment plan.”

Individuals seeking MAT Clinic treatment can speak with their individual counselors or call the Access Center at 1-800-244-6431 to get scheduled for a screening to determine if they are appropriate for the service. Once clients have been screened by a Substance Abuse Counselor and deemed appropriate for the program, they will be scheduled for induction into the clinic.

Aroostook Recovery Center of Hope (ARCH), a service of Aroostook Mental Health Center (AMHC) in collaboration with Link for Hope, will host a screening of “The Anonymous People” on Wednesday, January 22 at 6:00 p.m.

Opened in 2019, ARCH is located at 36 North Street in Houlton. It 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.

“The mark of a new year often represents a time to start fresh and make positive changes,” explains Eugene McLaughlin III, Peer Support Specialist and Volunteer Coordinator. “ARCH is hosting the screening of ‘The Anonymous People’ in order to offer hope for people struggling with or affected by substance use disorder. Our goal is to provide a safe place for those who are seeking, or are in recovery, the information they need to move forward.”

After viewing “The Anonymous People” there will be time for discussion and questions. For more information, please contact Eugene at 254-2213.

Roads to Recovery, a service of Aroostook Mental Health Center (AMHC) is announcing several new activities starting in January. Roads to Recovery is located at One Water Street in Caribou and is a place where individuals can come and receive support for their recovery journey, connect people to resources, and also serve as a venue for a variety of recovery meetings.

“Our peer center is growing in numbers and we’re pleased to expand our program offerings,” shared Erik Lamoreau, Substance Use Disorder Peer Recovery Center Manager. “When our community makes suggestions, we try hard to accommodate the need.”

Roads to Recovery will now host a weekly Nar-Anon meeting on Mondays at 6:30 p.m. Yoga and meditation have also been added to the schedule and will be held on Saturdays at 4:30 p.m. “We will also be conducting Naloxone training on Tuesday, January 21 at 6:00 p.m.,” said Erik. “Previous trainings have been well attended and we want to make sure everyone who wants to learn how to administer Naloxone has the opportunity to do so.”

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

AMHC is pleased to release its 2019 Annual Report to the community. “AMHC staff accomplished a great deal in 2019,” shares Ellen Bemis, CEO. “Thanks to their efforts nearly 6,000 individuals in Aroostook, Washington and Hancock Counties received support in mental health, substance use, crisis, and sexual assault services. I also wish to thank our many partners and donors who make this work possible. We look forward to 2020 and all that we can achieve together.”

The Aroostook Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC), a program of Aroostook Mental Health Center (AMHC), recently marked its one year anniversary of providing services to children and families. The CAC is committed to minimizing trauma and promoting healing for children and their families following the allegation of sexual abuse. The program provides a streamlined, timely and evidence-based community response in a safe and neutral environment.

Located in Fort Fairfield, in its first year, the CAC assisted more than 80 children and their families, highlighting the need for services in Aroostook County. “Prior to its opening, the closest Children’s Advocacy Center was in Bangor,” said Lori Deschaine, LCSW, Forensic Interviewer. “Having this program locally reduces the barriers in navigating a sometimes complex system while connecting the child and family with resources and supports.”

“This program would not be possible without the strong support it received from many local organizations and businesses who understood the need for this service,” explained Lydia Christie, Program Coordinator for Sexual Assault Services and Aroostook CAC.  “As we start our second year of operation, we wish to thank our community partners for making this possible.”

Donations will continue to be an important part of Aroostook CAC’s funding. “We are grateful for the continued support that helps ensure the sustainability of the program,” said Christie. Monetary contributions may be sent to Lydia Christie, AMHC, P.O. Box 1018, Caribou, Maine 04736. The CAC also has a list of program supplies available on the Amazon Aroostook CAC wish list accessible through the following link: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/29S0Y11KEEX6X.

Referrals for Aroostook CAC come through law enforcement, child protective services, or the district attorney’s office. To receive more information, contact the CAC directly at 207-472-6134.