PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and Aroostook Mental Health Services Inc. joins the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) in highlighting its “You Are Not Alone” campaign.
“During COVID-19, many of us are challenged by fear and isolation,” explained Ellen Bemis, AMHC CEO. “It is more important than ever to develop coping skills that can help us prioritize our mental health and build resiliency, as well as support others who may be struggling.”
In the 2019 Maine Shared Community Health Needs Assessment report, mental health was tied with physical health as a top priority to address in Aroostook County.
The percentage of adults who reported that they lost 14 or more days due to poor mental health was significantly higher than the State of Maine overall (23.4 percent vs. 16.7 percent) in 2014-2016.
The percentage of adults with current symptoms of depression was higher than the State of Maine overall (11 percent vs. 8.4 percent) in 2014-2016.
The percentage of high school students who reported that they had been sad/hopeless for more than two weeks in a row increased between 2011 and 2017, from 22.6 percent to 28.3 percent.
“We know the pandemic has further increased the mental and emotional health challenges individuals are facing,” said Bemis. “For some, a simple phone call to a trained professional is enough to lighten their burden; for others, more support is needed.”
According to AMHC, some of the following mental health resources 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.
StrengthenME: 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 a complete list of resources, including AMHC services across Aroostook County, please visit www.amhc.org or call the AMHC Access Center at 1-800-244-6431.
