May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and Aroostook Mental Health Services, Inc. (AMHC) has joined Mental Health America in highlighting its “Where to Start: Mental Health in a Changing World” campaign.
“One in five people will experience a mental health condition in any given year,” said Ellen Bemis, CEO. “Part of AMHC’s mission is to reduce the stigma associated with mental health by encouraging community members to know the resources available to support you or a family member in a time of need. Maintaining good mental health is essential to every individual’s overall health and well-being.”
While society is getting more comfortable with mental health discussions, it can be challenging to know where to start to seek help. Mental Health America offers a screening tool at screening.mhanational.org/screening-tools/ that can help people better understand what they may be experiencing.
After that, it is important to talk to a trusted friend, family member, teacher or someone else about the results, and as appropriate seek professional help.
AMHC encourages anyone who is struggling to reach out to the available resources, including these hotlines:
Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call 988, available 24/7 to call, text or chat.
Maine Crisis Line: Call 1-888-568-1112, available 24/7 to call, text or chat.
StrengthenME offers free stress management and resiliency resources to promote the health and well-being of all Mainers. Services are 100 percent anonymous and low barrier. Call 1-866-771-9276 or visit strengthenme.com/.
For more resources, including AMHC services county-wide, please visit www.amhc.org or call the AMHC Call Center at 1-800-244-6431.
Celebrating 60 years, AMHC is a nonprofit organization supporting up to 5,500 clients annually. The agency has 27 service sites and 350-plus employees providing mental health, substance use, crisis, and sexual assault services across Aroostook, Hancock, and Washington counties and in Aroostook, traumatic brain injury, and intellectual and developmental disabilities. For more information, contact AMHC at www.amhc.org.
