NAMI Maine Talks

In this week’s episode of NAMI Maine Talks, sit down with our team and take a look back in history. This October marks 63 years since President John F. Kennedy signed the Community Mental Health Act. This act was one of the driving forces behind the deinstitutionalization of mental health treatment in America. By removing these barriers and bringing mental health care and education into communities, it was one of the first major movements to reduce stigma around mental illness. Learn about the act and how it’s left a lasting impact on mental health care in this episode of NAMI Maine Talks.  

Host:  

Libby Wright, Deputy Director 

Ambrose Ward, Marketing and Media Specialist 

Links: 

Check out more from NAMI Maine: https://namimaine.org/  

Look though NAMI Maine’s resource database: https://namimaine.org/maines-mental-health-resource-database/

Nellie Bly podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1eJrDdgpVhFZRBWvWyAHpN?si=19c249896e0140f6

MEMHCA podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3IwzaUkx9XgXYsXNSkkzhG?si=3c10492b23164814  

Join us for the second part of our conversation with ADHD specialist Dr. Chrisite Pickel in our deep dive into ADHD. What is it? How can you recognize it? What are the best practices? In this episode, you’ll hear some of the best first steps to seeking help with ADHD. You’ll also learn about some great voices in the ADHD community that offer free information online! Dr. Christie Pickel explains how she first began studying ADHD and how it has become a hot topic on social media.  

Host:  

Ambrose Ward, Marketing and Media Specialist  

Deanna Plaisted, Mental Health Education and Outreach Lead 

Guests:  

Dr. Christie Pickel, Maine ADHD Specialist 

Links: 

General ADHD Resources and Statistics: https://chadd.org/  

ADHD focused magazine with stories and articles from real people: https://www.additudemag.com/?srsltid=AU7gw4XFqtKPczEPay0i75W7GSJ0pE5VygLt2CviQUHTFmEILQzSxAY

Facts-Based Approach to ADHD: https://www.adhdevidence.org/  

Dr. Russell Barkley: https://www.youtube.com/@russellbarkleyphd2023  

Learn more about Dr. Christie Pickel: https://www.psychologyspecialistsme.com/dr-christie-pickel 

2 Distractable Doctors Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4sw88loeEhlpyidoPc6ill?si=5e1bb4be01d84487

How to ADHD: https://www.youtube.com/@HowtoADHD  

Tune in to episode one of two for our discussion on ADHD with Maine ADHD specialist Dr. Christie Pickel! In this episode, our team goes on a deep dive into ADHD. What is it? How can you recognize it? What are best practices? You’ll hear from ADHD specialist Christie Pickel, who shares her own experience and how she has built a career around studying and working with individuals with ADHD. Keep an eye out for part two as we continue our conversation!  

Host:  

Ambrose Ward, Marketing and Media Specialist  

Deanna Plaisted, Mental Health Education and Outreach Lead 

Guests:  

Dr. Christie Pickel, Maine ADHD Specialist  

Links: 

General ADHD Resources and Statistics: https://chadd.org/  

ADHD focused magazine with stories and articles from real people: https://www.additudemag.com/?srsltid=AU7gw4XFqtKPczEPay0i75W7GSJ0pE5VygLt2CviQUHTFmEILQzSxAYl

Facts-Based Approach to ADHD: https://www.adhdevidence.org/  

Dr. Russell Barkley: https://www.youtube.com/@russellbarkleyphd2023  

Learn more about Dr. Christie Pickel: https://www.psychologyspecialistsme.com/dr-christie-pickel  

In this week’s episode of NAMI Maine Talks, we sat down with Dianne Bunch, Vice President of Behavioral Health at Saint Mary’s. In this week’s conversation, we’ll learn more about their plans to expand their mental health facility and resources. You’ll learn about Maine’s growing need for mental health care and the work Saint Mary’s is doing to fill that void and help individuals navigate mental health support and resources. Make sure to tune in and see what the people of Maine are doing to strengthen their mental health and support one another in this week’s episode!  

Host:  

Ambrose Ward, Marketing and Media Specialist 

Guests:  

Dianne Bunch, Vice President of Behavioral Health at Saint Mary’s Medical Center 

Links: 

Saint Mary’s Behavioral Health - https://stmarysmaine.com/services/behavioral-and-mental-health-servicesStrong Futures (Adolescent Support) - 207-777-8898 

Rapid Access (Recovery Support) - 207-376-3419 

Behavioral Health Home (Behavioral Health Support) - 207-330-3962 

Partial Hospitalization Program (Day Hospital Program) - 207-777-8100 

St Mary's (General Information) - 207-777-8100 

NAMI Maine upcoming events - https://namimaine.org/events/  

NAMI Maine Helpline - https://namimaine.org/helplinemaine/  

Today marks the start of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and NAMI Maine wants to bring light to this important observance. Join our suicide prevention team to discuss the importance of September as Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Our team talks about the importance of suicide prevention work, especially for the state of Maine. You’ll learn about risk and protective factors, what to look for if you think someone is struggling, and the best language to use when offering help to a loved one. This month shows us that suicide prevention efforts are important and that it’s important for everyone to have an understanding of how to reach out and look after our own friends and family.  

Hosts:  

Mary Gagnon, Senior Clinical Director  

Ian Gould, Suicide Prevention Trainer 

Links: 

Check out the work of NAMI Maine’s Suicide Prevention Department: https://namimaine.org/suicide-prevention/  

Get in contact with us: https://namimaine.org/helplinemaine/  

Upcoming events from NAMI Maine: https://namimaine.org/events/  

Stay for Life: https://www.stayforlife.org/  

Maine CDC: https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/healthy-living/substance-use-and-behavioral-health/suicide-prevention  

American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: https://afsp.org/  

In this week’s episode of NAMI Maine Talks, join Ambrose Ward and Delaney Ireland to discuss the stress of going back to school. Although this shift back to school life can be stressful, learn about the resources that NAMI Maine provides. There are also plenty of other resources and materials to help you prioritize your mental health and wellness. From useful mental health apps to Maine-specific resources, there are plenty of ways to help Build Your Mental Health Toolkit! 

Host:  

Ambrose Ward, Marketing and Media Specialist 

Delaney Ireland, Youth Mental Health Education and Prevention Lead 

Links: 

NAMI Maine Youth Education Resources: https://namimaine.org/youth-ed-resources/ 

OUT Maine LGBTQ+ Youth Resources: https://www.outmaine.org/programs/for-youth/  

Maine Youth Thriving: https://maineyouththriving.org/  

SPURWINK Youth and Family Resources: https://spurwink.org/youth-and-family/youthbehavioralhealth/  

Hashtags: 

#stigmaFREE, #MentalHealthMattersToME, #ItTakesAllOfUs, #HOPE, #WellBeing, #Resources, #StrongerTogether #ReachOut, #Maine, #NAMI, #Youth, #Backtoschool, #Youthresources, #Youthmentalhealth 

In this week’s special episode of NAMI Maine Talks, we took our staff on the road to speak with Cara Cribb, Founder of Anchor ME Harbor. Cara speaks about her vision to provide a safe space for people and animals to come together in healing. Providing a respite from the stressors and anxiety we face each day. You’ll learn about how Cara first began her journey to bring this idea to Maine, and how it’s grown over the years. You’ll also learn about how animals can help be a positive aspect of someone’s mental health journey. Make sure to check out this episode and visit Anchor ME Harbor!  

Host:  

Jill Henderson, Director of Development and Communications 

Guests:  

Cara Cribb, Founder and Executive Director of Anchor ME Harbor  

Links: 

Check out Anchor ME Harbor: https://anchormeharbor.org/?fbclid=IwY2xjawTdveVleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFYWklNNkh3NTlUM0JsZUE2c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHvzaaBd5YHxykdCBw9mHDd_if4j-dkFEVLZ0YxrVAM34JSbGHZSP-FgLD1hR_aem_Tuxq--bZmkZ5m1e2aBuraw  

Visit their social media: https://www.facebook.com/anchorMEharbor  

Register for the 2026 Walk and Family Fun Fest: 2026 Walk & Family Fun Fest 

NAMI Maine Helpline: https://namimaine.org/helplinemaine/  

NAMI Maine Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/namimaine/  

NAMI Maine Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NAMIMaine/  

In this week’s episode of NAMI Maine Talks, join Deputy Director Libby Wright to learn about the work the Maine Celtics does to encourage healthy living in Maine schools. In this episode, we sit down with Jazz Rugira, Community Engagement Manager for the Maine Celtics, to learn more about this program in collaboration with Martin’s Point. You’ll learn about what a typical presentation looks like and how to reach out if you’re interested in seeing it at your school!  

Host:  

Libby Wright, Deputy Director 

Guests:  

Jasmine Rugira, Maine Celtics Community Engagement Manager  

Links: 

Check out more from the Maine Celtics: https://maine.gleague.nba.com/  

Check out their social media: https://www.instagram.com/maineceltics/  

Maine Outdoor Kids: https://www.maineoutdoorkids.com/  

NAMI Maine Helpline: https://namimaine.org/helplinemaine/  

NAMI Maine Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/namimaine/  

NAMI Maine Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NAMIMaine/  

In this week’s episode of NAMI Maine Talks, we sit down with Christy Gardner, president and founder of Mission Working Dogs. This organization raises and trains service animals to be matched with individuals with disabilities to give them their lives back. They also train therapy dogs to bring mental wellness to Mainers.  

This group brings their work into schools, hospitals, and nursing homes to help encourage mental well-being. The team also works in the Maine Department of Corrections, asking inmates to help train service dogs for veterans returning home from service. Learn about all this and more in this week's episode of NAMI Maine Talks!  

Host:  

Ambrose Ward, Marketing and Media Specialist 

Guests:  

Christy Gardner, Founder and President of Mission Working Dogs  

Links: 

Check out the work of Mission Working Dogs: https://www.missionworkingdogs.org/  

Looking to support their work: https://www.missionworkingdogs.org/support/  

Hashtags: 

#stigmaFREE, #MentalHealthMattersToME, #ItTakesAllOfUs, #HOPE, #WellBeing, #Resources, #StrongerTogether #ReachOut, #Maine, #NAMI, #ServiceAnimals, #TherapyDogs, #ServiceDogs, #WorkingDogs 

As June is recognized as PTSD awareness month, it is important to bring awareness to the Maine men and women who fought for their home and country. For this week's episode of NAMI Maine Talks, we were able to speak with the Executive Director of Vet 2 Vet Maine, Maggie Catanese.  

Vet 2 Vet Maine is a non-profit organization that serves the veteran population of Maine. Matching veterans with other local volunteer veterans, Vet 2 Vet provides support, companionship, and links to services across the state.  

Learn about the work that Vet 2 Vet has done to help fight social isolation and loneliness among our veterans. You’ll hear about the process to become a veteran volunteer, stories of success, and even how their organization is able to stretch from Presque Isle to Kittery. All this and more on NAMI Maine Talks! 

Host:  

Tori Tracy, Sr. Manager of CIT Partnerships and Education  

Guests:  

Maggie Catanese, Executive Director of Vet 2 Vet Maine  

Links: 

Check out the work of Vet 2 Vet Maine: https://www.vet2vetmaine.org/   

Looking to get involved as a veteran: https://www.vet2vetmaine.org/join-vet2vet-maine

Check out NAMI Maine's guide to caring for your veteran: https://namimaine.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Guide-to-Support-Your-Veteran.pdf