April is Counselling Awareness Month, so for this week's episode, we were able to sit down with members of the Maine Mental Health Counselors Association to learn more about counselling! Our guests delve into the work they do as counsellors and how MEMHCA works to encourage collaboration and support for developing and current counsellors. You'll also learn about the history of counselling and its roots in the world of mental health!

Host:

Ambrose Ward, Marketing and Media Specialist

Guests:

Alexander Katopis, MEMHCA Membership Chair

Jordan Shaw, 2026 MEMHCA President Elect

Links:

Learn more about MEMHCA - https://memhca.org/

Check out the National Chapter - https://www.amhca.org/home

In this week’s episode of NAMI Maine Talks, our Suicide Prevention Director, Mary Gagnon, sits down with Gordon Smith of the Maine OPTIONS Program to discuss substance use and its impact on families and communities. You’ll learn about the creation of the OPTIONS program and the work their liaisons do across the state. You can also learn about the use of Naloxone to save the life of someone during an overdose. Make sure to check out the great work of the OPTIONS program, and the work professionals are doing to reduce harm and prevent overdose.  

Host:  

Mary Gagnon, Director of Suicide Prevention 

Guests:  

Gordon Smith, Director of Opioid Response, The OPTIONS Program 

Links: 

Learn more about the OPTIONS Program: https://knowyouroptions.me/  

Find out more about Naloxone, and where to get it: https://knowyouroptions.me/get-naloxone/  

Learn about the OPTIONS program: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0LhJcnrXPw  

Check out upcoming NAMI Maine events:  https://namimaine.org/events/

#stigmaFREE, #MentalHealthMattersToME, #ItTakesAllOfUs, #HOPE, #WellBeing, #Resources, #StrongerTogether #ReachOut, #Maine, #NAMI 

In this week’s episode of NAMI Maine Talks, learn about the Magic of Social Work with Maine’s resident wellness wizard, Conjuring Carroll! Join NAMI Maine’s Deputy Director, Libby Wright, as she sits down with Conjuring Carroll to learn about his work tying together magic and social work.  

Working to strengthen communities and empower those within them, Conjuring Carroll is a public speaker who uses magic to amplify his messages of belonging and mental well-being! He was a great guest and brought to light the important role that Social Workers play in our state.  

Host:  

Libby Wright, Deputy Director 

Guests:  

Carroll Chapman (Conjuring Carroll)  

Links: 

Check out the Magic of Conjuring Carroll: https://www.conjuringcarroll.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawQubBFleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFrMElvYzlpUUZJcTNqR0NDc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHmnFlLAnArX5jBioHWspiPIMKVO6mcErfJXvyWXnh6xH0adnhAmgZRxdvzPs_aem_1NIvGlTCbhaArALApPI5X

Learn more about Carroll’s work and see his updates here: https://www.facebook.com/ConjuringCarroll/  

Learn about ways to celebrate National Social Workers Month: https://www.socialworkers.org/News/Social-Work-Month  

Check out NAMI Maine resources: https://namimaine.org/  

Hashtags: 

#stigmaFREE, #MentalHealthMattersToME, #ItTakesAllOfUs, #HOPE, #WellBeing, #Resources, #StrongerTogether #ReachOut, #Maine, #NAMI 

In this week’s episode of NAMI Maine Talks, join Ambrose and Libby as they sit down to talk with the Executive Director of Maine Youth Thriving, Dr. Delvina Miremadi-Baldino! Learn about the work that Maine Youth Thriving does around the state. Hoping to foster positive change in Maine, MyT works to highlight youth voices to help build strong and supportive communities. MyT also works to encourage care for the adults who serve the state's youth!

Hosts:  

Libby Wright, NAMI Maine Deputy Director  

Ambrose Ward, Marketing and Media Specialist  

Guests:  

Dr. Delvina Miremadi-Baldino, Executive Director of Maine Youth Thriving 

Links: 

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

Find out more about Dr. Delvina Miremadi-Baldino: https://drdelvina.com/  

Learn about the Mattering Cabins with Maine Cabin Masters: https://maineyouththriving.org/event/%f0%9f%8c%b2-crafting-mattering-a-family-event-for-maines-mattering-cabinsLearn more about NAMI Maine: https://namimaine.org/  

Check out NAMI Maine’s youth resources: https://namimaine.org/youth-ed-resources/  

#stigmaFREE, #MentalHealthMattersToME, #ItTakesAllOfUs, #HOPE, #WellBeing, #Resources, #StrongerTogether #ReachOut, #Maine, #NAMI, #YouthMentalHealth, #OnMyMind  

Today marks the start of Eating Disorder Awareness Week, and to highlight the importance of this topic, NAMI Maine’s marketing and media specialist, Ambrose Ward, sat down with representatives from the Eating Disorder Association of Maine! Learn about the work that EDAM does across the state to promote body positivity and help prevent eating disorders. Listen to our guests' advice on how to start the conversation if you’re worried about yourself or someone you love, and learn about access to resources that can help!  

Host:  

Ambrose Ward – Marketing and Media Specialist  

Guests:  

Sarah (Say) Carnahan, MA, MSW, LCSW – EDAM President  

Joshua Palomera, MS, RD, LD, CSN – EDAM Membership 

Links: 

Learn more about EDAM: https://www.maineeatingdisorders.org/  

Check out EDAM on Facebook and Instagram: https://www.facebook.com/edammaine & https://www.instagram.com/edam_maine  

Check out the National Eating Disorder Association: https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/  

Food Psych Podcast: https://christyharrison.com/foodpsych  

Learn more about NAMI Maine: https://namimaine.org/  

NAMI Maine’s Calendar of Events: https://namimaine.org/events/  

Hashtags: 

#stigmaFREE, #MentalHealthMattersToME, #ItTakesAllOfUs, #HOPE, #WellBeing, #Resources, #StrongerTogether #ReachOut, #Maine, #NAMI, #EDAW, #EatingDisorderAwareness, #edrecovery, #recovery  

Join NAMI Maine’s marketing and media specialist, Ambrose Ward, as he sits down with Karl Schatz and Margaret Hathaway to talk about their work with The Community Plate. Dedicated to reducing isolation and improving communities across Maine, the Community Plate travels the state organizing community potlucks. Learn about the start of The Community Plate and how it has grown over time!  

Host:  

Ambrose Ward – Marketing and Media Specialist  

Guests:  

Karl Schatz and Margaret Hathaway – Creators of The Community Plate 

Links: 

Learn more about The Community Plate: https://www.communityplate.me/  

Check out the Community Plate on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/communityplate.me  

Look for an upcoming dinner near you: https://www.communityplate.me/events  

Learn more about NAMI Maine: https://namimaine.org/  

NAMI Maine’s Calendar of Events: https://namimaine.org/events/  

Hashtags: 

#stigmaFREE, #MentalHealthMattersToME, #ItTakesAllOfUs, #HOPE, #WellBeing, #Resources, #StrongerTogether #ReachOut, #Maine, #NAMI

Join some of the #NAMIMaineTalks crew and special guest, Ryan Eldridge from Maine Cabin Masters in this week’s new episode! With the snow finally starting to melt, it’s important to get outside. Ryan discusses how to destress after work, the importance of the outdoors and what "camp" means in Maine. He also shares how his success with the show caused a greater need for him to prioritize his mental health.  

What helps you unwind while in nature? Comment below. 

Host:  

Jennifer Thompson, Executive Director  

Libby Wright, Deputy Director  

Guests:  

Ryan Eldridge, Maine Cabin Master 

Links: 

Maine Cabin Masters - ⁠https://mainecabinmasters.com/meet-the-masters/ryan-eldridge/

Mental Health Events in ME - ⁠https://namimaine.org/events/⁠ 

Maine Mental Health Database - ⁠https://namimaine.org/maines-mental-health-resource-database/

In Crisis? Call -or- Text 988 

Welcome back to season four of NAMI Maine Talks! To kick off the year, NAMI Maine’s Jill Henderson sits down with members of the Wade Millett Foundation to learn about the upcoming WMMF basketball games at the University of Southern Maine! Listen to guests Ryan Soucie and Casey Hamlin talk about their fond memories of their friend Wade, and the work they do to benefit mental health throughout the state!  

Host:  

Jill Henderson, Director of Development and Communications 

Guests:  

Ryan Soucie, Secretary of The Wade Milett Memorial Foundation 

Casey Hamlin, Board Member of The Wade Milett Memorial Foundation 

Links: 

Learn more about the WMMF: https://www.wmmemorialfoundation.org/  

Read Wade’s Story: https://www.wmmemorialfoundation.org/about  

WMMF X USM Basketball Tournament: https://www.wmmemorialfoundation.org/s/stories/a  

Learn about NAMI Maine: https://namimaine.org/  

In this week’s episode of NAMI Maine Talks, join Delaney and Ambrose to talk about the importance of talking about mental health. It can be hard to start a conversation about mental health. This week’s discussion is focused on how to open up conversations around mental health. What is the best way to ask a friend if they’re struggling? How do you advocate for your own mental health? We can help you step into action!  

Hosts:  

Ambrose Ward, Marketing and Media Specialist  

Delaney Ireland, Programs Coordinator  

Links: 

NAMI Maine’s STEP into Action Program: https://namimaine.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/RackCard_StepIntoAction_FINAL.pdf  

Check out NAMI Maine’s Youth Resources: https://namimaine.org/youth-ed-resources/  

How to talk about mental health from NAMI DC: https://www.namidc.org/why-is-it-so-hard-to-talk-about-mental-health/  

Hashtags: 

#stigmaFREE, #MentalHealthMattersToME, #ItTakesAllOfUs, #HOPE, #WellBeing, #Resources, #StrongerTogether #ReachOut, #Maine, #NAMI 

Description: 

In this week’s episode of NAMI Maine Talks, join Jill Henderson as she sits down to talk with Camden Blum, founder of The Simple Emotions. Starting his work at the age of 16, Camden has brought his business expertise into the world of Mental Health Advocacy! Learn about the work Camden has done with NAMI Maine and other mental health non-profits like us!  

Host:  

Jill Henderson - Director of Development and Communications 

Guests:  

Camden Blum – Founder of The Simple Emotions  

Links: 

Shop The Simple Emotions: https://thesimpleemotions.shop/ 

Visit Their Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.simple.emotions/  

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

Hashtags: 

#stigmaFREE, #MentalHealthMattersToME, #ItTakesAllOfUs, #HOPE, #WellBeing, #Resources, #StrongerTogether #ReachOut, #Maine, #NAMI