In this SPECIAL EPISODE we will explore the annual Maine HOPE Conference. This year we were there to talk to attendees, presenters and committee members to explore this beloved annual conference that brings peers together to learn, connect, grow, and celebrate the journey.

Interviews Recorded: May and July 2026

LINKS/RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Maine HOPE Conference website
• Maine HOPE Conference Facebook

Disclaimer: The Consumer Council System of Maine (CCSM) is an independent public instrumentality and provides a nonpartisan or nonbiased perspective on any topic we speak on. Our goal is to represent the voice of people with lived experience with mental health challenges in public policy and legislative matters.

In this second episode of a two-part series, our conversations continue to dive into the lived realities of a system that has shaped, and too often harmed, the people it was meant to serve. Simonne Maline, Judge Dan Wathen, and Vickie McCarty bring decades of experience working within the mental health system and the courts to share what they've seen, what's changed, and what still needs to.

Interviews Recorded: January & March 2026

LINKS/RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Maine Legislative Website
• Rights of Recipients

Disclaimer: The Consumer Council System of Maine (CCSM) is an independent public instrumentality and provides a nonpartisan or nonbiased perspective on any topic we speak on. Our goal is to represent the voice of people with lived experience with mental health challenges in public policy and legislative matters.

Starting off Season Two we explore this important topic in a two part series. In this first episode of a two-part series, our hosts trace the troubling history of institutionalization and its lasting impact on people with lived experience of mental health challenges.

Community leaders Pat Deegan and Kelly Staples join the conversation to share their experiences and expertise, bearing witness to a harmful system and providing peer-focused alternatives for recovery.

Interviews Recorded: December 2025 & February 2026

LINKS/RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Hopeful Horizons Blog
• The Politics of Memory
• Out Of the Shadows – Film Series
• In Remembrance of the Magnitude of Human Warehousing
• Intentional Peer Support
• Progressive Treatment Program  
   

Disclaimer: The Consumer Council System of Maine (CCSM) is an independent public instrumentality and provides a nonpartisan or nonbiased perspective on any topic we speak on. Our goal is to represent the voice of people with lived experience with mental health challenges in public policy and legislative matters.

In this special episode, we cover question number one on the Maine referendum ballot. We sit down with two community leaders who share the importance of accessible voting and discuss ways we can advocate for voters living with disabilities. Our guests share insight into question one and how it would affect accessible voting if it were to pass. We also hear from a Mainer who speaks about his experiences with voting and the importance of absentee options as someone with a disability.  

Important Voting Information:  Maine Referendum Election: Tuesday, November 4th, 2025  Absentee ballots can be requested NOW.  

Deadline for absentee voting:  The deadline to request an absentee ballot or vote in the presence of the clerk is 5 p.m. on Thursday, October 30th

Interviews Recorded: September 2025 

LINKS/RESOURCES

Disability Rights Maine

Protecting the Disability Vote

Voting Rights Hotline: 1-800-452-1948

Save Maine Absentee Voting 

Absentee Ballot Request
The 2025 Maine Referendum Election Questions

Find where to cast your ballot in Maine 

Noah Carver's Op Ed on Question One

Disclaimer: The Consumer Council System of Maine (CCSM) is an independent public instrumentality and provides a nonpartisan or nonbiased perspective on any topic we speak on. Our goal is to represent the voice of people with lived experience with mental health challenges in public policy and legislative matters.

TW: self-harm; institutionalization; suicidal ideation; suicide attempt; abuse; substance use 

In the third episode of our conversation on art and recovery, Our Voice of Maine welcomes peer artists Bob Bergeron, Ant, and Hope Becker. Each shares their unique mental health journey and how art has supported their healing and connection to others. These chats highlight the transformative role creativity plays in surviving, expressing, and thriving.

Interview Recorded: July 2025 

LINKS/RESOURCES

The Pirate Ship- Bob Bergeron Comics
The Pirate Ship Facebook Page 

Maine Arts Academy

Artists’ Rapid Response Team

Disclaimer: The Consumer Council System of Maine (CCSM) is an independent public instrumentality and provides a nonpartisan or nonbiased perspective on any topic we speak on. Our goal is to represent the voice of people with lived experience with mental health challenges in public policy and legislative matters.

TW: suicide/self harm

In our second of three episodes surrounding the world of art and mental health, we sit down with several peers at the Shalom House Art Program in Portland. 

Tenney Swift, John Russell, Kristin, Daniell Moores, and Frank (order of story) each share their experiences with mental health and how art has been an impactful tool for recovery. 

Each of the artists is involved with the community of the Shalom House Art Program in Portland, and they discuss the importance of community and collaboration.

We hope you enjoy hearing their stories about the way that art and creativity have aided their ability to express themselves and guided their journeys. 

Interview Recorded: July 25, 2025 

LINKS/RESOURCES

Shalom House

Shalom House Art Program Facebook

Shalom House Instagram 

Disclaimer: The Consumer Council System of Maine (CCSM) is an independent public instrumentality and provides a nonpartisan or nonbiased perspective on any topic we speak on. Our goal is to represent the voice of people with lived experience with mental health challenges in public policy and legislative matters.

TW: Institutionalization

In this episode of Our Voice of Maine, we speak with Natasha Mayers of the Artists’ Rapid Response Team about the power of art in personal and collective recovery. Natasha shares her experiences as an artist-activist, the role of creativity in navigating mental health challenges, and how art can be a powerful tool for resilience, expression, and social change.

Interview Recorded: July 8, 2025 

YouTube/Video of Episode: https://youtu.be/O9d3BlHbh_E?si=z2c1XLamovzr_h9A

LINKS/RESOURCES

Maine Humanities Council

Maine Arts Commission

LINC Center

MOCO Maine

Augusta Mental Health Institute

Disclaimer: The Consumer Council System of Maine (CCSM) is an independent public instrumentality and provides a nonpartisan or nonbiased perspective on any topic we speak on. Our goal is to represent the voice of people with lived experience with mental health challenges in public policy and legislative matters.

TW: Substance use; suicide 

 In this special episode, we talk with Nio DiPietrantonio, founder of Serving Up Support Maine, about mental health and substance use struggles in the hospitality industry. Nio shares her personal journey and what led her to launch this grassroots support initiative that is fostering community care among hospitality workers in Maine. 

Interview Recorded: June 6, 2025 

🎧 Tune in to hear from Nio!

LINKS/RESOURCES

Home - Culinary Hospitality Outreach and Wellness

The Autism Society of Maine - individuals with Autism, their families, members of the community, and the professionals who work with them

Welcome - Maine Parent Federation

VA Maine Health Care | Veterans Affairs

Maine Invites You - Maine Tourism Association

MyFriendBen - Finding benefits and tax credits just got easier

Kitchen Confidential- Anthony Bourdain

SOURCES/CITATIONS

Maine Office of Tourism – 2023 Annual Report
Maine Office of Tourism 2023 Annual Report
https://motpartners.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/MOT-2023-Annual-Report_FINAL.pdf
→ Provides data on statewide visitation, spending, employment, wages, and visitor satisfaction

Maine Office of Tourism – Greater Portland & Casco Bay Region 2023 Profile
2023 Regional Tourism Impact Report – Greater Portland & Casco Bay
https://motpartners.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2023-Portland-Region.pdf
Details regional data: visitor spending, job support, and income impact in the Portland metro area

Visit Portland – Economic Impact Summary
Tourism’s Economic Impact on Greater Portland (2024 Overview)
https://www.visitportland.com/about-us/tourism-impact/
→ Breaks down broader tourism data for the Portland region, including trip counts, employment, and earnings

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Occupational Estimates
https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/report_1959/ShortReport-1959.html
→ Ranks food service occupations highest for illicit drug use and third-highest for heavy alcohol use

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – Occupational Outlook & Mental Health Risks
Job Flexibility and Mental Health Challenges in Food Service Jobs
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/food-preparation-and-serving/home.htm
→ General reference for job outlook and challenges in the food preparation and serving industry

Disclaimer: The Consumer Council System of Maine (CCSM) is an independent public instrumentality and provides a nonpartisan or nonbiased perspective on any topic we speak on. Our goal is to represent the voice of people with lived experience with mental health challenges in public policy and legislative matters.

TW: substance use; psychiatric hospitalization; suicidal ideation

In the continued celebration of Pride Month, we bring you a powerful and heartfelt episode highlighting the voices of LGBTQIA+ mental health peers sharing their lived experience.

Our guests share personal stories of resilience and discovery of identity. They speak candidly about the intersection of queerness and mental health, including the barriers they’ve faced and the unity they've found through community support.

This episode is a celebration of authenticity and the healing power of shared experience. It's also a call to action: to listen, support, and stand in solidarity with LGBTQIA+ Mainers every day not just in June.

Benji Interview Recorded: March 15, 2025

Serena Interview Recorded: April 11, 2025

Tranifer Interview Recorded: May 23, 2025

🎧 Tune in to hear from these peers 

LINKS

Maine Community Health Centers

Everywhere is Queer

The Weird Fair

Art by Tranifer Lovely

Disclaimer: The Consumer Council System of Maine (CCSM) is an independent public instrumentality and provides a nonpartisan or nonbiased perspective on any topic we speak on. Our goal is to represent the voice of people with lived experience with mental health challenges in public policy and legislative matters.

We are so excited to kick off Pride Month with an episode from a very important mental health community leader, Karin Heim! 

Karin shares her experiences as a queer mental health provider. She also discusses the vital work being done to support the mental health and well-being of LGBTQ+ youth across the state.

Whether you're a parent, educator, mental health advocate, or community member, this conversation offers powerful takeaways on how we can all play a role in supporting LGBTQ+ youth and beyond.

Interview Recorded: May 15, 2025

🎧 Tune in to hear how we can break down barriers and build more equitable supports for all. 

LINKS

OUT Maine

Equality Maine Maine 

TransNet

NAMI Maine

Maine Women’s Lobby

Mental Health First Aid

Trevor Project  

Disclaimer: The Consumer Council System of Maine (CCSM) is an independent public instrumentality and provides a nonpartisan or nonbiased perspective on any topic we speak on. Our goal is to represent the voice of people with lived experience with mental health challenges in public policy and legislative matters.