It’s sad news, but the children of Maine consistently rank toward the very top when it comes to the number of youths with some form of mental health disorder. It doesn’t get too much better with age… About 5.1% of Maine adults suffer from a serious mental illness, which is higher than the national average. Furthermore, about 30% of Maine residents suffer from some form of disability, which is much higher than the national average.
Fortunately, there’s help. No shortage of providers (or shortage of funds) should ever prevent you from getting the help you deserve. The following resources are free of charge, confidential, and available to all Maine residents. Help yourself or someone you love today.
The National Mental Health Hotline
If you need to connect with a mental health specialist, call 1-866-903-3787 right now. A trained professional will take your call and assist you however she or he can. A world of resources is waiting for you. The hotline is available to all US residents and operates on a 24/7 basis.
Maine DHHS
The state’s Department of Human Health and Services offers a 24-hour crisis hotline which can be reached at 1-888-568-1112 or simply by dialing 711. For suicide prevention, call the same number(s). At the bottom of the site, there is a printable hotline card.
NAMI Helpline & More
The National Alliance on Mental Illness provides a wealth of resources, including the NAMI Helpline, which can be reached by calling 1-800-950-6264 or by emailing info@nami.org. Although the helpline is only available Monday through Friday from 10 AM until 8 PM EST, there is a 24/7 text line available. Simply text ‘NAMI’ to 741-741 for assistance.