Spurwink’s Cumberland County Crisis Receiving Center — launched in 2022 at 62 Elm St., Portland — also known as the Living Room, was a first-of-its-kind center designed to provide an alternative to the emergency room or jail for people who are going through a mental health crisis. Spurwink announced plans to open a similar facility in Lewiston in mid-2026. (Ben McCanna/Staff Photographer)
LEWISTON — A new crisis center is expected to be opened on Lisbon Street in the spring after the nonprofit group Spurwink received a grant from the Maine Department of Health and Human Services.
The Behavioral Health Crisis Receiving Center, planners say, “will offer 24/7/365 access to short-term crisis stabilization, observation, assessment, and intervention for transition-age youth and adults experiencing behavioral health crises.
“The Center will provide a welcoming, home-like environment designed to reduce stigma and trauma,” according to a Spurwink press release, “offering an alternative to emergency room visits or law enforcement involvement for individuals in crisis.”
Planners expect the center to be opening in late May or early June at 1155 Lisbon St. The center will serve all of Androscoggin County and surrounding rural areas.
“This is good news for Lewiston,” said City Administrator Bryan Kaenrath. “By offering a compassionate alternative to emergency room visits or law enforcement involvement, the center will help strengthen both community well-being and public safety. This initiative demonstrates how innovative, evidence-based approaches can help to reduce trauma, improve outcomes and set a model for communities across the state.”
“The police department welcomes this news,” said Lewiston police Chief Carly Conley, “and looks forward to the valuable resources it will provide to members of the community.”
The new center in Lewiston is expected to fill gaps in the behavioral health crisis system, a gap described by some as critical.
“The need for mental health support has never been greater,” said Lewiston Mayor Carl Sheline. “People in crisis don’t need our judgment, they need support and this center will provide exactly that. I’m grateful to Spurwink for standing up this facility.”
In 2022, Spurwink launched Maine’s first Crisis Receiving Center in Portland. That center, Spruwink officials say, has served more than 2,400 people and has provided more than 25,000 hours of service.
They expect to use the same “Living Room” model in Lewiston, with modifications to meet the unique needs of Androscoggin County.
“Our team is committed to delivering high-quality, person-centered care that meets people where they are, when they need it most,” said Eric Meyer, president and CEO of Spurwink. “The new Crisis Receiving Center will help individuals and families in our community access timely support, avoid unnecessary hospitalization, and connect to ongoing services for recovery and wellness.”
Center officials are expected to form partnerships with area police, hospitals, housing agencies and community organizations “to ensure seamless referrals and warm handoffs.”
The project will be funded by the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Behavioral Health, through the Network of Behavioral Health Crisis Receiving Centers grant program.