Penobscot Community Health Care is expanding its mental health services, cutting wait times with a new space for immediate assessments.
BANGOR, Maine — Limited availability of providers and lengthy wait lists for mental health services means many Mainers are going without the help they need. That’s why organizations in Greater Bangor are working to change that by expanding access.
“We find that if you have more of a laid back atmosphere people feel more comfortable diving into whatever they may need to dive into,” said Meisha Nickerson, the executive clinical director at Penobscot Community Health Care.
A new space at PCHC is giving more people a chance to see a therapist without hesitation at a time when some Mainers are waiting weeks or even months for help.
“All people have to do is give us a call, and we’ll get them almost immediately in for an assessment and connected to a therapist,” Nickerson said.
PCHC recently moved its mental health access center to its Brewer Medical Center location. The larger space, now known as PCHC Behavioral Health Connection, allows people to get access to therapy the same week of referral.
“We’re able to get more people in,” Nickerson said.
They increased the number of therapists from six to eight, with each one carrying between 30 and 50 patients at a time.
The expansion also means more rooms where sessions take place and more one-on-one and group therapy sessions.
Agency-wide there are more than 1,700 patients receiving mental health services like medication management, counseling, and therapy.
“It’s really easy to get to us here, and we want to help and we’re available to help,” Nickerson said.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 260,000 people in Maine live in a community that doesn’t not have enough mental health professionals.
Seantel Douffet is the clinical supervisor of the walk-in clinic in Community Health and Counseling Services’ Children’s Behavioral Health Clinic.
“They’re coming here for those services when there’s so many rural communities around us that have nothing,” Douffet said.
Health professionals at CHCS provide mental health services to more than 2,900 people statewide. Leaders with the organization say they are working to remove barriers by having a peer there for anyone who walks in through the door.
“When people are seeking services, timing is everything if you need added support, you want it then when you come in,” said Leslie Lenning, the clinical director for CHCS.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, help is available around the clock. You can call the Maine Crisis Line at 1-888-568-1112 or the national suicide and crisis lifeline by dialing 988.