Chidren's Mental Health Awareness

Youth Advocates, NASCAR Pro Series Driver
Launch Awareness Campaign
at Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day

            Click here for Sun Journal story and photo caption

     AUGUSTA — Maine’s premiere youth aadvocacy group, Youth Motivating Others through Voices of Experience (”Youth MOVE Maine”) launched its 2010 public awareness campaign at the Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day celebration, May 6, State House, Hall of Flags, Augusta.

Youth MOVE joined a line-up of youth and family speakers that also included James VanOver, a Morse High School senior, who credited his biological mother’s hard choice, adoptive family’s love, group home’s perseverance and teachers’ supports with getting him to graduation day and a focused future.  Twelve-year-old Kala Grant, a Girl Scout with her troop mate at her side, spoke of her efforts to educate and build awareness in Scouts and middle school about being the sibling of “My Very Special Brother” who is autistic.

Youth MOVE speakers were: operations lead Ryun Anderson, who explained the history of this youth movement in Maine; Jenn McLaughlin who introduced the public service message “You Decide!“; and, Jenn, Allie Spear, Rodney Keisman and Brendon Venable  who performed “Shift your mind, drive your dreams,” a poem by Stephanie Knaus-Tucker, Brendon and Jenn.

NASCAR Pro Series rookie driver Travis Dunbar described how his life from chaotic home life to teenage track star to a two-time All-American with hopes of an Olympic run overcame the results of an auto accident that ended his running career to become a race car owner/driver and mentor of the Youth MOVE Maine Racing Team.

“Travis is the perfect spokesman for our 2010 awareness campaign,” says Brianne Masselli, Youth MOVE Maine’s co-founder. “His life is literally all about shifting gears. He is a role model for what youth stand for— resiliency, self-determination and hope— key factors in mental health and wellness.”

“I’m so pleased to represent these young people,” says Dunbar. “Their commitment to unite their voices and inspire others mirrors my own desire to mentor and motivate young people who persevere through adversity and keep driving their dream.”

Through youth-adult partnerships Youth MOVE trains providers, collaborates with family members, advocates in the community and works with policy makers and program administrators to enhance governance and evaluation.

“We are always getting new members that come from backgrounds where they don’t have access to resources,” says member Matt Brooks, “and Youth MOVE is a perfect place for them to find the help that they need.”

“Through Youth MOVE I am helping to improve the mental health system where youth are concerned,” says Kyle Prior, “I am able to help make the mental health system more accessible to youth.”

“What means the most to me is knowing that I’m helping people,” says Brooks.

“And sometimes, it’s just about getting together and having fun!” Masselli says.

There is lots of fun in store these parallel rookie seasons starting with the Youth MOVE Racing Team’s 2010 Season Opener scheduled for May 29, 6:30 pm at Beech Ridge Motor Speedway in Scarborough.

Youth MOVE Maine (www.youthmovemaine.org), the state chapter of Youth Move National, works to ensure that youth in Maine’s youth-serving systems are prepared for life. Youth MOVE Maine is dedicated to the redevelopment of systems and services, and advocates for youth to use their power and expertise to make change within their communities and within their own lives.

From left: Arabella Perez, Lisa Preney, Chris Copeland, Rep. Brian Bolduc, Dustin Strout, Ani Sebastian, Matt Brooks, Cheyenna Spelman, Hillary Groves, Allie Spear, Rep. Peggy Rotundo, Kyle Prior, Ryun Anderson, Ryan Conrad, Brianne Masselli, Enrico Herring

LEWISTON- Young people who say they now have hope for the future because of life-saving mental health and social services shared their stories with local legislators January 25 at a “Legislative Dialogue Café” hosted by Tri-County Mental Health Services at the Carriage House. 

Five members of Youth M.O.V.E. Maine told Rep. Peggy Rotundo (D-Lewiston) and Rep. Brian Bolduc (D-Auburn) individual stories of how combinations of mental health services, area homeless shelters, subsidized housing, drug court, case management, community-based services, a system of care youth committee, and natural peer supports have helped them and/or their immediate family members manage depression, self-abuse, and the effects of trauma, neglect, and violence. 

• “If services get cut, then I won’t be able to continue working towards my goal to get off disability and go to college to be a nurse or CSI. I want to provide my son the best life. I won’t be able to do these things and stop the abuse in my family if cuts are made.”

• “It costs taxpayers more to keep a person in jail than it does to provide them community-based services. Before I went to drug court, I didn’t know help was out there, and I did not know how to ask for it. In drug court, I learned about services that have helped me stay safe and drug-free so that I can finish high school.”

• “Without all the resources that the foster care and mental health systems have provided me, I wouldn’t be sober now and in college. Because of services, I am studying to become a social worker to help kids like I was– in group homes, foster homes, and homeless.”

The Legislators congratulated the youth on their compelling stories, their strength and their resilience. They explained the struggle Maine is in to close its budget gap, and why the largest cuts are aimed at education and health and human services. 

“I encourage you all to continue telling your stories,” said Rep. Rotundo, who acknowledged the young people’s emphasis that cuts in services will have a negative ripple effect on them, their famlies and their peer supports.

Rep. Bolduc agreed with the youth that short-term gains have long-term consequences, and that services are cost-effective in supporting recovery and independence.

For more information on youth-guided opportunties, go to:  http://thriveinitiative.org/youth-guided/ For more information on youth voice, youth advocacy and Youth M.O.V.E. - Maine, go to:  http://www.youthmovemaine.org/ or call Brianne Masselli at 207-782-5783 x1602.

Justin Strout 21 has no family, has lived in 5 foster homes and 2 group homes ; Strout was named one of America’s Outstanding Young Leaders, an award honoring 100 foster care youths nationwide who have excelled in the areas of community service, education, accomplishment and leadership.

Read the complete Sun Journal article…

Watch Dustin’s Story of help and hope

Dustin Strout Honored for Achievement and Community Service
Watch Dustin’s Story of help and hope

LEWISTON and WASHINGTON, D.C. — THRIVE System of Care Initiative and FosterClub are pleased to announce that Dustin Strout is one of 100 foster care youth nationwide just named Outstanding Young Leaders of 2009. FosterClub recognized Dustin and the others for leadership, accomplishments, educational achievement and community service.

“The award means everything to me,” Strout says. “Now people can read about my life, from how I grew up to what I am now. Everybody has it in them. They just have to try and believe. It’s all a mind set. It’s not just going to fall into your lap. It doesn’t matter what people think, say or do, just be you,” he says.

21-year-old Dustin entered foster care at 18 months and had five placements until the age of 9, when he ran away for the first of many times. In and out of group homes for eight years, he also spent a year in a lockdown mental institution. Despite these obstacles, he graduated from high school and just completed his first college semester aiming for a degree in human services, so he can “help kids in my position.”

Strout advocates for homeless awareness, including starring in the autobiographical “Digital Stories: Where there is Help, there is Hope.” The 12-min video aired throughout May at Flagship Cinema in Auburn and is available to schools and other community organizations through THRIVE, where Strout is a member of the Youth Committee. For more of Dustin’s story, go to: http://www.fosterclub.com/young-leaders/dustin-strout

“Despite the hardships and setbacks these Outstanding Young Leaders faced, they are committed to making a difference for the children and youth still in foster care,” said Congressman Jim McDermott (D-WA), chair of the U.S. House Income Security and Family Support Subcommittee which has jurisdiction over the nation’s child welfare system.

Foster care was designed as a temporary solution to remove children from abuse and neglect, but children often languish in foster care before returning to their families, joining new adoptive families or living permanently with relative caregivers. More than 26,000 young people “aged out” of foster care last year without a permanent family to rely upon. Research reveals that many youth who “age out” of foster experience homelessness, unemployment, incarceration or illness – fewer than 3% of youth who age out of foster care graduate from college and nearly 1 in 5 become homeless.

THRIVE System of Care Initiative is building a network of services and supports for children and youth who have experienced severe emotional disturbance and their families in Androscoggin, Franklin and Oxford counties. The Thrive Initiative promotes family-driven, youth-guided, culturally and linguistically competent, and trauma-informed services. It is a partnership of Maine’s Children’s Behavioral Health Division, Tri-County Mental Health Services, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration in collaboration with local provider agencies.

FosterClub is the national network for young people in foster care. FosterClub’s mission is to improve life for young people in foster care through a national network that is built for youth and powered by youth. The organization is founded on the principle that young people in and from foster care deserve to be connected, informed, inspired and represented.

Prepared for Maine Children’s Behavioral Health Services

The THRIVE System of Care Initiative in Lewiston, Maine, hosted, participated in, and/or helped organize the following activities during the month of May 2009, to celebrate and promote Children’s Mental Health and its national awareness week.

May 7: “Digital Stories: Where there is help, there is hope” and Community Dialog

Premiere of an 11-minute video filmed at original locations of two separate autobiographical stories of youth resiliency in the face of foster care/homelessness and suicide/substance abuse. In addition to the moving stories, the video displays relevant statistics as well as crisis hotlines and shelter numbers. It stars, as well as is written, directed and produced by Thrive Youth. Following the showing, a youth panel hosted a community dialog.

Outcomes: In addition to media publicity, 25-30 community members attended, including a middle school principal, school staff, youth and adults. Discussion is ongoing about offering Digital Stories to area middle and high schools and/or using at conferences.

May 8-31: “Digital Stories: Where there is help, there is hope”

Digital Stories aired full-length prior to “Wolverine” at Flagship Cinema, Auburn, Maine, each Fri-Sat-Sun during the month of May.

Outcomes: Two full-size movie posters with movie stills, shelter and crisis phone numbers were posted in and outside the cinema for the month of May. Older youth and general movie audiences saw youth-narrated and produced stories of hope and recovery from homelessness and suicide. Posters will be reused at other venues.

May 8: Hall of Flags “Know Us, Know Our Stories”

Hosted by Maine’s Children Behavioral Health Services with organizational planning by G.E.A.R. Parent Network and THRIVE, which managed agenda, exhibitor coordination and provided five speakers, including two youth and a parent. Thrive youth told stories of hope and recovery from homelessness and suicide/substance abuse. Thrive family member and a Thrive family partner explained the elements and benefits of the family partner program. Thrive staff summarized Family and Youth programs.

Outcomes: Event coverage by local ABC afilliate WMTW-TV 8; more than 60 attended, including exhibitors, youth, visitors and legislators. The 32 exhibiting organizations were nearly double the number from the prior year.

May 11, 18 and 26: THRIVE Family Committee Open Houses

Outcomes: These *first-time* events hosted by Thrive Parent Partners in three separate counties received both print and repeat radio publicity. Participation was: 15 providers and families in Lewiston, ME; 20 in Farmington, ME; and 13 in Norway, ME. Area families learned more about community resources, including family organizations, and providers. THRIVE networked with all participants increasing awareness of its supports.

LEWISTON – The THRIVE System of Care Initiative and Youth MOVE Maine are hosting a youth-guided Community Dialog following the premiere of “Digital Stories,” Thursday, May 7, 4-6 pm, Carriage House, 1119 Lisbon Street, Lewiston. “’Digital Stories’ delivers a powerful message of hope and recovery for youth who have experienced severe emotional disturbances caused by neglect, homelessness, depression, substance abuse and stigma,” says Brie Masselli, THRIVE youth coordinator. “The stories of Hillary Groves, Dustin Strout and others may leave you speechless, but they will not leave you alone,” Masselli says. “I want to get the word out there to help others like me through my story,” says Groves. The cast and crew want youth to know that where there is help, there is hope. Where there is hope, there can be recovery that results in these very youth contributing to the health and wholeness of their communities. The public is invited. Viewer discretion is advised due to the potential for strong emotional reactions to the material presented. A panel discussion will follow the premiere. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, please call 1-877-784-4705.

THRIVE System of Care Initiative is building a network of services and supports for children and youth who have experienced severe emotional disturbance and their families in Androscoggin, Franklin and Oxford counties. The Thrive Initiative promotes family-driven, youth-guided, culturally and linguistically competent, and trauma-informed services. It is a partnership of Maine’s Children’s Behavioral Health Division, Tri-County Mental Health Services, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration in collaboration with local provider agencies.

Youth MOVE Maine is a youth led organization devoted to improving services and systems that support positive growth and development by uniting the voices of individuals who have lived experience in various systems including mental health, juvenile justice, education, and child welfare.

On May 8, 2006, across the nation, many communities will once again celebrate National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day by planning activities that are creative and meaningful for their individual communities. The theme for the day is “Thriving in the Community”.

Tri-County Mental Health Services, the area’s largest and most comprehensive provider of mental health services for children, will observe the event by reaching out to children and families through public libraries. Focusing on its groundbreaking work to develop a “Trauma-Informed System of Care” for children with severe emotional disturbances, the agency will offer informational toolkits for public libraries to share with their communities. The toolkits will contain a resource list of books for children from grade school to high school that address the issues of mental health, free bookmarks for children, youth, and families, and other resource information.

Tri-County Mental Health Services is Maine’s most comprehensive agency dealing with the psychological and social well-being of children, adults, and elders. TCMHS serves over 6,000 individuals each year with innovative programs and services addressing mental health, substance abuse, mental retardation/developmental disabilities, autism, and more. Its philosophy of building toward recovery and sensitivity to traumatic experiences of consumers gives hope to individuals, families, and communities in Androscoggin, Northern Cumberland, Franklin and Oxford counties. For information about Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day, call 783-9141 x 300.

For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Tina Clark, APR
Director of Development & Community Relations
207-784-4110 x 158
tclark@tcmhs.org