NAMI Maine Talks

In this week’s episode of NAMI Maine Talks, we sit down with Christy Gardner, president and founder of Mission Working Dogs. This organization raises and trains service animals to be matched with individuals with disabilities to give them their lives back. They also train therapy dogs to bring mental wellness to Mainers.   This group brings their work into schools, hospitals, and nursing homes to...

As June is recognized as PTSD awareness month, it is important to bring awareness to the Maine men and women who fought for their home and country. For this week's episode of NAMI Maine Talks, we were able to speak with the Executive Director of Vet 2 Vet Maine, Maggie Catanese.   Vet 2 Vet Maine is a non-profit organization that serves the veteran population of Maine. Matching veterans with o...

In this week’s episode of NAMI Maine Talks, join NAMI Maine’s Director of Marketing and Communications, Jill Henderson, as she talks about The Mental Edge Softball Camp with its founder, Oakley McLeod. Created in 2024, Oakley has organized this event to bring mental health awareness to youth softball players across the state. Her work has gained attention statewide, and this year the camp welcomed...

We all appreciate walking through gardens during the summer, but did you know gardening is a form of therapy for many people? In this week’s episode of NAMI Maine Talks, learn about the practice of Horticulture Therapy. Featuring Garron Dorr from the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, he’ll break down what Horticulture Therapy means and the benefits it brings to so many! You’ll also learn more about...

In this week’s episode of NAMI Maine Talks, take a trip back in time to learn about the historical figure, Nellie Bly. As an investigative journalist, Nellie Bly faked mental unrest to be admitted to an insane asylum, so that she could bring to light the horrid conditions that patients were subjected to.     Host:    Ambrose Ward, Marketing and Media Specialist   Delaney Ireland, Programs Coordina...

April is Counselling Awareness Month, so for this week's episode, we were able to sit down with members of the Maine Mental Health Counselors Association to learn more about counselling! Our guests delve into the work they do as counsellors and how MEMHCA works to encourage collaboration and support for developing and current counsellors. You'll also learn about the history of counselling...

In this week’s episode of NAMI Maine Talks, our Suicide Prevention Director, Mary Gagnon, sits down with Gordon Smith of the Maine OPTIONS Program to discuss substance use and its impact on families and communities. You’ll learn about the creation of the OPTIONS program and the work their liaisons do across the state. You can also learn about the use of Naloxone to save the life of someone during...

In this week’s episode of NAMI Maine Talks, learn about the Magic of Social Work with Maine’s resident wellness wizard, Conjuring Carroll! Join NAMI Maine’s Deputy Director, Libby Wright, as she sits down with Conjuring Carroll to learn about his work tying together magic and social work.     Working to strengthen communities and empower those within them, Conjuring Carroll is a public speaker who...

In this week’s episode of NAMI Maine Talks, join Ambrose and Libby as they sit down to talk with the Executive Director of Maine Youth Thriving, Dr. Delvina Miremadi-Baldino! Learn about the work that Maine Youth Thriving does around the state. Hoping to foster positive change in Maine, MyT works to highlight youth voices to help build strong and supportive communities. MyT also works to encourage...

Today marks the start of Eating Disorder Awareness Week, and to highlight the importance of this topic, NAMI Maine’s marketing and media specialist, Ambrose Ward, sat down with representatives from the Eating Disorder Association of Maine! Learn about the work that EDAM does across the state to promote body positivity and help prevent eating disorders. Listen to our guests' advice on how to st...

Join NAMI Maine’s marketing and media specialist, Ambrose Ward, as he sits down with Karl Schatz and Margaret Hathaway to talk about their work with The Community Plate. Dedicated to reducing isolation and improving communities across Maine, the Community Plate travels the state organizing community potlucks. Learn about the start of The Community Plate and how it has grown over time!     Host:   ...

Join some of the #NAMIMaineTalks crew and special guest, Ryan Eldridge from  Maine Cabin Masters  in this week’s new episode! With the snow finally starting to melt, it’s important to get outside. Ryan discusses how to destress after work, the importance of the outdoors and what "camp" means in Maine. He also shares how his success with the show caused a greater need for him to prioritiz...

Welcome back to season four of NAMI Maine Talks! To kick off the year, NAMI Maine’s Jill Henderson sits down with members of the Wade Millett Foundation to learn about the upcoming WMMF basketball games at the University of Southern Maine! Listen to guests Ryan Soucie and Casey Hamlin talk about their fond memories of their friend Wade, and the work they do to benefit mental health throughout the...

In this week’s episode of NAMI Maine Talks, join Delaney and Ambrose to talk about the importance of talking about mental health. It can be hard to start a conversation about mental health. This week’s discussion is focused on how to open up conversations around mental health. What is the best way to ask a friend if they’re struggling? How do you advocate for your own mental health? We can help yo...

Description:  In this week’s episode of NAMI Maine Talks, join Jill Henderson as she sits down to talk with Camden Blum, founder of The Simple Emotions. Starting his work at the age of 16, Camden has brought his business expertise into the world of Mental Health Advocacy! Learn about the work Camden has done with NAMI Maine and other mental health non-profits like us!     Host:   Jill Henderson - ...

In this week's episode of NAMI Maine Talks, join Deputy Director Libby Wright as she speaks with Bruce King and Mark Priceman from Maine Boys to Men. Maine Boys to Men is a group dedicated to reducing violence, expanding the concept of masculinity, and fostering richer community support. Learn about the work Maine Boys to Men does with Maine’s schools and new fathers. Join us in our conversati...

In this week’s episode of NAMI Maine Talks, join Ambrose after a trip to Acadia and learn about the importance of getting outside. Listen in while Ambrose speaks with Diane Hessemann, a social worker from New York City who moved to Maine for outdoor activities and beauty. Learn about new ways to get outside during the colder months and the best ways to be prepped for the cold!  

Join Ian and Mary in this weeks episode of NAMI Maine Talks, to start the conversation of Men's Mental Health Month, coming up in November. Our team sits down with Angela Whitten, Co-Founder of the Maine based organization, Stay; For Life. Learn about the work of their organization, and ways to open the conversation with men in your life who might be struggling. Guest: Angela Whitten (Stevens)...

In this week's episode of NAMI ME Talks, join Delaney and Ambrose to discuss mental health resources for Maine's Youth. From useful apps to in-person trainings, learn about the work that NAMI Maine's Youth Education Department is doing! Also, tune in to learn about the information that NAMI Maine provides for youth-serving adults across the state!

In this week’s episode of NAMI Maine Talks, we look back at a previous episode featuring Dr. Stacey Freedenthal, Ph D, LCSW, author of Loving Someone with Suicidal Thoughts: What Family, Friends, and Partners Can Say and Do. Dr. Freedenthal provides guidance on how to talk with a loved one about their suicidal thoughts, how to listen, and how to connect them with help and hope. For more informatio...

Join NAMI Maine's Suicide Prevention Director, Mary Gagnon, and her guest, Steven Karaiskos, programs manager for Camp Kita, discuss Suicide Prevention month. Have you ever wondered if a friend or loved one is contemplating suicide but never knew how to start that conversation? Well, Mary and Steven are here to help you learn about the best ways to talk about the topic of suicide. Also, learn...

In this episode of NAMI Maine talks, join Julianne as she sits down with the clinical director of Assistance Plus! Learn about the work that they do for Mainers across the state. Listen in, as Deanne Ochoa-Durrell talks about the work they do for Mainers across the lifespan; from youth support, to in-home care, Assistance Plus is there for Maine! https://www.assistanceplus.com/https://www.facebook...

In celebration of International Youth Day, Deanna and Delaney from NAMI Maine’s Youth Education team sit down to spotlight the strength, bravery, and resilience of young people who are leading the charge in equipping their communities with the tools to support those with mental health challenges.  From NAMI Maine Youth Education’s team Rooted in Strength summer event to our upcoming back-to-school...

Join Deanna and Jill from NAMI Maine in this month’s special episode of #NAMIMaineTalks 🎧 catch up with us as we sit down with Karin Heim, Mental Health Coordinator at OUT Maine. OUT Maine works to help strengthen the LGBTQ+ community in the state. From counseling for parents, teachers, and care givers, to queer youth and organizing events across the state, learn about all of the work that OUT Ma...

Join some of the #NAMIMaineTalks crew and special guest, Ryan Eldridge from  Maine Cabin Masters  in this week’s new episode! With the snow finally starting to melt, it’s important to get outside. Ryan discusses how to destress after work, the importance of the outdoors and what "camp" means in Maine. He also shares how his success with the show caused a greater need for him to prioritiz...