Nonprofit mental health care provider Sweetser opens clinic in Sanford
Courtesy / Sweetser
Jayne Van Bramer, president and CEO of Sweetser, cuts the ribbon at the nonprofit's new mental health and substance use clinic in Sanford.
Using a $4 million federal grant, Saco-based nonprofit Sweetser has opened a mental health and substance use clinic in Sanford, and says the facility will be able to help care for 750 Maine children and families.
The behavioral health services provider received the four-year grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to open the facility. It's one of the first federally certified community behavioral health clinics in York County.
Sweetser spokesman Justin Chenette told Mainebiz that the $4 million will go towards program costs, and that the organization renovated an existing building to convert it to a clinic, which is staffed by a dozen people.
Certified community behavioral health clinics are designed to boost timely access to mental health and substance use services in areas that otherwise lack accessibility. Services include 24/7 crisis response and medication-assisted treatment.
“We have to meet folks where they’re at and in communities that desperately need more services,” said Wendy Anders, Sweetser’s senior director of community services. “This clinic will reduce barriers to accessing services in the region and will create a one-stop shop for meeting various levels of patient needs.”
The new clinic, at 863 Main St. in downtown Sanford, will provide services including outpatient mental health and substance use screening, assessment and diagnosis; 24/7 mobile crisis response and crisis stabilization; and case management and peer support services.
Certified community behavioral health clinics have dramatically increased access to treatment and expanded the capacity of states to address the overdose crisis, according to Sweetser.
“Sweetser successfully launched a clinic in Brunswick serving the midcoast region, and just last year were given additional funds to expand that program,” said Jayne Van Bramer, the nonprofit’s president and CEO. “ The goal is to have a [center] in every county.”
In an “On the Record” interview with Mainebiz last September, she talked about what has motivated her to dedicate her career to mental health services.
“I love helping people even from a very young age,” she said. “I knew early on this is what I wanted to do with my life. There is nothing else I’d rather be doing. I go to bed every night, knowing we’re collectively making a real difference in the lives of children, adults and families throughout our state. I’m so very proud to be part of the Sweetser story."
More information
The new center offers special walk-in hours Mondays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., allowing same-day access for treatment assessment. Otherwise, people are encouraged to call the PromiseLine at 800-434-3000 or send an email to info@sweetser to set up an appointment.
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