On Sunday, Sept. 11, over 60 people gathered to talk openly about mental illness, substance abuse and suicide at the old town hall, Boothbay Railway Village. This powerful event was brought to the community by a group of local church leaders and health/social service professionals who came together over the summer under the leadership of Sarah Foulger from the Boothbay Harbor Congregational Church. They were compelled to take some specific action after a significant number of losses by suicide in the last 18 months in the area. The group believed awareness needed to be raised around the prevalence of mental illness and substance abuse in our community. They look to reduce stigma and encourage individuals and families to seek help.

The 3 Stories of Hope and Resiliency event was the first ever National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Speakers Bureau held in Lincoln County. The speakers bureau program consists of a panel of speakers from around Maine who are survivors of suicide loss, attempt survivors, or individuals living with a mental illness and/or those family members who care about them. They believe that by sharing their own lived experience, they can breakdown the stigma surrounding mental illness and suicide, send a message of hope and resiliency and show living proof that mental wellness in not only possible but thriving.

In addition to the panel of lived experience guest speakers; there were booths of information that represented local resources from Sweetser Crisis, Maine Behavioral Health, The Family Care Center in Boothbay Harbor and NAMI Maine. There were opportunities to ask questions of the panel and for the audience to participate by sharing their own stories and ideas about what is needed in the community in terms of resources and solutions. The event’s organizing group has worked with NAMI Maine to co-host two additionally training opportunities in the Boothbay Region in the month of November as follow up to the Speakers Bureau. The trainings are open to anyone who is looking to learn more- no prior professional experience is necessary.

• ·Adult Mental Health First Aid Training: Nov. 14, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., The Family Care Center, 19 St. Andrews Lane, Boothbay Harbor. Register online at www.namimaine.org/event/MHFA-BBH111416
• ·Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Training: Nov. 19, 8 a.m.-3 p.m., Rotary Club of Boothbay Harbor, 66 Montgomery Road, Boothbay Harbor. Register online at www.namimaine.org/event/boothbayharborgk

A local Facebook page has also been created called Beacons of Hope in the Boothbay Region where one can find informative articles, resources, messages of hope and a calendar of community events. The planning group will continue to meet and look to build a coalition of community members to focus on mental health and substance abuse issues. The next meeting will be Wednesday, Oct. 19^, 8-9 a.m. at the Boothbay Congregational Church in Boothbay Harbor.

If you have questions about the group or about any of the trainings opportunities you can contact Anni Pat McKenney at LincolnHealth 633-1542 or Sarah Foulger at the Congregational Church at 633-4757.