Society Notebook: Support for mental health evident at Signs of Hope

Maineans who have a strong opinion of the work of Maine Behavioral Healthcare showed their support in a big way at the Signs of Hope fundraiser on July 13 at Portland Country Club, which raised more than $138,000.

Corporate sponsors (The Boulos Company, Genoa Healthcare, Saco & Biddeford Savings, University of New England and Wex) contributed $2,500 each, skewing the figures for the average donation amount, which was $770 per person at the event.

“We are indebted to the host committee, who provided a great base of support,” said co-host Sheri Boulos, a longtime member of the development committee. “I will never take lightly that so many of you come out year after year to help our friends and family in the community find the hope they are looking for in the world of the deranged brain.”

Jessica Gil, who has a 19-year-old son with paranoid schizophrenia, spoke about how Maine Behavioral Healthcare’s team approach has changed the lives of the entire family.

“For seven years, my son struggled day and night tormented by this disease of the mind,” Gil said. “I thank you for giving hope to a family grieving the loss of a loved one who was still alive. … Now my boy has a renewed mind. He is taking his medications, keeping his appointments, exercising, reading, and being able to have conversations without his mind wandering off to a scary place.”

Lucy Tucker, who chairs the development committee, said, “A great thing about this event is that it’s an opportunity to talk freely about mental health.” Gesturing to the Gil family, she added: “Thank you for sharing your story, because you are changing lives just by doing that.”

“Mental health didn’t always get the attention it needed or deserved,” said Kelly Barton, president of Maine Behavioral Healthcare. “It is events like this that help us bring behavioral health care to the forefront and will allow us to extend our team-based model across our programs and services.”

Proceeds will go to the Maine Behavioral Healthcare Fund, which supports the organization’s areas of greatest need, including the team patient services that were so helpful to the Gil family. Last year, Maine Behavioral Healthcare’s Assertive Community Treatment team of social workers, psychiatric staff, case managers, nurses and vocational specialists supported 279 patients with schizophrenia or other serious and persistent mental health problems.

Amy Paradysz is a freelance writer and photographer from Scarborough. She can be contacted at [email protected]

” Previous

Next ”