Healthy Lives

Our entire community benefits when we connect those in need with mental health or substance use treatment, resources, and services that help them begin and stay on their recovery journey.

Now more than ever, we need to come together to strengthen mental health and substance use treatment, resources, and services for ourselves, our families, and our neighbors. United Way mobilizes nonprofits, government, businesses, and funders to support efforts that promote mental health, prevent substance misuse, and provide treatments and supports to foster recovery while ensuring equitable access and better outcomes.

What We Are Facing

100
People in Southern Maine died of a drug overdose in 2022
%
of High school students
in Southern Maine report signs of depression
10000
Emergency room visits in Southern Maine in 2022 for suicidal ideation and attempts

What UWSM is doing

1000
Callers referred to mental health and addiction resources in Southern Maine by 211
100
Community members trained in Mental Health First Aid
100
Community Members trained in understanding and treating trauma
100
Teens received high-quality mental health services through United Way funded programs
Funded Partners
From school-based health clinics to peer support programs to substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery solutions, United Way and our partners are helping people in Southern Maine live longer – better.
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Volunteer Mobilization
We co-develop opportunities for volunteers to learn how to respond to the signs of mental illness and substance use with national evidence-based Mental Health First Aid trainings in partnership with the Maine chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
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Critical Needs
UWSM provides funding and staff support to ensure individuals and families can easily access mental health services and substance use treatment, resources, and services through 211 Maine.
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Advocacy
We work with policy makers to break down barriers to the systems needed to promote better mental health and substance use treatments and ensure our neighbors have timely access to effective mental health services and substance use treatment.
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Join the Effort

Your contribution to United Way is an investment in ensuring people have access to effective mental health services and substance use treatment so more people live longer, better lives.

Volunteer Leadership

UWSM’s Healthy Lives work is driven by a dedicated and diverse team of volunteers that represent community voices across Southern Maine.