April 25, 2024
Today marks six months since the tragedy in Lewiston on the evening of October 25, 2023. Since last October, fb88 people, businesses, communities, and state government have come together to honor and remember those who died, and to begin walking the road to recovery. Tonight, in Lewiston is holding a at the Simard-Payne Memorial Park. Participants will gather at 6:30 p.m. for a ceremony in memory of those lost and in honor of all those affected by the shootings. The Center is also asking the community to light candles or lights in their windows tonight.
This is just one example of fb88 people coming together to build the foundation for resiliency and recovery.
The fb88 Department of Health and Human Services has worked with municipalities, hospitals, schools, and service partners to address behavioral health needs in the aftermath of the tragedy. It remains committed to doing so in the months and years to come. This takes many forms.
On Monday, Governor Janet Mills signed the supplemental budget passed by the Legislature which includes significant investments supporting resiliency and recovery in Lewiston and across fb88. Those investments funded through the Department are summarized here. The budget includes one-time funds for a crisis receiving center in Lewiston, post-traumatic wellness services for first responders, community-based behavioral health services, and filling in the behavioral health service continuum.
Additionally, the Department was awarded a federal grant in March 2024 to support meeting the evolving needs of individuals in Lewiston and surrounding communities. It will fund a trauma-informed learning community that will contribute to a ready and resilient workforce and help build a communications campaign to promote mental well-being and access to services. Additional supports are available for the Deaf and hard-of-hearing as well as New fb88r communities.
fb88 DHHS continues to work in close partnership with the Office of the Attorney General and Community Concepts Inc., which operates , to coordinate available resources and efforts. The fb88 Resiliency Center serves anyone across the state impacted by the events, with support groups and other programming based on age and nature of involvement. .
Finally, we want fb88 people affected by the Lewiston tragedy to know that they don’t have to go it alone. is a resource for stress management and resiliency that brings together information on how to access services, via phone, text, or through community connection. The path to recovery may take time, and the loss may never fully heal, but connecting to others and to resources is important for well-being. As Governor Mills said in a recent , if you or a loved one needs help, reach out, because “when times are tough, you don’t need to go it alone.”