Mental health forum brings positive discussion to Lewiston

PHOTO: Participants in the Dec. 8 Lewiston mental health forum sponsored by the Lewiston Youth Advocacy Council. (Submitted photo)

LEWISTON – Lewiston community members talked, as well as listened, at the Dec. 8 Be Kind To Your Mind Community Conversation About Mental Health Awareness held at Connors Elementary.
The theme repeatedly stressed was that mental health is health — just like a cold, broken leg, or another physical condition.
Mayor Carl L. Sheline praised the Lewiston Youth Advisory Council, which hosted the event, for being in tune with the community’s needs.
City Council liaison to the youth council, Linda Scott, also praised LYAC for helping people feel comfortable opening up and sharing.
“Mental health is a topic we shouldn’t shy away from,” Sheline said. “By courageously talking about it, we can start to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and, even better, focus on getting the help and resources to those who need it the most within our community. I am incredibly proud of our Lewiston youth for taking the initiative to have this conversation. They are in touch with our community needs, and we should follow their example by bravely engaging in discussions like this with our families, friends, and neighbors. I am inspired by their advocacy work, as it demonstrates the impact that can occur when communication is at the forefront.”

Sheline also led a moment of silence in honor of former youth council member Omar Osman, a first-year student at Bowdoin College, who died Dec. 3 from a severe allergic reaction.
The Dec. 8 event featured a panel of professionals who fielded audience questions. The panel included Colin O’Neill, Tri-County Mental Health Services chief clinical 0fficer; Amran Osman, Generational Noor executive director and founder; Megan Parks, licensed social worker/substance use counselor; Lisa Escobar, Lewiston Public Schools substance use coordinator; Lewiston Police Det. Joe Philippon.
Topic included what to do if parents or guardians are struggling with mental health, what to do if your feelings are being dismissed, the importance of validating people’s feelings, understanding emotional triggers, knowing you aren’t crazy if you’re struggling, root causes, destigmatizing mental health challenges through education, validating feelings and more. The panel also discussed ways to increase resources and funding.
Mental health reflective artwork from Generational Noor and Sadrii Mohamed was on display, and mental health resources were also available. Participants also expressed how they felt on a post-it, both upon arrival and after the event. Arrival post-its included “feel like giving up” and “overwhelmed.” Departing post-its were encouraging and included comments like, “there’s hope because people are listening” and “clarity and hope in our youth.”
For information visit lewistonmaine.gov/lyac.

Amran Osman, Generational Noor executive director and founder, and Lewiston Police Det. Joe Philippon at the LYAC mental health forum. (Submitted photo)