WESTBROOK (WGME) – Motorcyclists came together Saturday to ride their bikes and raise awareness about the critical need to strengthen behavioral health services in the state.
This includes treatment for mental health and substance abuse issues, life stressors, and more.
Saturday’s ride was sponsored by Maine Behavioral Healthcare, part of the MaineHealth system.
The passengers left Maine Health Franklin Hospital in Farmington around 10:30 a.m. and drove 295 miles to Spring Harbor Hospital in Westbrook.
MaineHealth says the event is designed to talk more people about this much-needed change.
“There are so many people in need of these critical services, and there are not enough services in Maine to serve all the individuals who need our services. “We need to respond and really raise awareness about it. Get out there, talk to legislators, talk to state officials, make sure they understand how important this is.” said Kelly Barton, Health’s president of behavioral services.
For context, the Department of Justice announced last month that it would sue the state of Maine for “restricting behavioral health services in the community.”
The lawsuit alleges the state violates the Americans with Disabilities Act, including by “unnecessarily segregating people with behavioral health disorders in hospitals and prisons.”
