On Sunday, April 30 at 4 p.m., the Midcoast Community Alliance will hold its first public event, “A Call to Action for Suicide Prevention,” in the gymnasium at the Bath Parks & Recreation Department (4 Sheridan Road, Bath). Hosted by Bath Police Chief Mike Field, the event focuses on public health issues facing Sagadahoc and Eastern Cumberland County and features a panel of speakers from NAMI Maine (National Alliance for Mental Illness). Light Refreshments will be provided by Solo Bistro, Run with Soup, and Mae’s Café.

Over the past five years, greater Sagadahoc County has lost more than 20 loved ones to suicide. Community members are struggling with addiction and its deadly effects. According to the 2015 Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey, 1 in 5 of high school students in Sagadahoc County have considered suicide in the past year. Only 49 percent of students reported feeling like they matter to people in their community.

In July 2016 the Bath Youth Meetinghouse & Skatepark organized a meeting with the Bath Parks & Recreation Department, Bath Area Family YMCA, Morse High School guidance department and NAMI Maine to discuss youth suicide in the greater Bath/Brunswick area. Since then, additional members from RSU 1, MSAD 75, the Bath Police Department, Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Department, Mid Coast Hospital, United Way of Mid Coast Maine, Sweetser and more have joined the effort. The group also includes suicide survivors, faith organizations, community members and high school students. In total, the Midcoast Community Alliance is comprised of over 25 organizations and nearly 50 members.

Jamie Dorr, volunteer for the Bath Youth Meetinghouse & Skatepark and lead organizer of the Midcoast Community Alliance, says the community response has been very positive. “This is something that affects all of us and will take all of us working together to find solutions. Our community leaders acted quickly to get involved and have provided strong support in our mission,” Dorr said.

The Midcoast Community Alliance is dedicated to a vision of a suicide free community. Its mission is to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and addiction to encourage people to seek help. The alliance meets at 1pm on the last Tuesday of every month at the Bath Parks & Recreation Department, to discuss the complex issues that lead people to consider suicide. Members recognize that youth suicide cannot be addressed without also examining adult suicide and that addiction, among other things, is oftentimes closely related.

The Midcoast Community Alliance believes that by working together the community can make a positive difference. They invite all residents of Sagadahoc County, Harpswell, Brunswick, and Wiscasset to join the conversation.

“RSU 1 is very supportive and grateful for the work the Midcoast Community Alliance is doing for our youth and communities,” said Patrick Manuel, RSU 1 Superintendent of Schools. “It is wonderful to have such a committed group that is focused on promoting mental health awareness.”