Lewiston’s Sweetser Opens Hope and Healing Center for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Support

New Mental Health Clinic Opens in Lewiston

Lewiston has a new resource for people facing mental health and substance abuse challenges. The non-profit organization Sweetser has opened a clinic called the “Hope and Healing Center.”

Sweetser’s President and CEO, Jayne Van Bramer, stated that every Maine resident deserves access to treatment and recovery. The center functions like a walk-in clinic for mental health services. Teams will be present to assist clients in finding the right treatment options.

The clinic includes space for case managers and peer support workers. Chief Growth Officer Joanne Grant explained that these workers help connect with clients in the community. Private rooms are available for individual meetings, and mobile crisis workers are on-site 24/7.

On the opposite side of the clinic, staff will provide outpatient treatment for mental health and substance use disorders, including medication options. Grant noted that patients can see nurse practitioners for their care.

The clinic also has plans for growth. Grant mentioned hopes to hire more therapists and nurse practitioners to serve additional clients. Sweetser served nearly 2,000 people last year in Androscoggin County and aims to help 700 more with this new facility, reducing the waiting list.

“This will expand opportunities for people to receive evidence-based, integrated, and high-quality treatment,” Van Bramer said. The Hope and Healing Center is the only certified community behavioral health clinic in Androscoggin County.

The opening of the clinic is timely, as the community continues to heal from last year’s mass shootings. Just-In-Time Recreation Owner Justin Juray expressed support for the clinic’s location, saying it’s great to have such a resource nearby.

The clinic will offer walk-in hours every Monday and Wednesday starting in December.