Augusta mental health agency expands services to kids
February 21, 2014
A counseling program recently launched in two Augusta area clinics aims to help children ages 3-17 who are dealing with depression, anger management problems, low self-esteem, and other challenges gain skills that can help them before these problems worsen. “The goal is to prepare them so it doesn’t impact their adulthood,” said program clinician Alyssa Audie. A recent statewide survey shows that Maine’s middle and high school students are increasingly struggling with depression, and that the number of students who report having considered a suicide attempt has risen in the past two years. In 2013, Maine passed a law requiring that all school staff receive suicide prevention training. The state also won a federal grant to provide suicide prevention services for young people under the age of 24.