THAT ADAM BE PRESENT FOR SENTENCING. HE WASN’T IN COURT TODAY FOR THE VERDICT. A CENTER IN PORTLAND, FOR PEOPLE RECEIVING MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES COULD SOON SEE IT’S MODEL REPLICATED ACROSS THE STATE. GOVERNOR JANET MILLS’S RECENT BUDGET PROPOSAL INCLUDES FUNDING FOR ONE TO BE OPENED UP IN LEWISTON. JACOB MURPHY HAS MORE DETAILS ON HOW THESE CENTERS ARE RUN. THE NON-PROFIT SPURWINK WORKS IN COLLABORATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES TO KEEP THEIR LIVING ROOM CRISIS RECEIVING CENTER RUNNING… PUTTING EMPHASIS ON A LOW BARRIER OF ENTRY. THE FIRST THING YOU’LL NOTICE WHEN YOU WALK IN IS COUCHES AND ARMCHAIRS SET UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE LOBBY. SEVERAL PRIVATE MEETING SPACES OFFER SIMILAR SETUPS. MEGAN DUEST IS THE PROGRAM DIRECTOR FOR THE LIVING ROOM CRISIS CENTER. SHE SAYS THE SPACE IS SET UP THIS WAY FOR A PURPOSE. “SOMETIMES THERE’S A LOT OF STIGMA ASSOCIATED TO REACHING OUT FOR CARE. WE’VE BEEN VERY INTENTIONAL ABOUT WHAT OUR SPACE LOOKS LIKE, HOW WE OFFER SERVICES, HOW WE’RE INCLUDING PEOPLE IN OUR DECISION- MAKING.” THEY OFFER SERVICES, INCLUDING SAME-DAY BEHAVIOR HEALTH ASSESSMENTS, SUBSTANCE USE RECOVERY RESOURCES, PEER- SUPPORT SPECIALISTS, AND HAVE ON-SITE NURSES. PROVIDING AN ALTERNATIVE TO EMERGENCY ROOMS, LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND OTHER CRISIS RESPONDERS. “WE’VE STRUGGLED WITH THE CAPACITY WITH WHAT THE STATE HAS FOR BEHAVIOR HEALTH SERVICES RIGHT NOW, THERE’S A REALLY LONG WAITLIST.” BUTTED TO “IF WE CAN PROVIDE SOME SORT OF INTERIM SUPPORT OR CARE IN THE MOMENT THAT THAT IS SOMETIMES ENOUGH FOR PEOPLE.” THEY ALSO TRY TO KEEP THE CENTER AS LOW BARRIER AS POSSIBLE BY OPERATING 24/7 AND PROVIDING ASSISTANCE FOR PEOPLE WITHOUT INSURANCE. GOV. MILLS RECENTLY PROPOSED A SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET… WHICH INCLUDES FUNDING TO START A SIMILAR CENTER IN LEWISTON. IT WOULD GIVE ONE AND A HALF MILLION DOLLARS TO GET THE CENTER UP AND RUNNING. “WHAT HAS BEEN A GOAL OF THEIRS AND THE WORK THAT I’VE HAD TO DO IS REALLY BE INTENTIONAL ABOUT HOW WHAT WE’RE DOING IN PORTLAND CAN BE REPLICATED IN OTHER COUNTIES SUCH AS AROOSTOOK COUNTY OR WHERE THINGS HAVE BEEN HIGHLIGHTED, CREATING A NEW CENTER IN LEWISTON.” DUEST SAYS, THESE KINDS OF CENTERS ARE NEEDED NOW. “IT’S THE ONLY MODEL WHERE YOU CAN WALK IN SOMEWHERE AROUND THE CLOCK 24/7 AND MEET WITH SOMEBODY. SO THE PROBLEM MAY NOT BE SOLVED THAT DAY THE LARGER ISSUE MAY NOT BE ADDRESSED, BUT YOU’RE HAVING FACE-TO-FACE CONTACT WITH SOMEONE THAT CARES, IT’S MEANINGFUL, AND THEN WE’RE GOING TO SAY ‘COME BACK TOMORROW’.” THE NEW CENTER IS A PART OF THE GOVERNOR’S LARGER PLAN TO CREATE A NETWORK OF CRISIS CE
New mental health crisis center planned for Lewiston, Maine
Spurwink, which opened Maine’s first Crisis Receiving Center in 2022, has been awarded a grant to open the new facility
Updated: 8:50 AM EST Dec 12, 2025
Mental health is a significant issue in Maine, and a new crisis center will soon open in Lewiston to provide much-needed support and services.The Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has awarded a Crisis Receiving Center grant to Spurwink to establish and operate a Behavioral Health Crisis Receiving Center (CRC) in Androscoggin County. The new Crisis Receiving Center will be located at 1155 Lisbon Street in Lewiston and will offer around-the-clock access to short-term crisis stabilization, observation, assessment, and intervention for transition-age youth and adults experiencing behavioral health crises. The Center will provide a home-like environment designed to reduce stigma and trauma, offering an alternative to emergency room visits or law enforcement involvement for individuals in crisis.The video in the media player above is from a report in Feb. 2024 about the crisis center in Portland.It is anticipated the Center will open in late May or early June 2026.Gov. Janet Mills included funding for the project in her supplemental budget in early 2024.The budget provided $1.5 million to get the new center up and running.“We are honored to be selected by the State of Maine to bring this critical resource to Androscoggin County,” said Eric Meyer, president & CEO of Spurwink. “Our team is committed to delivering high-quality, person-centered care that meets people where they are, when they need it most. The new Crisis Receiving Center will help individuals and families in our community access timely support, avoid unnecessary hospitalization, and connect to ongoing services for recovery and wellness.”Spurwink launched Maine’s first Crisis Receiving Center in Portland in 2022. That center has served over 2,400 individuals, providing more than 25,000 hours of service and demonstrating measurable reductions in emergency department visits and law enforcement involvement for people in crisis. The Lewiston CRC will replicate this successful “Living Room” model, with modifications to meet the unique needs of Androscoggin County.Key features of the Lewiston Crisis Receiving Center include:24/7 access to crisis assessment, peer support, clinical care, and medication management.Eight private outpatient chairs for short-term observation and stabilization, including dedicated space for transition-age youth.Trauma-informed, culturally sensitive environment designed to promote safety, dignity, and recovery.Strong partnerships with local law enforcement, hospitals, housing agencies, and community organizations to ensure seamless referrals and warm handoffs.
LEWISTON, Maine —
Mental health is a significant issue in Maine, and a new crisis center will soon open in Lewiston to provide much-needed support and services.
The Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has awarded a Crisis Receiving Center grant to Spurwink to establish and operate a Behavioral Health Crisis Receiving Center (CRC) in Androscoggin County.
The new Crisis Receiving Center will be located at 1155 Lisbon Street in Lewiston and will offer around-the-clock access to short-term crisis stabilization, observation, assessment, and intervention for transition-age youth and adults experiencing behavioral health crises. The Center will provide a home-like environment designed to reduce stigma and trauma, offering an alternative to emergency room visits or law enforcement involvement for individuals in crisis.
The video in the media player above is from a report in Feb. 2024 about the crisis center in Portland.
It is anticipated the Center will open in late May or early June 2026.
Gov. Janet Mills included funding for the project in her supplemental budget in early 2024.
The budget provided $1.5 million to get the new center up and running.
“We are honored to be selected by the State of Maine to bring this critical resource to Androscoggin County,” said Eric Meyer, president & CEO of Spurwink. “Our team is committed to delivering high-quality, person-centered care that meets people where they are, when they need it most. The new Crisis Receiving Center will help individuals and families in our community access timely support, avoid unnecessary hospitalization, and connect to ongoing services for recovery and wellness.”
Spurwink launched Maine’s first Crisis Receiving Center in Portland in 2022. That center has served over 2,400 individuals, providing more than 25,000 hours of service and demonstrating measurable reductions in emergency department visits and law enforcement involvement for people in crisis. The Lewiston CRC will replicate this successful “Living Room” model, with modifications to meet the unique needs of Androscoggin County.
Key features of the Lewiston Crisis Receiving Center include:
- 24/7 access to crisis assessment, peer support, clinical care, and medication management.
- Eight private outpatient chairs for short-term observation and stabilization, including dedicated space for transition-age youth.
- Trauma-informed, culturally sensitive environment designed to promote safety, dignity, and recovery.
- Strong partnerships with local law enforcement, hospitals, housing agencies, and community organizations to ensure seamless referrals and warm handoffs.