WE NEED REFORM FOR MAINE’S ADULT MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS.

Maine's Appendix E Private Non-Medical Institutions (PNMIs) are a critical part of the state's mental health care system. These programs support adults with severe mental illness through crisis, recovery, and ongoing care.

Over the last decade, the demand for residential mental health programs has grown sharply. The people being served have become increasingly complex, with mental health needs requiring more intensive attention, intervention, and support. The regulations governing these programs, however, have not kept pace, and the system is now overburdened as a result. This gap has made programs increasingly unsafe for both staff and clients, contributing to a rise in threats, assaults, and most recently, loss of life.

We need safer systems, stronger care, and better outcomes. It’s time for Maine to Reform 97.