Former PIER Patient, Parent to Share Stories of Hope at MaineHealth Behavioral Health Benefit

PORTLAND, Maine - A former patient who now works at MaineHealth Behavioral Health and a father whose son recently completed treatment through the Portland Identification and Early Referral (PIER) program will share their powerful stories of recovery and hope during MaineHealth Behavioral Health's annual Signs of Hope benefit on Wednesday, July 15, from 5:30 - 8 pm at the Portland Country Club in Falmouth.

An internationally recognized early psychosis intervention program, PIER helps identify and treat young people experiencing the earliest signs of psychosis. Working with schools, primary care providers, families and community organizations, PIER provides coordinated psychiatric care, psychotherapy, family support and case management to improve outcomes, reduce hospitalizations, and help young people remain connected to school, work and their communities.

Featured speakers will offer firsthand perspectives on the life-changing impact of early intervention.

Toia Francis, a former PIER patient, is now a registered nurse at MaineHealth Behavioral Health at Spring Harbor. After receiving treatment through the program, Francis returned to pursue a nursing career, offering a powerful example of recovery, resilience and the value of timely intervention.

Joining Francis is Josh Olins, whose son recently completed treatment through PIER. As a parent, Olins will share his family's experience navigating early psychosis and how the program's comprehensive, family-centered approach provided education, support and hope during a challenging time.

"When families have the knowledge and support they need, they become essential partners in recovery," said Kelly Barton, President of MaineHealth Behavioral Health. "By reducing stigma and intervening early, PIER helps create the conditions for healing, hope and long-term recovery."

Alex Keuroghlian, MD, Chief of MaineHealth Behavioral Health and Chair of the Department of Psychiatry, praised PIER's team-based model that brings behavioral health clinicians, families and community partners together to intervene early, helping young people achieve better long-term health, educational and vocational outcomes.

"This multifaceted model helps clients maintain stability in their daily lives while addressing symptoms early-often before these escalate to become more severe and disruptive," said Dr. Keuroghlian.

The annual Signs of Hope benefit raises critical funds to support MaineHealth Behavioral Health's comprehensive network of mental health and substance use disorder services. This year's event seeks to raise $190,000 in unrestricted support to help expand access to compassionate, evidence-based behavioral health services across the MaineHealth system, ensuring more individuals and families can receive care when and where they need it.

Longtime supporter and MaineHealth Behavioral Health Philanthropy Committee member Sheri Boulos of Falmouth will serve as co-host. Registration is required, with a suggested donation of $150 per guest. The evening will feature hors d'oeuvres, beverages and opportunities to learn more about MaineHealth Behavioral Health's work.

Community members who want to support behavioral health services and hear firsthand stories of recovery and resilience are encouraged to attend.

Visit mainehealth.org/bh-hope to learn more and register.

About MaineHealth
MaineHealth is a not-for-profit, integrated health system whose vision is, "Working together so our communities are the healthiest in America," and is committed to a mission of providing high-quality affordable care, educating tomorrow's caregivers and researching better ways to provide care. MaineHealth includes a Level 1 trauma medical center, eight additional licensed hospitals, comprehensive pediatric care services, an extensive behavioral health care network, diagnostic services as well as home health, hospice and senior care services. With more than 2,000 employed providers and approximately 23,000 care team members, MaineHealth provides preventive care, diagnosis and treatment to 1.1 million residents in Maine and New Hampshire. MaineHealth hospitals include MaineHealth Behavioral Health at Spring Harbor in Westbrook, MaineHealth Franklin Hospital in Farmington, MaineHealth Lincoln Hospital in Damariscotta, MaineHealth Maine Medical Center in Portland, Biddeford and Sanford, MaineHealth Memorial Hospital in North Conway, N.H., MaineHealth Mid Coast Hospital in Brunswick, MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital in Rockport, MaineHealth Stephens Hospital in Norway and MaineHealth Waldo Hospital in Belfast. MaineHealth also includes the MaineHealth Barbara Bush Children's, MaineHealth Behavioral Health in Westbrook, MaineHealth Home Health and Hospice in Saco, the MaineHealth Institute for Research in Scarborough, the MaineHealth Medical Group and MaineHealth NorDx in Scarborough. MaineHealth affiliates include MaineGeneral Health in Augusta and Waterville. It is also a significant stakeholder in the MaineHealth Accountable Care Organization in Portland and a joint venture partner in the New England Rehabilitation Hospital in Portland.