Jennifer Thompson is the Executive Director at NAMI Maine.

Joanna Free is the (grateful) author of BUTTKICKERS: Twenty Ways to Leave Tobacco and a (proud) writer for Journey Magazine. In addition to writing and enjoying community engagement with Team Journey, Joanna Free is the author of BUTTKICKERS: Twenty Ways to Leave Tobacco (2021), her fourth book. This little red book with a fresh approach to smobriety is available for free through your local library thanks to WorldCat and generous donations. You can also find it through your favorite indie bookstore, and on Amazon and Audible. Connect with Joanna on Facebook and on LinkedIn. And, if you purchase BUTTKICKERS from Sherman's Maine Coast Book Shops or from any other wonderful indie bookstore, make a post about it and tag Joanna and the bookstore for a free BUTTKICKER sticker, while supplies last! https://www.shermans.com/book/9780984023905

Josh Warren is the Statewide Recovery Coach Coordinator for the Maine Recovery Hub at the Portland Recovery Community Center. Josh's recovery led him to earn a degree in Mental Health and Human Services with a focus on substance abuse counseling and rehabilitation.

Kim Wilson is a freelance writer and editor who lives in Bath. She enjoys volunteering, renovating her World War I-era home and exploring the Midcoast.

Lauren McCormack is the Executive Director of The Good Samaritan Network The Good Samaritan Network (GSN) is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering recovery-friendly communities. At the heart of their mission is the revolutionary Recovery Friendly Congregation program.

Linda Halleran is the Community Engagement Manager for Town & Country Federal Credit Union and coordinates the credit union’s community involvement efforts across Southern Maine.

Lisa Twombly is a Holistic Health Practitioner who is creating an online program and community, called Better Off Sober Sisterhood, for women seeking a healthy sober life.

Lori Manson is the Problem Gambling Services Coordinator at AdCare Problem Gambling Services in Augusta, and is an active member of the Maine Council on Problem Gambling, the Northeast Consortium on Problem Gambling, and the National Council on Problem Gambling.

Maine Resilience Building Network The Maine Resilience Building Network (MRBN) is a statewide public health 501(c)(3) organization with a network reaching more than 2,400 individuals and organizations across Maine. MRBN is at the forefront of thought leadership and action to promote the science of the positive and champion an equitable preventative approach, ensuring a healthy, connected, thriving future for all. Recognized as a leader, convener, catalyst, and critical resource for organizations, businesses, communities, education leaders, and staff, MRBN creates systems change and policy to improve the health and well-being of Maine's children and families. MRBN hosts statewide network meetings, offers professional development and training programs, and contributes to state and local policy development. Go to maineresilience.org for more information or visit us on Facebook @ facebook.com/maineresilience

Mental health is part of overall health. Just like it’s important to be informed about your health, it’s equally important to be informed about your mental health. Mental Health Literacy aims to take the best available scientific evidence on mental health and make it easy to understand and accessible for everyone. The team is committed to creating and delivering the highest quality mental health literacy information, research, education, and resources. The materials are provided in a variety of mediums that include videos, animations, brochures, e-books, face-to-face training programs, and online training programs. They are specifically designed to meet the needs of children, youth, young adults, families, educators, community agencies, and health care providers. Mental Health Literacy has permitted Journey Magazine to publish articles from their website (MentalHealthLiteracy.org) for this column. A special thank you to their team for allowing us to amplify their work! Please visit their website - recoveryanswers.org to learn more

NAMI Maine provides advocacy, education, and support so that all individuals, families, and communities affected by mental illness can live fulfilling lives. NAMI Maine envisions a world where all people affected by mental illness live healthy, fulfilling lives supported by a community that cares about mental health. “Hope devours fear and uncertainty.” We see a future where people are not defined by their mental illness. We are all worthy of happiness and peace of mind. NAMI's values are: Hope, Inclusion, Empowerment, Compassion, and Fairness.

Paula Kersch, owner and head herbalist at Botanically Curious is dedicated to connecting with the local community through collaboration and community service. Attend a class taught by Paula or one of the many wonderful community partners who bring their expertise to the table!

Peter Wohl is the creator of Path of the Wild Heart, an eco-spirituality-based addiction recovery program. Through this program, he introduces the power of nature into the recovery process, helping to heal wounded spirits and restore lives. Learn more about eco-spirituality on his website - https://wildmindwildheart.com/

Pinetree Institute is a 501(c)3 nonprofit based in Eliot, ME, and Portsmouth, NH facilitating several approaches to solving one key issue: the long-term effects of trauma on individuals, and the communities in which they live. Childhood trauma, in particular, can have lasting physical, mental, and behavioral health consequences on the adults we become. Pinetree offers community-based, trauma-responsive solutions through the three avenues of education, engagement, and collaboration. They offer access to the latest research, and information about Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs), and trauma-informed solutions. For more information visit www.pinetreeinstitute.org

PRCC’s mission is to provide support, education, resources, and advocacy for people recovering from and affected by addiction, and to spread the message of hope throughout the state of Maine and beyond. PRCC’s vision is that every person affected by addiction in Maine will have direct access to a local recovery community center that provides support, education, and individual resources to enhance their ability to heal, strengthen and grow in their recovery pathway, throughout all stages of their journey. PRCC provides a place for the recovery community to grow and thrive at 102 Bishop Street in Portland. The center offers space for meetings and activities devoted to recovery from substance use disorder. PRCC is operated by staff and volunteers who are passionate about recovery, and every activity is created by and for people in recovery. PRCC offers peer support to individuals who use a variety of recovery pathways, and we honor each person’s unique recovery journey. We know from experience that successful recovery from substance use disorder requires support from others. Our center welcomes all who are taking steps to recover. PRCC works statewide to support the development of new recovery community centers so that every community in Maine has access to its own local center. By providing training, resources, and technical support to new and developing centers, PRCC’s Recovery Hub sustains a network of mutual support among the centers that develops leadership and empowers communities.

Enhancing Recovery Through Science The Recovery Research Institute (RRI) is a leading nonprofit research institute of Massachusetts General Hospital, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School, dedicated to the advancement of addiction treatment and recovery. Founded in 2012 by Dr. John F. Kelly, RRI is a team of innovative scientists working through research, education and outreach to enhance recovery through science, conducting and disseminating the most up-to-date research findings for individuals, families, healthcare professionals, and policymakers alike. Addiction is a public health crisis, with staggering rates of mortality, disease, and disability. RRI knows that stable and long-term recovery from alcohol and other drug use disorders is possible and that rates of recovery can continue to be improved through focused scientific investigation and a commitment to public education. RRI has given us permission to publish articles from their website (recoveryanswers.org) for this column. A special thank you to John Kelly and his team for allowing us to amplify their work! Please visit their website - recoveryanswers.org to learn more