AUGUSTA – THRIVE and Youth MOVE of Lewiston will join Maine’s seven family organizations and more than 20 other service providers and agencies from across the state to celebrate Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day, from 1 to 3 p.m. Tuesday, May 3, at the State House Hall of Flags.

In support of Awareness Day, THRIVE’s five-year System of Care Initiative, funded by Maine’s Children’s Behavioral Health Services and the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, is pleased to share its first-round evaluation results.

“The results show the positive effects of trauma-informed services on children and why they are needed by their caretakers as well, and by youth who may be on their own,” says THRIVE director, Arabella Perez.

THRIVE plans to expand its trauma-informed training and technical assistance to 150 child-serving mental health agencies and the juvenile justice system in Maine.

Valuable peer support has come to Marci Tierney through her participation in Youth MOVE Maine. Marci will be one of eight youth and family speakers at Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day, who will describe the people and resources that fuel their resiliency in the face of life’s many physical, emotional, behavioral and learning challenges.

“Before I joined Youth MOVE, I wasn’t involved with the community,” says Tierney. “Now I want to get involved more, and help others who need confidence to speak up for what they want in life. When I was younger I didn’t have a say in my services or supports. Since joining Youth MOVE, I’ve gained more confidence to speak up in these and other decisions. I’m not as stressed out as before. I’m making a fresh beginning.”