As the new school year begins in Maine, mental health is front of mind for many parents.Maine’s Total Coverage decided to speak with groups of Maine teenagers who wanted to share what they feel as they prepare to return to the classroom.Maine’s Total Coverage also spoke with mental health experts to learn about resources for teens and how parents can initiate conversations about mental health with their children.”A lot of students don’t know that their teachers, peers and parents have that help, and I think that they just have to know that they will definitely help you,” said Freeport High School student Ahna Ventimiglia. “Teachers want to help and adults want to help you, they just have to know that you need the help.””I feel like the biggest (misconception) is that it’s obvious if someone’s struggling. I feel like that’s the biggest misconception — it’s really not obvious,” said Nathan Kim, a fellow Freeport High School student. “Someone can be having a great day on the outside, but then they get home and they’re just not in it at all.”The Maine’s Total Coverage special program “Teen Voices: A Conversation About Mental Health” can be viewed in its entirety in the video player above. “Young people are really struggling,” said Jamie Dorr, founder of the Midcoast Youth Center.The 2025 Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey was conducted earlier this year, but the findings won’t be released until this fall. The most recent available data shows that almost 20% of Maine High School Students have thought about killing themselves. The data also shows almost half of Maine high school students say they have tried alcohol and almost a third have tried marijuana.Students in their own WordsOne group of teenagers that spoke with Maine’s Total Coverage represented the groups Active Minds at Greely High School in Cumberland and Mighty Minds at Freeport High School. The students are involved in peer outreach efforts, offering support to classmates who might be struggling.We shared our conversation with those students, Max Allen, Ahna Ventimiglia, Nathan Kim and Sam Palmlund, in several presentations throughout the special program.Immigrant Students in their own WordsMaine has a large immigrant community, representing about 4% of the total population in the state, and within that community, mental health is often difficult to discuss and find help for. Language barriers, cultural differences and competing priorities all stand in the way of access to or conversations with those who can help.Two teens from Lewiston’s Community Organizing Alliance, Ruth Panu and Fatuma Awil, spoke about the challenges and support. Their conversation with Maine’s Total Coverage was shared in two parts during our special.Dealing with LossThe high school football season in Maine is about to kick off, but the Sanford Spartans will be missing one member of the team when they take the field.Jony Hunter, who would have been a senior and captain of the team this season, died by suicide in May. The team is now placing a focus on mental health and providing support for each other. Members of the team opened up to Maine’s Total Coverage about how they are working to help each other, and everyone in their school.Supports for StudentsThere are many groups working to support young people in Maine and help improve their mental health. That includes Maine Youth Thriving, formerly known as the Maine Resilience Building Network. “We know that the importance of not just preventing harm but promoting the positive is what leads youth to feel like they can be successful and thrive well into adulthood,” said Executive Director Dr. Delvina Miremadi-Baldino.Sweetser is on the front lines of what they say is a mental health crisis facing Maine young people.”I would say in the 20 years that I’ve been doing this work, I have not seen such a great need. I think it is the largest it has been,” said Kristie Worster, Chief Program Officer at Sweetser.Maine’s Total Coverage learned that loneliness and isolation is hitting one group especially hard: young girls.A new public service announcement series went public in May, amplifying the voices of Maine teenagers and their struggles with mental health. The filmmaker, Suzi Pond, lives in Freeport up the road from the Ferrara family, who lost their 14-year-old son, Theo, to suicide.Maine’s Total Coverage spoke with Pond about the project as well as Theo’s mother, Mia, and his friend, Phoebe Williamson, about why they say this is so important.How to get HelpIf you or a loved one is facing a potentially life-threatening situation or crisis, call 911 right away. If the situation is not life-threatening, you can call or text 988 any time of day or night to reach the statewide crisis hotline.You can also go to the mental health page of WMTW.com to find more resources and conversations.

PORTLAND, Maine —

As the new school year begins in Maine, mental health is front of mind for many parents.

Maine’s Total Coverage decided to speak with groups of Maine teenagers who wanted to share what they feel as they prepare to return to the classroom.

Maine’s Total Coverage also spoke with mental health experts to learn about resources for teens and how parents can initiate conversations about mental health with their children.

“A lot of students don’t know that their teachers, peers and parents have that help, and I think that they just have to know that they will definitely help you,” said Freeport High School student Ahna Ventimiglia. “Teachers want to help and adults want to help you, they just have to know that you need the help.”

“I feel like the biggest (misconception) is that it’s obvious if someone’s struggling. I feel like that’s the biggest misconception — it’s really not obvious,” said Nathan Kim, a fellow Freeport High School student. “Someone can be having a great day on the outside, but then they get home and they’re just not in it at all.”

The Maine’s Total Coverage special program “Teen Voices: A Conversation About Mental Health” can be viewed in its entirety in the video player above.

“Young people are really struggling,” said Jamie Dorr, founder of the Midcoast Youth Center.

The 2025 Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey was conducted earlier this year, but the findings won’t be released until this fall. The most recent available data shows that almost 20% of Maine High School Students have thought about killing themselves. The data also shows almost half of Maine high school students say they have tried alcohol and almost a third have tried marijuana.

Students in their own Words

One group of teenagers that spoke with Maine’s Total Coverage represented the groups Active Minds at Greely High School in Cumberland and Mighty Minds at Freeport High School. The students are involved in peer outreach efforts, offering support to classmates who might be struggling.

We shared our conversation with those students, Max Allen, Ahna Ventimiglia, Nathan Kim and Sam Palmlund, in several presentations throughout the special program.

Immigrant Students in their own Words

Maine has a large immigrant community, representing about 4% of the total population in the state, and within that community, mental health is often difficult to discuss and find help for. Language barriers, cultural differences and competing priorities all stand in the way of access to or conversations with those who can help.

Two teens from Lewiston’s Community Organizing Alliance, Ruth Panu and Fatuma Awil, spoke about the challenges and support. Their conversation with Maine’s Total Coverage was shared in two parts during our special.

Dealing with Loss

The high school football season in Maine is about to kick off, but the Sanford Spartans will be missing one member of the team when they take the field.

Jony Hunter, who would have been a senior and captain of the team this season, died by suicide in May. The team is now placing a focus on mental health and providing support for each other. Members of the team opened up to Maine’s Total Coverage about how they are working to help each other, and everyone in their school.

Supports for Students

There are many groups working to support young people in Maine and help improve their mental health. That includes Maine Youth Thriving, formerly known as the Maine Resilience Building Network.

“We know that the importance of not just preventing harm but promoting the positive is what leads youth to feel like they can be successful and thrive well into adulthood,” said Executive Director Dr. Delvina Miremadi-Baldino.

Sweetser is on the front lines of what they say is a mental health crisis facing Maine young people.

“I would say in the 20 years that I’ve been doing this work, I have not seen such a great need. I think it is the largest it has been,” said Kristie Worster, Chief Program Officer at Sweetser.

Maine’s Total Coverage learned that loneliness and isolation is hitting one group especially hard: young girls.

A new public service announcement series went public in May, amplifying the voices of Maine teenagers and their struggles with mental health. The filmmaker, Suzi Pond, lives in Freeport up the road from the Ferrara family, who lost their 14-year-old son, Theo, to suicide.

Maine’s Total Coverage spoke with Pond about the project as well as Theo’s mother, Mia, and his friend, Phoebe Williamson, about why they say this is so important.

How to get Help

If you or a loved one is facing a potentially life-threatening situation or crisis, call 911 right away. If the situation is not life-threatening, you can call or text 988 any time of day or night to reach the statewide crisis hotline.

You can also go to the mental health page of WMTW.com to find more resources and conversations.