SACO (WGME) – Work is underway on a youth mental health treatment facility in Saco after a groundbreaking Thursday morning.
Sweetser, a mental healthcare provider, is working to open a 24/7 intensive care facility for those under 21.
Speaking at the groundbreaking Thursday, Governor Janet Mills acknowledged criticisms of these facilities.
Some say they’re too restrictive for struggling youths.
But Mills took a moment to recall her own late brother’s struggle with mental health.
“In his teenage years, I’ll never forget my parents and us trying to figure out ‘Hey, what’s wrong with David? What’s wrong with David? What can we do?’ Because he just wouldn’t behave,” Mills said. “But with some help with Sweetser and some other people, he did get through those teenage years and became who he is, who he was, a productive member of society, who was constantly battling mental health issues. But who was a member of our community.”
The new Saco facility will be equipped to house 16 people at a time.
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Right now, more than 100 Maine youth are on waiting lists to receive care.