Full Breakdown
Sweetser Breaks Ground on 24/7 Youth Mental Health Facility in Saco, Maine
6/27/2026, 11:00:45 AM
Groundbreaking of the Saco Youth Mental Health Center
On Thursday, Sweetser, a nonprofit behavioral health organization, held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new 24-hour treatment center in Saco, Maine. The facility is intended to serve children and young adults under 21 who are experiencing acute mental-health crises, providing continuous, intensive care.
Background: Maine’s Youth Behavioral Health Shortfall
Maine has long faced a shortage of in-state youth behavioral health resources. State officials estimate 60-70 minors travel out of state for treatment and another 100 youths remain on waiting lists. Emergency departments report children “languishing” without adequate psychiatric support, prompting calls for expanded capacity.
Facility Design, Capacity, and Funding
The Saco campus will house 16 beds staffed by psychiatrists, mental-health experts, and qualified nursing personnel. Sweetser President and CEO Jayne Van Bramer and Chief Communications Officer Justin Chenette are overseeing construction, funded by a $5 million state allocation secured by Governor Janet Mills and the Maine Legislature. The center is slated to open in spring 2027.
Projected Impact on Care Access
By offering round-the-clock treatment, the center aims to reduce out-of-state referrals and shorten emergency-room wait times. Officials anticipate that the facility will restore hope for families, avert crises, and reunite households disrupted by untreated mental-health conditions.
Official Statements & Responses
Sweetser leadership emphasized that the project prioritizes children facing overwhelming anxiety and trauma, and that its value will be measured in restored hope rather than square footage. Governor Janet Mills noted her late brother’s struggle with schizophrenia. State Senator Henry Ingwersen cited community concerns about strained emergency services. Legislative leaders described the $5 million investment as a permanent foundation for families navigating their hardest moments.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It is about children. It is about a young person experiencing overwhelming anxiety and trauma who needs a safe place to heal,” — Jayne Van Bramer, President and CEO, Sweetser
- “The true legacy of this project will not be measured in square feet. It will be measured in hope restored, crises averted and families reunited.” — Jayne Van Bramer, President and CEO, Sweetser
- “Together we are establishing a permanent foundation of support for families navigating their hardest moment,” — Justin Chenette, Chief Communications Officer, Sweetser
- “For years, our communities heard stories about the strain on the system, of children languishing in emergency rooms, not getting the support they need,” — Henry Ingwersen, State Senator, Maine
What’s Next: Timeline and Future Plans
Construction will proceed through 2026, with staffing and operational plans finalized by late 2026. The center is scheduled to admit its first patients in spring 2027, marking the first dedicated 24-hour youth behavioral health facility in the state.
