TW: Substance use; suicide

In this special episode, we talk with Nio DiPietrantonio, founder of Serving Up Support Maine, about mental health and substance use struggles in the hospitality industry. Nio shares her personal journey and what led her to launch this grassroots support initiative that is fostering community care among hospitality workers in Maine.

Interview Recorded: June 6, 2025

🎧 Tune in to hear from Nio!

LINKS/RESOURCES

Home - Culinary Hospitality Outreach and Wellness

The Autism Society of Maine - individuals with Autism, their families, members of the community, and the professionals who work with them

Welcome - Maine Parent Federation

VA Maine Health Care | Veterans Affairs

Maine Invites You - Maine Tourism Association

MyFriendBen - Finding benefits and tax credits just got easier

Kitchen Confidential- Anthony Bourdain

SOURCES/CITATIONS

Maine Office of Tourism – 2023 Annual Report
Maine Office of Tourism 2023 Annual Report
https://motpartners.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/MOT-2023-Annual-Report_FINAL.pdf
→ Provides data on statewide visitation, spending, employment, wages, and visitor satisfaction

Maine Office of Tourism – Greater Portland & Casco Bay Region 2023 Profile
2023 Regional Tourism Impact Report – Greater Portland & Casco Bay
https://motpartners.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2023-Portland-Region.pdf
Details regional data: visitor spending, job support, and income impact in the Portland metro area

Visit Portland – Economic Impact Summary
Tourism’s Economic Impact on Greater Portland (2024 Overview)
https://www.visitportland.com/about-us/tourism-impact/
→ Breaks down broader tourism data for the Portland region, including trip counts, employment, and earnings

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Occupational Estimates
https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/report_1959/ShortReport-1959.html
→ Ranks food service occupations highest for illicit drug use and third-highest for heavy alcohol use

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – Occupational Outlook & Mental Health Risks
Job Flexibility and Mental Health Challenges in Food Service Jobs
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/food-preparation-and-serving/home.htm
→ General reference for job outlook and challenges in the food preparation and serving industry

Disclaimer: The Consumer Council System of Maine (CCSM) is an independent public instrumentality and provides a nonpartisan or nonbiased perspective on any topic we speak on. Our goal is to represent the voice of people with lived experience with mental health challenges in public policy and legislative matters.

TW: substance use; psychiatric hospitalization

In the continued celebration of Pride Month, we bring you a powerful and heartfelt episode highlighting the voices of LGBTQIA+ mental health peers sharing their lived experience.

Our guests share personal stories of resilience and discovery of identity. They speak candidly about the intersection of queerness and mental health, including the barriers they’ve faced and the unity they've found through community support.

This episode is a celebration of authenticity and the healing power of shared experience. It's also a call to action: to listen, support, and stand in solidarity with LGBTQIA+ Mainers every day not just in June.

Benji Interview Recorded: March 15, 2025

Serena Interview Recorded: April 11, 2025

Tranifer Interview Recorded: May 23, 2025

🎧 Tune in to hear from these peers

LINKS

Maine Community Health Centers

Everywhere is Queer

The Weird Fair

Art by Tranifer Lovely

Disclaimer: The Consumer Council System of Maine (CCSM) is an independent public instrumentality and provides a nonpartisan or nonbiased perspective on any topic we speak on. Our goal is to represent the voice of people with lived experience with mental health challenges in public policy and legislative matters.

We are so excited to kick off Pride Month with an episode from a very important mental health community leader, Karin Heim!

Karin shares her experiences as a queer mental health provider. She also discusses the vital work being done to support the mental health and well-being of LGBTQ+ youth across the state.

Whether you're a parent, educator, mental health advocate, or community member, this conversation offers powerful takeaways on how we can all play a role in supporting LGBTQ+ youth and beyond.

Interview Recorded: May 15, 2025

🎧 Tune in to hear how we can break down barriers and build more equitable supports for all.

LINKS

OUT Maine

Equality Maine Maine

TransNet

NAMI Maine

Maine Women’s Lobby

Mental Health First Aid

Trevor Project

Disclaimer: The Consumer Council System of Maine (CCSM) is an independent public instrumentality and provides a nonpartisan or nonbiased perspective on any topic we speak on. Our goal is to represent the voice of people with lived experience with mental health challenges in public policy and legislative matters.