Working Group to Prioritize Wellness and Mental Health Resources for Heritage Industries

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Background

The 132nd Legislature established a Working Group to Prioritize Wellness and Mental Health Resources for Heritage Industries.

Duties & Deliverables

• Review existing mental health, primary care and wellness resources available to individuals in the State's heritage industries, including agriculture, fishing, forestry and logging;
  
• Consider the specific challenges for individuals with serious brain disorders and traumatic brain injuries working in heritage industries;
  
• Identify gaps in the provision of services and barriers to accessing existing resources;
  
• Identify issues facing migrant workers;
  
• Examine successful models from other states and jurisdictions;
  
• Develop recommendations for establishing sustainable funding mechanisms and service delivery models; and
  
• Explore opportunities for public education to reduce stigma around mental health issues and increase awareness of mental health services.

The resolve requires the working group to submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the joint standing committees of the Legislature having jurisdiction over agriculture, conservation and forestry matters, marine resources matters and health and human services matters by December 1, 2026 and authorizes the joint standing committees to each submit legislation to the 133rd Legislature in 2027.

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Working Group Outreach Survey Results

The working group recognized that not everyone could attend public meetings or felt comfortable sharing feedback in a public setting. To ensure more people could participate, the group developed a confidential survey to provide a private way for current and former workers in Maine's agriculture, fisheries, and forestry sectors to share their experiences and needs. Family members were also welcome to complete the survey on someone's behalf. The survey was open for four weeks in August 2026 and received 279 responses.

View Survey Results

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Working Group Members

Member	Organization
Emily Horton	Director of Policy & Community Engagement, Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
Meredith Mendelson	Deputy Commissioner, Department of Marine Resources
Brie Masselli	Associate Director of Mental Health, Department of Health and Human Services
Leslie Forstadt	University of Maine Cooperative Extension
Nichole Sargent	Southpaw Packing
Monique Coombs	Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association
Dana Doran	Executive Director, Professional Logging Contractors of Maine
Jennifer Thompson	Executive Director, NAMI Maine
Bella Russo	Maine Agribility
Becca Boulas	Executive Director, Maine Public Health Association
Shelia Tibodeau	AVP, Wellbeing for Me/Healthy EAP, Northern Light Health
Tom Gordon	Support Staff, Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry

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Meeting Dates, Materials and Links

No meetings are currently scheduled.

Meeting Archive