Skip to main content

Stay Connected

Stay connected to YPSSN by signing-up for our email newsletter about groups, events, and more.

Sign-up Now


Contact Us

By Phone: 207-396-7052

By Email: YPSSN@mainehealth.org

By Mail:
YPSSN
165 Lancaster Street
Portland, Maine 04101

Find us on Facebook: Maine Youth Peer Support Network

Youth Peer Support Statewide Network

Make a Referral

Make a referral using our online form or by downloading a referral form.

Download Referral Form Online Referral Form

What is the Youth Peer Support Statewide Network?

The Youth Peer Support Statewide Network (YPSSN) is a new, growing resource open to any young adult in Maine. The YPSSN program is sponsored by Maine Behavioral Healthcare (MBH) and is open to any eligible young person in Maine, not just MBH patients.

A black and white drawing of a sunflower with the words "Youth Peer Support Statewide Network" underneathYPSSN staff have all self-identified with the experience of mental health and/or substance use challenges and are specially trained in intentional peer support. This is not a clinical or treatment program. Program staff and participants support each other and build connections that help them better navigate the journey to a self-defined, meaningful life.

Both people in the 1-1 relationship work to respect each other and communicate honestly and clearly. The YPSSN supports self-determination, compassion, respect and transparency in all its activities through:

  • 1-1 youth peer support (online and in-person)
  • Drop-in hours (online and in-person)
  • Support groups (online and in-person)
  • Outdoor activities
  • Advocacy opportunities
  • Youth advisory board 

Download the YPSSN informational flyer

Youth Advisory Board

We're looking for community members ages 14 through 26 to join our Youth Advisory Board.

Join the Advisory Board

Groups & Events

Learn more about our special events and regular peer support meetings.

Employment

We are currently seeking peer support staff for full and part-time positions across the state of Maine.

View Job Opportunities

New peer center opens in Portland!

Our new peer center offers groups, activities and drop-in space at 165 Lancaster Street in Portland.

Who is eligible for the program?

Maine residents between the ages of 14 and 26 with a personal history of mental health and/or substance use challenges are eligible to participate. The program is free and no insurance is required or billed. For more information, email us at YPSSN@mainehealth.org or call 207-396-7052.

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore Youth Peer Support Careers

Join the YPSSN Youth Advisory Board

  • As the YPSSN community grows and develops, we will look to the young people involved to drive the values, priorities, and services. To this end, we are recruiting for youth advisory board members who will attend meetings (currently online) and provide input and feedback on the development of the network.
  • Any young person in Maine between the ages of 14 and 26 with a personal history of mental health and/or substance use challenges is eligible to participate. For more information, please review our flyer and contact us at YPSSN@mainehealth.org. Participation will be compensated.

Make a YPPSN Program Referral

Check us out on Facebook


Program staff will be based in Portland, Lewiston, Bangor and Penobscot, Piscataquis, and Aroostook counties. We are working to expand services to additional areas and accept program referrals from anywhere in Maine. The base locations on the map below indicate where staff will be located. For the county-level positions, participants may reside anywhere in the county. Satellite locations are towns where we expect to have drop-in space available.

 


We are currently seeking peer support staff for full and part-time positions across the state of Maine.

View our flyer

Apply Now