Consumer Council System of Maine

03/23/2026

When we’re deep in the day-to-day work of advocacy, it’s easy to get caught up in the small details. But on Mondays, we like to zoom out.

The Big Picture for us has always been about more than just policy, it's about making sure every person in our community feels heard, valued, and empowered. Whether it’s a small win or a major systemic change, it’s all part of the larger puzzle we’re building together.

What’s one goal you’re keeping your eye on this week? Let’s encourage each other in the comments.

03/22/2026

It’s Sunday, and we’re keeping it simple.

How is everyone feeling today? Whether you’ve had a busy week or a quiet few days at home, we want to hear from you. Drop an emoji below to let us know how you're doing or share one thing that brought you peace this weekend.

We’re glad you’re here with us.

03/21/2026

Looking for a deep dive into Maine’s mental health history? This week’s Resource Spotlight is our very own blog series: Hopeful Horizons.

We’ve been exploring the complex legacy of our state’s mental health systems. If you haven’t caught up yet, now is the perfect time to read Part 1 on our website.

Stay tuned: Part 2 of the History of Institutionalization in Maine is coming very soon! We’ll be continuing the journey from the early 1800s toward the present day.
Read more here: maineccsm.org

03/20/2026

We finally made it to the first day of spring! 🌷

We know how those Maine winters can feel long, isolating, and sometimes like the thaw is never going to come. But as we reach the equinox today, it’s a great time for us to take a collective breath together.

Some seeds take a long time to break through the soil, but standing here today, we can see the progress we’ve made as a community. Whether it’s the policy work we’ve pushed for or the peer connections we’ve strengthened, things are moving forward.

Since we’re all in this together, we’d love to hear from you: What is one thing you’re looking forward to this season?

It could be a personal goal, a project you’re passionate about, or even just the first day you can sit outside without a heavy coat. Drop a comment and let’s celebrate the change in season as a community.

03/20/2026

"Rest is not a luxury, it is a human right."

It's Friday so we are leaning into the concept of Rest as Resistance, a movement championed by Tricia Hersey, founder of The Nap Ministry.
In a world that often demands constant productivity, choosing to pause is a radical act of self-care and systemic defiance.

Advocacy work is vital, but so is the person doing it. How are you reclaiming your time and energy today?

03/19/2026

We will be there TODAY! If you are in the Augusta area, come down and check out this great event 🙂

Tomorrow is the day! We can't wait to see you at the 2026 BIAA-ME Brain Injury Resource Fair on Thursday, March 19, 12-4 pm, at the Augusta Armory! This event is FREE to attend for survivors, family members, caregivers, professionals, and anyone interested in learning more about what's out there to support the Maine brain injury community. We strongly encourage pre-registration, but we will also have on-site registration forms available. You can pre-register online here: https://give.biausa.org/event/2026-maine-resource-fair/e749655

03/16/2026

UPDATE: Website is back up! 😀

Our website is currently experiencing some technical issues and is temporarily down. We are working on it and will update when we can. Thank you in advance and sorry for the inconvenience

03/16/2026

Big Picture Monday: Lived Experience as Expertise

When we look at the "Big Picture" of Maine’s mental health system, we often see a lot of data, budget numbers, and policy jargon. But the most important piece of that puzzle is found with you.

Lived Experience is a form of expertise. For a long time, systems were designed for us, but not by us. Decisions were often made in rooms where the people most affected by those decisions weren't invited to the table. This is how we end up with programs that might look good on paper but don't work for the people actually trying to navigate them.

Systemic change happens when peers are recognized as the true experts. Whether it’s testifying at the State House, serving on a hospital board, or working as a Peer Support Specialist, your voice is what humanizes the policy.

We are advocating for a Maine where "Nothing About Us, Without Us" isn't just a slogan, but a requirement for how our state operates. When those who have walked the path are the ones helping to draw the map, the system becomes more effective, more compassionate, and more successful.

03/13/2026

Friday Focus: Rest as Resistance

Between the headlines, the constant policy shifts, and the daily weight of navigating a world where it feels like the punches just keep coming, it is completely normal to feel drained. For those of us in the mental health community, that heaviness can feel twice as loud.

But here is the truth, rest is not a luxury. It is a strategic act of defiance.

There are systemic forces that benefit when we are too exhausted to notice our rights being chipped away. When we are burned out, we are quieter. When we are depleted, we are easier to ignore. By choosing to rest, you are reclaiming your power. You are saying "You do not own my energy, and you do not get to exhaust me into silence."

At CCSM, we know that the work of advocacy is a marathon, not a sprint. We can’t fight for a better Maine if we have nothing left in the tank. Self-care isn't about checking out. It is about refueling so we can keep showing up for ourselves and each other.

How are you resisting today?

Rest looks different for everyone. Try turning off the news for a few hours. Or stepping outside for some fresh Maine air before it snows again. Maybe taking a nap that your body is asking for. Or simply engaging in a hobby just for the joy of it, not for productivity.

When you take care of yourself, you are protecting the very heartbeat of our movement. You are keeping the voice of lived experience strong and sustainable.

03/12/2026

Tonight's Statewide Consumer Council Meeting has been cancelled and will be rescheduled. Please check our website for more information.

03/12/2026

Terms of the Trade: The Social Model of Disability

When we hear people talking about disability it is about something a person has. But in the world of advocacy, there is a powerful shift in perspective called the
Social Model. It changes the way we look at our challenges and our rights.

The Dictionary Definition: A framework that distinguishes between impairment (a person’s physical, sensory, or mental difference) and disability (the barriers, physical, attitudinal, or systemic, created by a society that does not account for those differences).

The Human Definition: It’s the difference between saying "I am disabled because I have high anxiety" and saying "I am being disabled by a workplace that refuses to provide a quiet space or clear, written instructions." In this model, the problem isn't your brain or your body the problem is an environment that isn't built for you.

The Systemic Connection: When we stop trying to fix individuals and start fixing the world around them, the path to inclusion is obvious.

The mental health system has put the burden on the individual to get better enough to fit into society. The Social Model puts the burden on society to be accessible enough for everyone.

When we view our challenges through this lens, we stop being cases to be managed and start being citizens with a right to an accessible world. Whether it’s demanding hybrid meeting options at the State House or advocating for clearer communication from providers, we are fighting to remove the barriers that disable us.

The Social Model is incredibly empowering because it removes the shame that somehow your disability is a burden and you are at fault. Your needs aren't inconvenient, they are the map for a more inclusive Maine. When we identify the barriers, we can work together to tear them down.