Consumer Council System of Maine

Consumer Council System of Maine A mental health advocacy organization providing a voice for consumers of mental health services.

•The Consumer Council System of Maine (CCSM) is an independent, public instrumentality established by Maine law (Title 34-B, §3611).

•The CCSM is responsible for providing an independent and effective consumer voice into mental health public policy, services, and funding decisions. The CCSM consists entirely of past/present recipients of mental health services (consumer/peers), including all Statewide Consumer Council representatives and paid staff.

03/16/2026

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

Big Picture Monday: Lived Experience as ExpertiseWhen we look at the "Big Picture" of Maine’s mental health system, we o...
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.

Friday Focus: Rest as ResistanceBetween the headlines, the constant policy shifts, and the daily weight of navigating a ...
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.

Terms of the Trade: The Social Model of DisabilityWhen we hear people talking about disability it is about something a p...
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.

"I spent years feeling like a ghost in the system. Seen but not heard, looked at but not understood. I used to wait for ...
03/11/2026

"I spent years feeling like a ghost in the system. Seen but not heard, looked at but not understood. I used to wait for permission to speak, those around me thinking they always knew what was best for me. The moment I realized my story wasn't a secret to keep, but a source of strength to share, was the moment I stopped being a 'patient' and started being a person again."

It is a heavy thing to feel invisible in your own recovery. We know that many of us have spent far too long sitting in waiting rooms or at meeting tables feeling like our presence was just a formality.

But there is a profound shift that happens when we move from silence to speaking up. Empowerment begins when we realize that our journey has value, the hurdles, the small wins, and the hard-earned lessons. When we speak, we don't just change our own path; we help reshape the system for everyone who comes after us.
Your voice is the bridge between a system that manages and a community that supports.

WE WANT TO FEATURE YOU!
Your voice is the heartbeat of CCSM. Whether you have a short quote, a lesson learned, or a moment where you finally felt heard, we want to give you a platform. You don't have to be a professional writer; you just have to be you.
• 💬 Comment below: "I have a story to tell!"
• 📬 Send us a DM right here on Facebook.
• 📧 Email us: blorance@maineccsm.org

Lived experience is the expertise that will fix the system. Let’s make sure the experts are heard.

Policy Pulse: Your Voice, Your Story, Your Power Have you ever wanted to tell a legislator how a bill would actually aff...
03/10/2026

Policy Pulse: Your Voice, Your Story, Your Power

Have you ever wanted to tell a legislator how a bill would actually affect your life, but didn’t know where to start? You don’t have to do it alone. CCSM is here to support you through every step of the legislative process.

We help you take your raw experience and turn it into a structured, impactful testimony. We have templates and guides to help you.

We host legislative trainings and education days (like our recent Peer Advocate Legislative Education Day!) to show you exactly what to expect when you walk into a committee room or log onto a Zoom hearing.

Whether you want to submit written words, speak via Zoom, or stand at the podium in Augusta, we’re there to walk you through the logistics, stand beside you, and cheer you on.

Your story is the most powerful tool for change in Maine. When legislators hear from us, the issues become real human stories. Nothing About Us Without Us!

Is the idea of testifying on your mind? Maybe you’ve done it before, or maybe the thought of it is a bit intimidating. Comment below with your experience or any questions you have! A fellow peer might be able to share their own story or offer some encouragement.

Big Picture Monday: The View from Rural MaineMaine’s Heritage Industries, our farmers, loggers, and fishermen; are the b...
03/09/2026

Big Picture Monday: The View from Rural Maine

Maine’s Heritage Industries, our farmers, loggers, and fishermen; are the backbone of our state. But too often, the mental health system is designed for cities, leaving our rural peers to navigate isolation, long distances to care, and a lack of support that truly gets the unique pressures of their lives.

Our mission is to ensure that the mental health system is driven by the people who use it.
We want to hear from you:
• If you live in a rural area, what has your experience been like trying to find support that understands your way of life?
• What is one thing you would like to see change to make mental health care more accessible in your neck of the woods?

Comment below and share your vision for what a better system would look like. A fellow peer might be feeling the exact same way, and your voice could be the spark that helps us advocate for real change.

Exhale. Before the new week begins, take a moment to check in with yourself. Make sure you're doing what you can for you...
03/08/2026

Exhale.

Before the new week begins, take a moment to check in with yourself. Make sure you're doing what you can for yourself before the new week begins.

Is there something heavy on your heart or mind today? Feel free to share it below. You might find a peer who has walked a similar path and can offer a word of understanding or shared experience.

Resource Spotlight: Our Voice of ME PodcastLooking for inspiration on your commute or during your morning coffee? Tune i...
03/07/2026

Resource Spotlight: Our Voice of ME Podcast

Looking for inspiration on your commute or during your morning coffee? Tune into "Our Voice of ME," the official podcast of the Consumer Council System of Maine!

We’re amplifying the voices of individuals with lived experience right here in our state. Hear real stories of recovery, advocacy, and systemic change from the people who are living it every day.

Hear from peers across Maine. Learn about current mental health policy issues. Find hope in shared experiences.

Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or directly on our website at https://maineccsm.org/ourvoiceofme/

A friendly Friday reminder for our peers: You don't have to earn your rest. Sometimes, the most important showing up you...
03/06/2026

A friendly Friday reminder for our peers: You don't have to earn your rest.

Sometimes, the most important showing up you can do is showing up for yourself. The system will still be there tomorrow, but your well-being needs you right now.

If you’re feeling the weight of the world, give yourself permission to turn off the notifications, take a nap without guilt, say no to an extra task. just be.

We need you here for the long haul. Take care of the advocate so the advocacy can live on.

Address

219 Capitol Street, Suite #7
Augusta, ME
04330

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4pm
Tuesday 8am - 4pm
Wednesday 8am - 4pm
Thursday 8am - 4pm
Friday 8am - 4pm

Website

https://the-ccsm-shop.printify.me/

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•The Consumer Council System of Maine (CCSM) is an independent, public instrumentality established by Maine law (Title 34-B, §3611). •The CCSM is responsible for providing an independent and effective consumer voice into mental health public policy, services, and funding decisions. The CCSM consists entirely of past/present recipients of mental health services (consumer/peers), including all Statewide Consumer Council representatives and paid staff.