Trauma Intervention Program of Greater Portland

04/06/2026

Are you interested in becoming a certified Mental Health First Aider?

The Portland Police Department's Behavioral Health Unit is hosting a free Mental Health First Aid training on April 22nd from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Merrill Auditorium Rehearsal Hall.

About the Training: Mental Health First Aid is a nationally recognized program that teaches participants how to identify, understand, and respond to signs of mental health and substance use challenges. The training provides practical skills and tools to support colleagues, community members and others in need.

We offer the blended version - Learners complete a two-hour, self-paced online course, and participate in a five hour, Instructor-led training. Each participant will receive a certificate from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing upon completion.

Please email BHU@portlandmaine.gov for information on how to register. Availability is limited, so don’t miss your chance to join!!!

04/04/2026

If Easter feels tender this year… a beautiful way to remember those who are not with us.

04/04/2026

Help us help others. We are not on their drop down list of non profits but you can write us in Tip Of Greater Portland Maine. Vote for us and help us help other in their worse moment. ❤️

Your votes matter

04/03/2026

TIP of Greater Portland would like to give a shout out and huge thank you to Vaughn for the donation of a sensory kit. This beautiful bag is full of items that can be used when responding to individuals or family members with Autism. On this World Autism Acceptance day, and the kick off of Autism awareness/acceptance month, the timing is perfect. Thank you Cat!!!

04/02/2026

We don’t show up because we have the perfect words.

We show up because someone shouldn’t be alone.

As TIP volunteers, we step into moments that feel uncertain… even awkward.
And we stay.

That’s where connection begins.
That’s where healing starts.

04/01/2026

03/31/2026

The Portland Police Department, in partnership with the Portland Public Library, will host “Coffee with a Cop” on the first Tuesday of April, May, and June from 10:15–11:00 AM at the Library’s downtown branch.

“Coffee with a Cop” brings officers and community members together, over coffee, to talk, ask questions, and get to know one another in an informal setting.

For more information, please contact Jennifer Rogers at jrogers@portlandmaine.gov.

03/28/2026

Our volunteers wrapped up this week of gratitude with visits to Cash Corner in South Portland, Western Ave in South Portland, Falmouth, Prides Corner, Black Point Firehouse, and South Portland PD! We continue to be thankful for all of our first responders. Wishing them physical, mental and emotional health and safety this week, and always.

03/27/2026

After a tragedy or the death of someone they love, children often ask difficult and very direct questions.

Questions like:
• “Why did they die?”
• “Where did they go?”
• “Is it going to happen to you too?”
• “Was it my fault?”

These questions can be heartbreaking and sometimes catch adults off guard. It can be tempting to avoid the conversation or soften the truth to protect them.

But children benefit most from honest, simple explanations that match their age and understanding.

Children are incredibly perceptive. When information is withheld, they may fill in the gaps with their own imagination — and what they imagine can sometimes feel more frightening than the truth.

Helpful ways to respond include:

• Use clear and simple language
Avoid confusing phrases like “they went to sleep” or “we lost them.” These can create fear or misunderstandings for children.

• Answer only what they ask
Children often process grief in small pieces. They may ask one question at a time as they are ready to understand more.

• Be honest if you don’t know the answer
It’s okay to say, “I don’t know, but we can talk about it together.”

• Reassure them they are safe
Children often worry about the safety of the adults in their lives after experiencing loss.

• Remind them the loss was not their fault
Many children quietly carry guilt, believing something they said, thought, or did caused the death.

It’s also important to remember that children may return to the same questions multiple times. This repetition is a normal part of how they process grief and make sense of what happened.

The goal isn’t to have the perfect answers.
The goal is to create a space where children feel safe asking questions, expressing emotions, and knowing they are supported.
Honesty, patience, and reassurance can help children begin to navigate grief in healthy ways.

For additional trauma and grief resources:
www.tipnnv.org

03/26/2026

TIP volunteers made several more visits today. Here’s a quick pic from Riverton House. We are so thrilled to have any opportunity to show our appreciation and we continue to wish all of our first responders good health and safety always .

03/24/2026

It’s day two of First Responder Wellness week and our TIP volunteers are enjoying this opportunity to say thank you. We hope that all of the amazing First Responders we work with , know how very much they are appreciated.