WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King and U.S. Representatives Chellie Pingree and Jared Golden announced that the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (Maine DHHS) will receive $2,048,452 through the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Emergency Response Grant program (SERG). This program is designed to meet emergency substance use and mental health needs for communities impacted by a precipitating emergency or disaster event. In this instance, the funding will be used for community mental health needs in the greater-Lewiston community, following the shooting that took place in October of last year and claimed the lives of 18 individuals and wounded 13 others.

“In the wake of last year's horrific shooting in Lewiston, this emergency funding from SAMHSA will help meet the mental health needs of those impacted by this tragedy,” the Delegation said. “The people of Maine are resilient.  While nothing we can do will bring back the lives lost, we will continue to work together with our state and federal partners to help ensure that Lewiston and surrounding communities have the resources and support needed to heal and recover.”

Following the shooting of October 25, 2023, the Maine delegation sent two letters to the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of the Army, Lieutenant General Donna W. Martin, calling for a comprehensive review of the events surrounding the shooting. The Inspector General has since announced she will conduct a formal, independent investigation into the events leading up to the shooting.

###