Support

Maine FrontLine WarmLine Now Available to Support Maine School Staff

To support Maine school staff, Mills Administration announced an expansion of support line for Maine’s frontline workers on World Teacher’s Day.

The “Maine FrontLine WarmLine” is now expanding its services to include Maine’s educators and school staff. The Maine FrontLine WarmLine is a phone support service that provides Maine’s essential health care workers, first responders, and now school staff with help in managing the stress of providing essential services during our fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. The volunteers help callers address concerns with anxiety, irritability, poor sleep, grief or worry and, if needed, connect them with additional supports.

The FrontLine WarmLine is staffed by volunteer professionals activated through Maine Responds, which includes licensed psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical counselors, social workers, and nurse practitioners, and has now been expanded to include retired teachers and educators. It launched in April as a joint effort of the Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Maine Department of Public Safety's Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Maine Association of Psychiatric Physicians, Opportunity Alliance, Maine Psychological Association, and the Maine Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers. The Maine Department of Education, the Maine Education Association (MEA), and MEA Retired now join the collaboration to expand the service to school staff, including educators, school administrators, and school staff in facilities, transportation, and food services, among many others.

“As the daughter of a school teacher, I have seen firsthand the hard work and dedication that this profession requires,” said Governor Janet Mills. “While our educators deserve thanks and support every day, it is fitting that on World Teachers Day we expand Maine’s FrontLine WarmLine to provide an additional resource to the school staff who are serving Maine students.”

The FrontLine WarmLine is available from 8 AM to 8 PM, 7 days a week by calling (207) 221-8196 or texting 898-211

The FrontLine WarmLine is a central component of the Office of Behavioral Health’s StrengthenME program, which supports mental health and resiliency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

For those who are not health care workers, first responders or school staff but are experiencing emotional distress, several other 24/7 resources are available:

  • Statewide Crisis Line: 888-568-1112

  • Intentional Peer Support Warmline to speak with staff who have lived experience with mental health conditions: 866-771-9276

  • Suicide Hotline: 800-273-TALK (800-273-8255)

  • 211 and 211maine.org can provide general COVID-19 information, including how to access behavioral health and social service resources

  • Maine DHHS Office of Behavioral Health resources guide