Erin St. John shares his recovery story at MaineHealth Behavioral Health event
MaineHealth Behavioral Health hosted its Signs of Hope signature summer benefit July 16 at Portland Country Club to raise awareness of and resources for behavioral health programs and services. The spotlight was on treatment of co-occurring substance use and mental health, with Erin St. John sharing his story of how MaineHealth programs and resources have given him life-changing support.
“Three years ago, I had come to my wits’ end after nearly a decade of drinking, isolating and become more and more a shell of a man,” St. John said.
His journey with MaineHealth began when he had an alcoholic seizure. After a short hospitalization, he completed an intensive outpatient program that involved meeting several times a week with counselors and others in recovery. Then he joined an after-care group that meets for an hour a week and is facilitated by social worker Elizabeth Keith. Because this was at the tail end of pandemic restrictions, the group met via Zoom. It was intended to last six to nine weeks but is still going strong three years later, creating a lasting support network.
Even so, St. John had a relapse and another seizure — this time in front of his mother. He was life-flighted to Maine Medical Center, where he spent a night in the intensive care unit. A brain bleed was detected but then, with no explanation, disappeared.
“I like to call that being divinely intervened upon,” St. John said with a wry smile. “It was time to reset my life, to start over. With the help of MaineHealth and Maine Behavioral units and after-care that I’ve been a part of over the past three years, my life has changed significantly.”
St. John completed a six-month residential rehabilitation program in Saco, where he was then hired as a temporary clinical aide and worked for a year with men who just wanted to be heard and understood by somebody who knew. Today, St. John is a registered recovery coach and a student at the University of Maine at Augusta pursuing a degree in Mental Health and Human Services with a focus on counseling.
“Addiction and mental health disorders can affect anyone,” he said, “Having resources available provides hope to those who seek help. I just happened to have found my calling along the way.”
The 140 guests at Signs of Hope gave St. John a standing ovation. “It takes a lot to stand up here and tell your story, to be that vulnerable,” said Lucy Tucker, development committee chair.
Signs of Hope raised more than $175,000 to advance behavioral health programs and services.
Amy Paradysz is a freelance writer and photographer based in Scarborough. She can be reached at [email protected].
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