Across Aroostook County, emergency rooms are increasingly overwhelmed by developmentally disabled youth experiencing mental health crises. These hospital settings are not designed to provide the specialized behavioral care these children urgently need. Instead, children face long wait times in loud, overstimulating environments that can worsen their distress and trauma — while already overextended emergency staff struggle to respond.

Children with developmental disabilities are more likely to experience mental health challenges but face significant barriers to receiving appropriate treatment, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. When community-based behavioral health services are unavailable, families are left with no option but the emergency room.

This is not a sustainable solution.

We urgently call on local and state leaders to:

• Increase funding for specialized behavioral health services
• Expand access to trained Behavioral Health Professionals (BHPs)
• Develop community-based crisis response options
• Ensure services are accessible throughout Aroostook County

By investing in early intervention and crisis support, we can stabilize youth sooner, reduce unnecessary ER visits, support families, and ease the burden on hospital staff.

Our children deserve care that understands their needs — not a waiting room in crisis.

Sign this petition to demand expanded behavioral health services for developmentally disabled youth in Aroostook County.