AUBURN — More than 150 people attended the Annual Meeting for Tri-County Mental Health Services on Oct. 15. The event featured an address by Benjamin Boone, author of “Minority of Mind,” a memoir of his battle for mental health, and “Experiments in Imagination,” a guide to finding joy and recovery when living with mental illness.

Catherine Ryder, executive director, and Paul Gauvreau, board president, presented the Giving Hope and Inspiration Awards.

The Inspiration Award, given annually to an outstanding TCMHS employee who demonstrates excellence and exemplary commitment to serving clients and achieving the agency’s mission, was presented to Adria Travierso. Travierso has worked in TCMHS client services since 2010. She received four separate nominations, all citing her extraordinary work on behalf of military personnel and their families.

In the words of Master Sgt. Roger Brawn of the Maine National Guard, one of the nominators, “Adria has helped numerous National Guard Service Members access substance abuse services. Her dedication to assisting these people has made a huge difference in a large number of people’s lives. Seeking substance abuse services can be a daunting task for those looking for help and she makes it extremely easy.”

The Giving Voice Award is given to an individual or group of individuals from the community, for extraordinary efforts on behalf of people with mental illness, intellectual disabilities or autism. Becky Hayes Boober, program manager at the Maine Health Access Foundation, was the recipient of the 2013 award.

Hayes Boober has been a statewide leader in advancing Integrated Primary Care. She has been an advocate, coach and supporter of the advancements TCMHS has made in this area.

“Becky is committed to ensuring that the people of Maine are able to access care in ways that are cost effective and quality driven,” said Ryder in presenting the award.

The board and corporators of the agency also held their business meeting to elect officers and members for 2013-14. They are N. Paul Gauvreau of Lewiston, president; John Geismar of Minot, vice president; Christopher DeMerchant of Turner, treasurer; and Mary Ellen Davis of Lewiston, secretary.

Stepping down from the board after dedicated service were Peter Letourneau, Joline Lovejoy and Elaine Jacques. Letourneau will continue as a corporator and chairman of the Audit Committee of the board.

Tri-County Mental Health Services is Maine’s most comprehensive agency dealing with the psychological and social well-being of children, adults and elders. It serves individuals, families and communities in Androscoggin, Cumberland, Franklin and Oxford counties. For more information, visit www.tcmhs.org.

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