NEWS | Biddeford students benefit from new mental health initiative

Through the statewide initiative, the Biddeford School Department will receive $10,000 annually to support implementation of evidence-based youth mental health strategies.

By KAREN GARNETT | Biddeford School Department

Few things bring people together quite like sports, and for 20 students from Biddeford Intermediate School (BIS), a recent trip to see Portland’s Hearts of Pine (HOP) on May 2, 2026, was about far more than just soccer.

Thanks to donated tickets from Hearts of Pine, students had the opportunity to experience connection, teamwork, leadership, and belonging in a community setting, all as part of a broader youth mental health initiative designed to strengthen student wellbeing across the district.

**STUDENTS FROM BIDDEFORD INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL** attended the Portland Hearts of Pine match as part of Biddeford School Department’s participation in the SHAW Challenge, a statewide youth mental health initiative. | *Contributed photo*

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The outing was among one of many enrichment experiences planned over the next four years through participation in the SHAW (Supporting Hope Awareness and Wellbeing) Challenge.

Through the statewide initiative, the Biddeford School Department will receive $10,000 annually to support implementation of evidence-based youth mental health strategies, along with training, coaching, and technical assistance from MaineHealth and community partners.

The focus on youth mental health comes at a critical time. According to data shared through the Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey, 27.9 percent of Maine high school students reported feeling sad or hopeless for two or more weeks in the past year, while 12.9 percent seriously considered suicide and 5.6 percent reported attempting suicide.

Additionally, only 46.7 percent of students reported feeling that people at school care about and encourage them, underscoring the importance of strengthening supportive school and community connections for young people.

The SHAW Challenge supports schools in implementing programs that focus on protective factors and mental wellbeing. Key strategies include Sources of Strength, a peer-led mental health promotion and suicide prevention program; MindUP, a mindfulness curriculum for younger students; Youth Mental Health First Aid training; Mental Health Conversations for students and families; districtwide mental health skills curriculum development; and implementation of school cellphone policies designed to reduce stressors and strengthen protective factors for students.

**KICKING IT IN** | Beau Vire, a fourth grader at Biddeford Intermediate School, participates in pre-game activities before a recent Portland Hearts of Pine match. | *Contributed photo*

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“Our participation in the SHAW Challenge allows us to think creatively about how we support student wellbeing beyond traditional programming,” said Dr. Mandy Cyr, Director of Curriculum and Innovation for the Biddeford School Department.

“Experiences like this provide students with opportunities to engage in semi-structured social environments where they can practice communication, teamwork, conflict resolution and leadership skills in authentic ways,” Cyr said.

While opportunities like these game tickets may not always be available, Cyr says the partnership is opening the door to even more meaningful experiences for students.

“Our participation in the SHAW
Challenge allows us to think
creatively about how we support
student wellbeing beyond
traditional programming.”
— Mandy Cyr, Biddeford School Dept.

Through the grant, Cyr says the school department is launching after-school programming for our Grade Three and Four students focused on social-emotional learning in partnership with the University of New England and Hearts of Pine to create additional opportunities for students to build confidence and positive peer relationships through soccer and team-based activities.

Students selected for the outing represent a diverse group of students from BIS. School staff identified students who would benefit from additional opportunities for positive peer interaction and community engagement, including some who may not otherwise have access to extracurricular activities or live sporting events.

“For some of our students, this may be their first opportunity to attend a professional soccer match,” said Lindsey Nadeau, principal of Biddeford Intermediate School. “We know there are students who are passionate about soccer or interested in after-school activities but may face barriers to participating. Opportunities like this help broaden horizons, create positive memories, and foster a stronger sense of belonging.”

**MEET AND GREET** | Portland Hearts of Pine player, Hunter Morse, greets Biddeford Intermediate School students with high fives following the match. The experience highlighted the power of community connection and positive engagement as part of the district’s youth mental health and wellness efforts through the SHAW Challenge initiative. | *Contributed photo*

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The Hearts of Pine outing reflects the broader goals of the SHAW Challenge and the district’s commitment to creating supportive environments where students feel connected, valued, and empowered.

Through partnerships with MaineHealth, NAMI Maine, and other community organizations, the district is implementing strategies designed to strengthen youth mental health supports, increase student voice, and build a culture centered on hope and resilience.

As part of the initiative, students and staff across the district will engage in leadership development, peer-led campaigns, mental health awareness activities, and community-building efforts over the coming years.

Planned activities may include gratitude campaigns, student-led messaging projects, wellness events, and programs that encourage students to identify trusted adults and sources of strength within their lives.

The Biddeford School Department was selected as one of seven Maine districts participating in the SHAW Challenge.

Over the next four years, the district will continue implementing the key strategies identified, along with training, coaching, and technical assistance from MaineHealth and community partners, with the goal of strengthening resilience, increasing student connection to trusted adults and peers and creating school environments where all students feel supported, valued and empowered to thrive.

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