Lincoln Academy sophomore Sarah Rushton passes out Yellow Tulip Hope bags during the Nov. 10 showing of “Screenagers: The Next Chapter” at the Lincoln Theater. Courtesy of Piper Wilber
MaineHealth Lincoln Hospital’s Coulombe Center for Health Improvement partnered with the Lincoln Theater to host two free community showings of “Screenagers: The Next Chapter – Addressing Youth Mental Health in the Digital Age.” The documentary explores the growing challenges young people face and highlights ways families and communities can better support them.
The first showing took place during the school day and was attended by students from Boothbay Region elementary and high schools, as well as Wiscasset Middle High School. After the film, students participated in small-group discussions on stress, connection and strategies to support their own well-being. Educators reported strong engagement and thoughtful conversations among participants.
A week later, 65 attendees of all ages attended the second show. Melissa Keeport, DO, a pediatrician at MaineHealth Primary Care Damariscotta, Stephanie Field, manager of Integrated Behavioral Health for the Coastal Region; and Laurie Rushton, project manager for Community Health, led a lively discussion focused on local mental health needs, the impact of digital life on youth and practical approaches to strengthening community support.
Attendees received yellow tulip bulbs from the Yellow Tulip Project, a Maine-based, youth-driven effort created to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness and to promote hope. The project was founded by Julia Hansen, who lost two close friends to suicide and launched the initiative to honor them. According to Hansen, yellow symbolizes hope, and tulips represent resilience through dark seasons. Bulbs planted in the fall bloom each spring as a visible reminder of strength and recovery.
This month, MaineHealth supported the planting of Yellow Tulip Hope Gardens at two high schools in Lincoln County.
About MaineHealth: MaineHealth is a not-for-profit, integrated health system whose vision is, “Working together so our communities are the healthiest in America,” and is committed to a mission of providing high-quality affordable care, educating tomorrow’s caregivers and researching better ways to provide care.
