State to choose name for psychiatric hospital

AUGUSTA – The Healing Center, New Hope Haven and Augusta Wholesome Life Center are among suggestions the state has received for names for a new state psychiatric hospital.

State officials plan to recommend one of the suggested names to the Maine Legislature for final approval this session. Other suggestions include Oasis, River View and The Institute of Healing.

The new 92-bed hospital will open next year and replace the aging Augusta Mental Health Institute, or AMHI.

Sen. Beverly Daggett, sponsor of the bill that sets forth the process, noted that this is the first time in more than 100 years that the state has had a new public hospital to name.

“Certainly the best way to approach this important task is to look to the Maine people for their ideas,” she said.

So far, more than 40 ideas are under consideration, and the Department of Behavioral and Development Services, which will submit its selection for approval, are winnowing the list down.

Ideas have come from patients and former patients, along with their family members, AMHI staff members and others, Daggett said.