Top Features for Portland, Maine
Portland is a city in Maine located on a peninsula that extends into Casco Bay. The Old Port waterfront has working fishing wharves and converted warehouses featuring world-class restaurants and shops. In addition, the Western Promenade is close by and is a public park on a bluff, with river and mountain views. The West End District has Victorian-era homes, including the Victoria Mansion museum.
Facts
- Portland is the 20th-biggest fishing port in the country and the closest U.S. transatlantic port to Europe.
- Maine provides approximately 90% of the nation’s lobster supply – about 40 million pounds annually.
- Maine’s State Berry is the blueberry.
History/Data
The History of Portland, Maine, dates back to when the area, called Machigonne (meaning “great neck” by Algonquians), was originally inhabited by this group of people.
Portland was first settled in 1632, and During the War of Independence, the British bombarded and burned Portland, rebuilding it in 1786. Then, Maine gained independence from Massachusetts in 1820, and Portland became the capital, retaining until 1831.
In 2019, the reported population of Portland, Maine, was 66,595 people.
LGBTQ+ Facts
Portland, Maine, is a city that is supportive of its LGBTQ+ community. This city offers the following resources for LGBTQ+ folks:
Portland Maine PFLAG
Portland, Maine PFLAG is the local chapter of the national PFLAG organization. This group supports LGBTQ+ people, friends, family, and allies across the country in various ways. With 500 chapters and more than 200,000 members in the nation, PFLAG provides advocacy, support, and resources to the LGBTQ+ community.
Rainbow Business Professional Association
The Rainbow Business Professional Association is a group of LGBTQ+ professionals in Portland who promote equality in business and life in this city. The group has created scholarships, promotes events, and offers networking opportunities.
Speak Out Community Counseling Center
The Speak Out Community Counseling and Education Center is an incredible resource for the Portland, Maine LGBTQ+ community and the community as a whole. The group offers resources, counseling, and many behavioral health services.
Mental Health in Portland, Maine
According to a recent study, Maine is at the top of the list for the number of children who have mental health disorders. This study, conducted by JAMA Pediatrics, discovered that about 1 in 4 children in Maine had at least one mental health condition or disorder, including depression, anxiety, or ADHD.
This statistic is higher than the national occurrence of about 1 in 6. In addition, the study found the highest percentage of mental health problems among kids is in the state of Maine.
The study also discovered more alarming findings, like nearly half of children and teens with mental health disorders are not receiving treatment or care. All in all, approximately 7.7 million children have at least one mental health condition or disorder.
According to experts, there is a severe shortage of mental health providers who treat children and youth in Maine. At LGBTQ and ALL, we have compiled a list of all the psychologists for kids in the Portland area. That way, you can easily access mental health providers and contact one to get help right away.