Schnieders speaks to Maine Monitor about noncredentialed ‘navigators’
Lori Schnieders, associate professor of psychology at the University of Maine at Machias, spoke to the Maine Monitor about a program that allows noncredentialed, adult “navigators,” also known as community health workers, to escort students to private rooms within the schools for their teletherapy sessions in an attempt to address shortages in mental health professionals. “They definitely are putting people not qualified in those positions. My fear is that somebody’s going to give some advice and a kid is going to wind up committing suicide,” Schnieders said. The Bangor Daily News and News Center Maine shared the Maine Monitor report.