NAMI NH ENews | August 31, 2020 |
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Suicide Prevention Awareness Week
September 6 - 12, 2020
September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month — a time to share resources and stories in an effort to shed light on this highly taboo and stigmatized topic. We use this month to reach out to those affected by suicide, raise awareness and connect individuals with suicidal ideation to treatment services. It is also important to ensure that individuals, friends and families have access to the resources they need to discuss suicide prevention.
Along with our partners on the NH Suicide Prevention Council, NAMI NH will take part in virtual events and information sharing during National Suicide Prevention Awareness Week (September 6 - 12), including a virtual press conference on September 10th. Stay tuned to NAMI NH's social media for more details.
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GLS New Hampshire Nexus Project 2.0
The GLS NHNP 2.0 is a cross-systems, collaborative approach to reduce suicide incidents among youth by improving pathways to care and offering comprehensive training to provide youth-serving organizations with the resources to identify, screen, refer, and treat at-risk youth. The project will focus on youth and young adults ages 10-24 in the Capital, Carroll County, and North Country Regional Public Health Networks of New Hampshire.
In partnership with Northern Human Services and Riverbend Community Mental Health we have added a Care Liaison position in each location that will facilitate pathways to care for high-risk youth/young adults. These care liaisons will help strengthen existing partnerships with local organizations within their public health networks, to improve information sharing and problem solving, and build support networks for those most at risk. These positions serve to work with young people during times of crisis and health care transitions, which are especially times that are high for suicide risk.
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Sara Martin
Northern Human Services
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Acacia (Ace) McDowell
Riverbend Community Mental Health
Acacia (Ace) McDowell is the Care Liaison at Riverbend Community Mental Health. She has been working for Riverbend Mobile Crisis for the past three years, specializing in child assessments. Ace is currently working to obtain her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Southern New Hampshire University. She has worked with children and adolescents as a direct care counselor in a group home, at which time she moved on to become a therapeutic mentor in Massachusetts. When Ace is not working, she enjoys painting and spending time with friends, family, and her cat.
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Team Captains, this contest is for YOU!
Have 5+ team members registered for NAMIWalks NH Your Way by 9/12 at midnight and be entered to win two NAMI New Hampshire Yeti tumblers. Keep your favorite, use the second tumbler to incentivize your team!
Register now at www.NAMIWalksNH.org. We know the collective mental health needs of individuals, families, and our communities are great and will continue to grow in the coming months. Our programs and advocacy are needed now more than ever. In the wake of the pandemic, the support services, education programs, suicide prevention trainings, and advocacy provided by NAMI NH will be essential for Granite Staters affected by mental illness and suicide. You can help by joining us as a virtual walker, fundraising for NAMI NH, and raising awareness of mental health and suicide.
Thank you to our generous NAMIWalks NH Your Way sponsors!
Click here for our Exclusive Sponsorship Opportunities and click here for our 2020 Sponsorship Benefits.
GOLD SPONSORS
Alkermes
General Federation of Women's Clubs - NH (FACE MASK SPONSOR)
Harvard Pilgrim Health Care (FACE MASK SPONSOR)
Palmer Gas & Oil/Lamprey Energy
SILVER SPONSORS
St. Mary's Bank (DOG COSTUME CONTEST SPONSOR)
Cross Insurance
NH Community Behavioral Health Association
START/FINISH LINE SPONSOR
Merrimack County Savings Bank (KIDZONE SPONSOR)
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
BRONZE SPONSORS
Seacoast Mental Health Center (DAY OF HOPE AUCTION SPONSOR)
Janssen
Lakes Region Mental Health Center
NH Healthy Families
New Hampshire Hospital Association/Foundation for Healthy Communities
Northeast Delta Dental
Sam's Club #6386 (Concord)
Well Sense Health Plan
WestBridge
SUPPORTER SPONSORS
AmeriHealth Caritas
Riverbend Community Mental Health
Walmart #1753 (Derry)
Walmart #6352 (Hudson)
Walmart #2130 (Portsmouth)
Walmart #2057 (Rindge)
KILOMETER SPONSORS
Edward Jones - Goffstown
Greater Nashua Mental Health Center
In Honor of the NH State Police - Major (Ret.) Russell Conte
Manchester Comprehensive Treatment Center
The Mental Health Center of Greater Manchester
NFI North
Walmart #1762 (Seabrook)
MEDIA SPONSORS
iHeart Media NH
CG Studios
OUTFRONT Media
IN-KIND SPONSORS
Celebrations by Heidi
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Help us make sure mental health counts!
Participate in the 2020 census so our community gets the resources it needs to support people with mental illness. Visit www.nami.org/census to learn more.
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Click here to see NAMI NH's 2020 legislative priorities, read our testimony, track bills, sign up for public policy alerts, and more.
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Ballot by Mail
Want to #Vote4MentalHealth this fall but have health conditions or concerns about in-person voting? This easy-to-follow, nonpartisan video takes NH residents through the steps to request a ballot by mail for both primary (9/8) & general (11/3) elections.
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NAMI NH is Nonpartisan
Like mental illness and suicide, NAMI New Hampshire is nonpartisan. We support policies that help people with mental health conditions and their families, and collaborate with diverse stakeholders on shared goals to improve the lives of individuals affected by mental illness and suicide.
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Today in NH Emergency Departments... |
8 children and 58 adults (58 in EDs, 0 in correctional facilities) are waiting for psychiatric hospital care.
NAMI NH can connect those impacted by long ED waits with information, resources and support. Learn more. |
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NAMI NH is very concerned by the rising number of individuals in mental health crisis being boarded while waiting for inpatient beds. We have been working with hospitals, mental health centers/providers, state leaders, and our congressional delegation to better understand the situation and to identify short- and long-term solutions.
COVID-19 has dramatically slowed the ability of hospitals to discharge individuals needing residential placements – especially youth. Locating appropriate housing for adults has also been challenging.
The NH Department of Health and Human Services is on track to open the Philbrook Adult Transitional Housing (PATH) program with 16 beds in September 2020, and is working on a plan to increase beds at NH Hospital by June 2021.
If folks are experiencing anxiety, depression, or signs of other mental health conditions, it’s important to seek help now – from a primary care provider, local mental health center, or other provider. Please don’t wait until the situation escalates into a crisis.
NAMI NH will continue to post ED boarding data via social media on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and will share additional information about this situation as it becomes available.
Find your local community mental health center:
To connect with (non-crisis) resources & support in the Granite State, contact NAMI New Hampshire's Info & Resource Line at info@NAMINH.org or 1-800-242-6264 (press 4).
NAMI NH shares ED boarding posts to our social media on Tuesdays and Thursdays with the most recently available data.
NAMI NH continues to make ED boarding a top priority of advocacy efforts on behalf of individuals and families affected by mental illness and suicide.
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NAMI NH Advocacy Sponsor:
General Federation of Women's Clubs
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The General Federation of Women's Clubs made a $10,000 donation to support NAMI NH's advocacy efforts. This donation is part of the President's Project to Nurture Good Mental Health Through Awareness, and made possible through the Candia Community Woman's Club and their "In the Bag" fundraising. Throughout the year, clubs around the state will work with NAMI NH to raise awareness and funds.
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(WGBH)
(Associated Press)
(WMUR)
(Orlando Sentinel)
(Stat News)
(Mashable)
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Based on guidance from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), the NH Department of Health & Human Services, and Governor Sununu, NAMI NH is extending the suspension of all in-person support group meetings, classes, presentations, and trainings through August 31, 2020.
During this period of physical distancing, the NAMI NH team is working hard to stay socially connected to Granite Staters affected by mental illness and suicide.
To connect with resources & support, contact NAMI NH's Info & Resource Line at info@NAMINH.org or 1-800-242-6264 (press 4).
Current and upcoming virtual offerings include a Family-to-Family course (starting in September), monthly webinar series on First Episode Psychosis/Early Serious Mental Illness, additional offerings in the Side-by-Side Lunch & Learn series, twice weekly Yoga & Meditation, and much more.
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Suicide Prevention Resources |
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Garden in Support of NAMI NH!
NAMI NH is pleased to partner with Bloomin' Bucks with Brent and Becky's to help our supporters beautify their homes while giving back! Order your bulbs, plants, perennials, and anything else you might need for your garden at https://www.brentandbeckysbulbs.com/, choose NAMI NH as the designated charity, and we'll receive 25% of your purchase!
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Hannaford in Concord, NH Donating September Community Bag Proceeds to NAMI NH!
For the month of September, NAMI New Hampshire will receive a $1 donation from each purchase of the $2.50 reusable Community Bag at the Hannaford store located at 73 Fort Eddy Road, Concord NH. We are very grateful to Hannaford for including NAMI NH in this terrific charitable program!
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Despite the current situation, we want to share some key changes for the 2020 tax filing year that may be beneficial to you and your family during these difficult times.
The U.S. Congress has passed the CARES Act to provide economic assistance and there are some important changes that may make a difference for you this year.
Additional Income Tax Charitable Deduction: You can deduct up to $300 above the standard deduction for individuals in charitable contributions. This is for everyone, even if you have no other itemizations.
No "RMDs" from your IRA, but Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) are still a smarter way to give: For individuals with IRA accounts, there are no Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) this year. However, giving pre-tax funds out of your IRA will still lower your future tax burden compared to giving cash. If you are interested in this method of giving, please contact your IRA custodian for more information.
We hope you find this information useful as you make important decisions about how to best support NAMI NH and other charities this year. If you have any further questions about the CARES Act or just want to reach out, please contact Kristen Welch, CFRE, Director of Development or call 603-225-5359 ext. 350.
We are grateful for your steadfast and generous support of NAMI NH.
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NAMI NH Corporate Sponsor Partners
NAMI New Hampshire is grateful to our Corporate Sponsors and Members for their steadfast commitment to improving the lives of Granite Staters affected by mental illness and suicide. #hopestartswithyou
For information on Corporate Sponsorship, or to discuss additional partnership opportunities, contact Kristen Welch, CFRE, Director of Development, at kwelch@NAMINH.org or 603.235.5359 x350.
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How Schools Can Support Youth Mental Health |
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NAMI NH's Online Groups
NAMI New Hampshire offers four unique online groups - they're places to find peer support, share experiences, offer encouragement, and pass along resources. Click each link below to learn more and request membership.
Don't hesitate to contact info@NAMINH.org or call 1-800-242-6264 with any questions.
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Storytime with NAMI New Hampshire
Storytime with NAMI NH is back from vacation! Be sure to tune in for upcoming episodes.
August stories are focused on BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color) Mental Health.
NAMI NH's BIPOC Mental Health Resources webpage is curated in support of community members who are Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color – and to forward the cause of anti-racism.
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OnwardNH.org is home to a wealth of information, videos, resources, and personal stories about first episode psychosis (FEP) and early serious mental illness (ESMI) in the Granite State - from the perspectives of individuals, family members, educators, and practitioners. The website now also features an Education page, where you can access videos from the FEP webinar series, including those highlighted below.
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Patricia E. Deegan PhD
NH FEP Series #3 – August 20, 2020
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Dr. Shirley Glynn, PhD, UCLA
NH FEP Series #2 – July 16, 2020
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Online Support & Resources
The NAMI NH office is closed to the public and in-person support group meetings and trainings are suspended through August 31st. However, staff members continue their work remotely, and with the exceptional assistance of NAMI NH volunteers, most support groups and other activities have moved online. Please reach out, and take good care.
Crisis Support - if you, or someone you know, is struggling emotionally - you are not alone.
NAMI NH's Info & Resource Line continues to operate!
To connect with support, message info@NAMINH.org or call 1-800-242-6264 (press 4).
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Tuesday, September 1st, 7-9 PM |
The Exchange Live From Home: COVID-19, Self-Care & Mental Health
FREE event - registration REQUIRED:
Look at how the pandemic is affecting our mental health & daily lives. Mental health experts will offer up coping strategies & tips.
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Webinar Series from American Public Health Association |
APHA is hosting a webinar series to give an in-depth look at racism as a driving force of the social determinants of health and equity. The series will explore efforts to address systems, policies and practices designed to limit and shape opportunities for people of color. Presenters will highlight collective and individual actions we can take to advance racial equity and justice.
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The preparation of this newsletter was financed under an agreement with the State of New Hampshire, Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Behavioral Health, with funds provided in part or in whole by the State of New Hampshire and/or the United States Department of Health and Human Services. |
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