September/October Newsletter
Make Mental Health Part of Your Back to School!
The arrival of autumn officially signals back-to-school time! For both caregivers and kids, this season brings out a lot of mixed emotions, as we leave behind fun times together and move on to exciting new opportunities, responsibilities, and changes to our daily life. During this back-to-school season, and throughout the school year, make sure to prioritize your and your family’s mental health!

With a coordinated and collaborative effort involving multiple entities across the state with leadership from the NH Department of Health and Human Services and the NH Department of Education, the NH Children’s System of Care is comprised of over 50 organizations who work collaboratively to support children in the Granite State with mental health challenges. NH CSoC is dedicated to improving the mental health of NH children, youth and their families through a network of resources and support.

Here are some helpful resources:
  • Family Peer Support Specialists work with your family to identify your needs and provide coaching, education, and support for all family members as you work towards addressing your needs and goals
  • Parent Support Groups are scheduled, live meetings for parents of children/adolescents with social-emotional challenges.
  • Caregivers of Children & Adolescents with Social Emotional Challenges – Private Facebook Group
New Statewide Suicide Prevention Resource
Suicide is an important health issue which is often preventable.

To express New Hampshire’s continued commitment to strengthening suicide prevention efforts in advance of National and NH Suicide Prevention Week, September 10-16, the NH Suicide Prevention Council recently launched a new statewide resource.

PreventSuicideNH.org provides resources to support mental health and suicide prevention in the Granite State.

The New Hampshire Suicide Prevention Council is dedicated to increasing awareness of suicide prevention, addressing the mental health and substance abuse needs of all residents, addressing the needs of those affected by suicide and promoting policy change.
New Hampshire Family NOW Podcast
New Hampshire Children's Trust hosts New Hampshire Family NOW, a frank conversation about the ups and downs of parenting co-hosted by Nathan Fink (NH Children's Trust) and Jasmine Torres Allen (NH PBS). In season 3, episode 53 titled "Be Here Tomorrow," hear from Kevin Hines, suicide prevention advocate, best-selling author, speaker, and award-winning filmmaker, as he discusses a global effort to be here tomorrow through identification, conversation and compassion.
Surviving and Thriving After a Suicide Attempt
Kevin Hines is an award-winning brain/mental health and suicide prevention activist, multiple award-winning filmmaker, best-selling author, and international speaker sharing his story of an unlikely survival and his strong
will to live. Two years after he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder (19 years of age), he attempted to take his life by jumping from the Golden Gate Bridge. He is one of only thirty-four to survive the fall, and the only one to regain full physical mobility. Today, Kevin dedicates his life to saving lives, encouraging others to seek help, and by spreading empathy and his message of hope.

Should you or someone you know need mental health crisis care in New Hampshire, please call or text the NH Rapid Response Access Point at 1-833-710-6477 or visit NH988.com. If you need assistance outside NH, please call or text 988. Both are available 24/7.
Magnify Voices Art on Display
The 2023 Magnify Voices Expressive Art Contest exhibit submissions will be on display this fall. Visit the NH State Library during the month of September or Dartmouth Health from October through first week of January to view artwork from NH youth in fifth through 12th grade.

NH CSoC created the Magnify Voices contest in 2019 to highlight the inadequacies in the system that serves Granite State youth and their families by raising awareness, effectuating change and erasing stigma around mental illness. Magnify Voices is part of a larger, national effort to recognize the vital importance of positive mental health for a child’s healthy development.
NH Rapid Response and Youth
NH Rapid Response is accessible to address mental wellness and substance use concerns. Support may include communicating by phone or text and NH Rapid Response is also able to provide an in person visit with trained professionals in the home, school, work or community. Follow-up appointments for crisis intervention services can be requested. If you or someone you care about is experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis, you can call and speak to trained and caring staff.
 
COMMON SIGNS FOR CONCERN INCLUDE:
  • Talking or thinking about harming or killing oneself or others
  • Seeking guns, pills or other ways to kill oneself
  • Talking or writing about death, dying, or killing oneself
  • Feeling hopeless
  • Feeling very angry or looking for revenge
  • Acting recklessly or engaging in unsafe activities
  • Feeling trapped, like there is no way out
  • Increasing alcohol or drug use
  • Pulling away from friends and family
  • Feeling worried or irritated
  • Having trouble sleeping or sleeping all the time
October Brings Awareness to Mental Illness
October brings the spotlight on mental illness with Mental Illness Awareness Week October 1 – 7 and World Mental Health Day on October 10. Throughout the month, CSoC Advisory Group members will be bringing awareness through local events such as NAMIWalks NH, the state’s largest mental health awareness and suicide prevention event, on October 1.
Children's System of Care | NHCSoC.org