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*NEW* CHANGE for Concord Session
We need YOU to attend Public Information Session on 
10 Year Mental Health Plan!

Concord Public Information Session
Monday, December 3, 2018, 5:00 - 7:00 pm
(Replaces previously scheduled November 15 session)
Location TBD

From the Department of Health and Human Services: " The Department shares with stakeholders the goal of developing and implementing a Ten-Year Mental Health Plan that is responsive to the needs of people who receive mental health services and supports. As we consider public feedback from recent public input sessions, the Department is taking additional time to ensure the final plan reflects all of the comments we've received from advocates, policymakers, and most importantly, the individuals and families who depend on the State's mental health system.

The draft of the  Ten-Year Mental Health Plan will now be released and posted on the DHHS website on Tuesday, November 13th. A three-week public comment period on the draft plan will start on that day. 

The date for the final public input session in Concord has also been changed to provide people an opportunity to review the draft plan prior to the event. The Concord public session will be held on from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on Monday, December 3rd in Concord. The location for the meeting will be announced shortly." 

It's critical that we pack this room! Pl ease plan to attend to show your  support  for mental health, even if you don't wish to speak.


We need to focus on a unified message: New Hampshire's mental health service delivery system is not presently meeting the needs of vulnerable  children, youth, adults and older adults with serious mental illness -  call on the Governor and Legislature to commit to investing adequate resources to move the 10 Year Mental Health Plan forward during the next legislative session. 

You could also pick out one or two of these talking points to focus on, especially if they align with your personal experience or story.  This list is not all inclusive - feel free to address other points not covered here.  
  • We need to immediately increase Medicaid Reimbursement rates:
    • Low Medicaid reimbursement rates are a major factor in workforce shortages and result in:
      • Long wait times for outpatient treatment
      • Frequent turnover of staff
  • We need to eliminate the practice of holding people in a mental health crisis in Emergency Departments by providing:
    • Mobile crisis response services (including peer supports) statewide 
    • Increased availability of Designated Receiving Facility (DRF) beds, especially in the North Country 
    • Increased availability of crisis housing options including peer respite beds 
    • Develop a model of peer support for people waiting in Emergency  Departments 
  • We need to increase the full spectrum of housing options available for people with serious mental illness including:
    • Group homes and transitional apartments that have 24/7 staff and supports
    • More subsidized housing vouchers
    • Respite for families with children with Serious Emotional Disturbance
    • Specialized options for older adults with mental health issues 
  • We need to expand available supports after (or to prevent) a hospitalization (step up and step down services) including:
    • Statewide availability of partial hospital/day treatment programs
    • Expanded access to clubhouse model programs
    • More programs and services through peer support agencies 
  • Provide more options for inpatient and outpatient treatment for individuals with co-occurring mental illness and substance use disorders.  
    • Need programs that eliminate the silos between mental health and substance use disorder conditions
    • Need more specialized training and workforce development
  • Enhance Services to Children with Serious Emotional Disorders (SED)
    • Continue to expand Fast Forward program and other home based/ comprehensive community support services to families/children with SED 
      • Sustain current collaborative efforts between the DHHS Bureau of Children's Behavioral Health and NH Dept of Education Office of Student Wellness 
    • Ensure that all programs and services offered are trauma sensitive and informed
    • Increase availability of respite care to families with a serious emotional disturbance 
    • Take steps to renovate/relocate the current Children's unit at New Hampshire Hospital to a setting that is intended and more appropriate for Children 
    • Make available more residential treatment for youth and young adults with co-occurring mental illness and substance use disorders
  • Reduce the number of people with mental illness who are incarcerated in our jails and prisons 
    • More consistent training for law enforcement/criminal justice/corrections to appropriately identify, respond and refer individuals with mental illness to alternative programs and/or treatment
    • Need a full complement of Mental Health Courts operating throughout the state
    • County jails need to provide more treatment options for mental illness and substance use disorders and especially need to ensure people are connected with available treatment programs at the point of discharge 
    • Need to eliminate the process of transferring people from New Hampshire Hospital to the Secure Psychiatric Unit by providing a higher level of care/security for these individuals within a hospital (rather than corrections setting)
    • Develop alternatives so that all forensic patients currently served in the Secure Psychiatric Unit are treated in a hospital setting 
  • Improve health outcomes and increase the lifespan for individuals with serious mental illness
    • Need to continue to invest in developing integrated primary and behavioral health care systems to reduce the incidence of co-morbid health conditions and premature death
    • Expand and coordinate suicide prevention efforts throughout New Hampshire communities, including all health care facilities and providers
If you have questions or would like more information, please contact advocacy@NAMINH.org

#Act4MentalHealth

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NAMI New Hampshire | 85 N. State St. | 603.225.5359 | info@NAMINH.org | www.NAMINH.org