From the Corner Office:
New Beginnings
~Maggie Pritchard
CEO, Lakes Region Mental Health Center
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Fall may seem an unusual time of year for a fresh start. However, given the glorious change of scenery it brings to New Hampshire, Fall speaks volumes for beginning new, creative endeavors.
As the leader of this organization, I believe the time is right to embrace change and promote our collective creativity. During this time of year especially, I am happy to report that this goes on each and every day, thanks to our talented staff.
From this corner office I see many new projects beginning to take shape:
- We are very close to deciding on a new Electronic Health Record (EHR) provider, thanks to all of your input.
- I recognize personal and professional growth happening as a result of the newly formed Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) committee.
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Our Annual Meeting in October will occur in person for the first time since 2019, giving the Board of Directors and the Management Team a wonderful opportunity to celebrate recent (and evolving!) achievements together.
- Housing programs are expanding as we recognize the critical need. We are working on two collaborations that will increase the number of patients that our team can support.
None of this would be possible without the dedication of our staff here at Lakes Region Mental Health Center. I continue to be pleasantly amazed with the way many are willing to jump in and go the “extra mile” when there is an opportunity for change on the horizon- one that will bring about lasting positive benefit for the organization, the people we serve, or the community as a whole.
I can’t wait to see what else this year of positive change brings!
With gratitude,
Maggie
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NAMIWalks NH
Thanks to the incredible efforts of our LRMHC team, we have raised $720 – only $280 more to go until we reach our fundraising goal!
When: Sat, Oct 8th; 9 am - 1 pm (walk starts at 10:30am)
Where: Soccer Fields on South Fruit Street Concord, NH 03301
Join or Donate to Our Team Here
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LRMHC Annual Meeting
The theme of this year’s Annual Report and Meeting is “Celebrating Diversity.”
When: October 25th; 5:30-7:30pm
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A new LRMHC Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) mission and vision statement has been created thanks to the new EDI Committee. Stay tuned! | | |
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Pumpkin Fest
Pumpkin Fest is officially happening this year!
It is a family-friendly celebration of fall, with food vendors, attractions, tournaments, live music, and more!
Where: Downtown Laconia
When: Oct 29; 10am-7pm
For more info, check out their website!
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Meet Our Access to Care Team | |
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Lori Champion
How long have you worked at LRMHC?
--17 Years. I started as a Customer Support Representative (CSR) and now am the Access to Care Facilitator
What is your favorite thing about working here?
--Flexibility
What do you listen to in the car during your commute to/from work?
--93.3 the Wolf
What was one of your biggest adventures in life?
--Having a 2nd child when my 1st was 18 years old. 2nd child is now 11 and its always an adventure
What is your special talent?
--I can sew, I did it for a living for 8 years and almost opened my own business
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Ana Hewitt
How long have you worked at LRMHC?
--8 years in December
What is your favorite thing about working here?
-- The flexibility for my family and the people I’ve met along the way
If you could spend a day with anyone who has ever lived, who would it be?
-- I would spend the day with my mom, who passed away when I was four years old. I would spend all day getting to know her as a person
What is something you are proud of?
-- My son, Miles
What is your special talent?
-- I played the clarinet for over 10 years. Not sure I can play anymore, but maybe it’s like riding a bike and would come right back to me
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Brittni Ekholm
How long have you worked at LRMHC?
--1 ½ years
What is your favorite thing about working here?
--I love my coworkers and the flexibility
What does a typical weekend look like for you?
--Cleaning, spending time with friends/family, and lots of homework!
What’s the worst meal you ever cooked?
--Fried raviolis in the air fryer and they came out looking like moon rocks
What is a fun fact about you? --I have 14 tattoos and have plans for many more!
What is one of your favorite weird food combinations?
--Black raspberry ice cream on Ritz crackers (don’t judge me)
What’s your favorite season of the year and why?
--Fall! Halloween is my favorite holiday
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Jay Cross
How long have you worked at LRMHC?
--1 year in October
What is your favorite thing about working here?
--I enjoy working in an environment that promotes mental health awareness and has plenty of opportunities to grow
Last book you read? What did you think of it and why?
--Tweak: Growing Up On Methamphetamines by Nic Sheff. It was an assignment for class, it's a personal story of someone with an addiction and really allowed you to see the mindset of someone struggling
Is there a different career path that entices you?
--I’m in school for Clinical Mental Health Counseling, so I haven’t gotten to my ideal career yet. I have a minor in Animation because I was interested in working for animation studios in high school
What was one of your biggest adventures in life?
--Moving to NH from Tennessee. I flew here with two suitcases so I could go to grad school in a new area and explore more of the US
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Three CSP teams have merged into one large outpatient team. This will increase availability of services and providers for patients.
Patient Success Stories:
A patient experiencing chronic homelessness who previously was unable to care for themselves was successfully placed in assisted living, and as a bonus, quit smoking after 5 decades!
A caseworker helped a patient study for their Driver’s license exam & test - and they passed! It had been the patient’s goal since 2019.
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Older Adult & Neurocognitive | |
There are three new staff members starting in September.
Patient Success Stories
One of the program’s patients was successfully able to move into their first-ever apartment with support of the 811 program.
One patient began using coping skills learned in therapy to show family members how to best support them when they are upset. As a result, the family has noticed a positive difference in the patient’s mood and ability to manage stressors.
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Critical Time Intervention
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This brand-new program began in July and already received 7 August referrals!
Patient Success
With the support of the program, one participant has been able to engage in more social activities related to their hobbies and is building the confidence to independently seek out more social engagements.
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This program is currently fully staffed!
Patient Success
The Bridge program successfully housed five individuals or families in the month of August, with a handful of pending approvals and lease signings scheduled in September.
One housing specialist secured housing for three clients in a single day!
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The team welcomed two new therapists in August, with one more to start in September.
The Mobile Crisis Response Team is fully staffed to provide 24/7 coverage. This level of coverage reduces time spent in Emergency Rooms while providing necessary services and high-quality access to crisis care to stabilize patients and expedite discharges to home.
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Beth Vachon started as the new Director, joining Marketing Coordinator Sam Shiel.
Recent community events include: National Night Out, PSU Freshman Check Day, International Overdose Awareness Vigil, and the Multicultural Festival.
Development & PR has planned the online auction, which is approaching, and donations are needed!
Money raised so far this fiscal year (from July1st – August 31st) is $18,306.
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With support from the Greater Lakes Region Children’s Auction, 8 therapists have completed Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR). EMDR enables children to heal from symptoms and emotional distress due to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs).
With the support of Granite United Way, the Team hosted a full-day Wellness Celebration - attended by 33 children and 16 staff, all interacting & incorporating new activities, while addressing treatment goals.
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Mental Health: In the News | |
$2 Million Awarded to Local Recovery Centers to Reduce SUD Mortality in Belknap County | Lakes Region Mental Health Center’s Chief Operations Officer Christine Alvarez & Governor Chris Sununu spoke at Kathy Ireland® Recovery Center's 1-Year Anniversary Celebration to talk about the $2 million Health Resources and Service Administration grant to reduce the morbidity and mortality of substance use disorders in Belknap County. LRMHC is a partner for this grant. | | | |
Student Who Suffered Panic Attacks Helped Pass a Law to Get Kids Mental Health Days | "Sometimes we all just need a break. That is something Hailey Hardcastle learned in kindergarten, when anxiety would at times overwhelm her." | | | |
From Our CEO: Maggie Pritchard | |
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Opinion: Next DHHS commissioner needs to keep the focus, faith
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"Maggie Pritchard is president of the NH Community Behavioral Health Association and Chief Executive Officer of Lakes Region Mental Health Center. The NH Community Behavioral Health Association, representing the state's ten community mental health centers, joins with our mental health and health care partners in recognizing Lori Shibinette for her service as commissioner of the Department of Health and Human Services ."
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Health & Wellness: Through Nutrition | | |
Acorn Squash w/ Brown Rice & Turkey Sausage | |
Ingredients (yields 4 servings)
- 2 acorn squash (about 2 1/2 pounds)
- 1 tbsp. olive oil
- 1/2 lb. sweet or hot Italian turkey or chicken sausage
- 1 small onion
- 1 medium red pepper
- Salt and ground black pepper
- 1 package precooked whole-grain brown rice (scant 2 cups)
- 2 tbsp. chopped fresh parsley leaves
*Tools needed include a 15 1/2" by 10 1/2" pan, tin foil, a nonstick, 12-inch skillet, & slotted spoon
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Directions
- Cut acorn squash into halves.
- Lightly grease microwave-safe large plate; then place squash halves, cut sides down, on plate (it's OK if halves overlap slightly).
- Cook squash in microwave oven on High 8 to 9 minutes or until fork-tender; set aside until cool enough to handle.
- Meanwhile, preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- Line a 15 1/2" by 10 1/2" pan with foil.
- In nonstick, 12-inch skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat until hot. Add sausage and cook until browned, breaking up sausage with side of spoon. With slotted spoon, transfer sausage to large bowl.
- To same skillet, add onion, red pepper, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and cook over medium heat 6-8 min. or until lightly browned and tender, stirring occasionally; add to sausage in bowl.
- With spoon, scoop out squash from the acorn squash halves, leaving a 1/4-inch-thick shell.
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Add scooped-out squash to bowl with sausage; stir in rice (it is not necessary to heat rice as label directs) and parsley until combined.
- Spoon sausage mixture into squash shells; place in prepared pan. Bake 20 minutes or until heated through.
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How Does it Work?
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AmazonSmile is a simple way for you to support LRMHC every time you shop, at no cost to you
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When you shop with AmazonSmile, you’ll find the same experience as Amazon.com, with the added benefit that AmazonSmile will donate 0.5% of your eligible purchases to LRMHC.
*For more information, here are some more FAQs.
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