NAMI NH ENews | April 8, 2025 | | |
Advocacy Needed on the State Budget!
Drastic funding cuts for NH’s mental health system are part of the budget passed by the House Finance Committee. These cuts threaten progress on the Mission Zero initiative to eliminate emergency department boarding and will deeply harm mental health in the Granite State.
The full House budget vote is on Thursday, April 10th. It is critical to contact your representatives NOW and ask them to VOTE ITL (Inexpedient to Legislate) on the budget passed by House Finance.
We need lawmakers to prioritize mental health in the state budget, including:
- End Emergency Department Boarding
Oppose funding cuts to crisis stabilization, transitional housing, and landlord
incentives for people being discharged from NH Hospital.
- Sustain Investment in the 10-Year Mental Health Plan
Reverse drastic funding cuts to the mental health system and crisis services.
Stop proposed Medicaid rate cuts.
Eliminate proposed monthly premiums and increased co-pays.
Your story is powerful – please consider personalizing this Sample Email to share why supporting mental health is important to you and your family:
On April 10th, please vote ITL on the state budget as passed by the House Finance Committee!
I know this budget will hurt families like mine. Please support mental health, protect Medicaid, and end emergency department boarding by voting ITL on the state budget as passed by the House Finance Committee.
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Public Policy Alerts
Check out the latest Public Policy Alert (4/4/25) to find critical information on the state budget, share your story, and take action to protect Medicaid and SAMHSA funding at the federal level.
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New NAMI-Ipsos Poll Shows Strong Support for Medicaid
NAMI released a new poll last week that shows Americans are overwhelmingly opposed to slashing funding for Medicaid. This new research finds that seven in ten Americans, including a majority across party lines, disagree that Medicaid funding should be cut to reduce government spending, and nearly eight in 10 (78%) believe that Medicaid saves lives by helping people access mental health care. The poll also highlights widespread support for Medicaid, which 84% of Americans agree is an essential program for providing health care to vulnerable populations – with support high across the political spectrum.
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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 stakeholders on shared goals to improve the lives of individuals affected by mental illness and suicide.
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Yesterday, 16 children and 13 adults were boarding in emergency departments for inpatient psychiatric beds – 11 adults under an Involuntary Emergency Admission and 2 with other legal statuses. Zero adults were waiting in a correctional facility for inpatient psychiatric care.
Click here for ED Boarding Resources.
Do you have a child waiting in the ED for mental health services? Click here for free support.
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April 2025’s Volunteer of the Month is Tim Weeks!
Tim is an amazing mental health advocate who first reached out to NAMI NH in 2022 to learn how to share his story. He has been actively volunteering with NAMI NH for about 18 months as a very effective and inspiring In Our Own Voice presenter. He has shared his story with college students, peers, parents, and caregivers, as well as at the NH Behavioral Health Summit.
Most recently, Tim has been working with the Public Policy team to communicate to state legislators how vitally important it is to continue to fund and support Medicaid and mental health services in NH. Tim is living proof that a solid mental health system saves lives. We are grateful for Tim’s passion, courage, and commitment to making a difference in the Granite State!
If you have been impacted by a NAMI NH volunteer, please consider nominating them for Volunteer of the Month by clicking here.
To learn about volunteering with NAMI NH, click here.
| | | | NAMICon is where hundreds of dynamic and important voices unite to improve mental health for all through awareness, education, and advocacy. It’s a space where personal journeys are celebrated, positive change takes root, and new connections foster support, hope, and healing. NAMICon 2025 will be held virtually June 10 — 13. Join hundreds of passionate voices from around the world to elevate mental health! | | HUGE thanks to the participants of our recent Connect Postvention training and planning sessions in Kentucky! This group was extraordinarily dedicated, and through their work, their community is now equipped with the action plans and confidence to deal with crises and move forward towards healing and safety in their community. | | |
Congratulations to NAMI NH's Elaine de Mello on being recognized as Social Worker of the Year by NASW NH!
For decades, Elaine has served as a leader in suicide prevention locally, nationally, and internationally.
NAMI NH is exceedingly grateful for Elaine’s steadfast dedication to the field of suicide prevention.
Congratulations, Elaine!
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Suicide Prevention Resources
Free and confidential support is available 24/7 – please don't hesitate to reach out for yourself, or for someone you know. You are not alone.
| | Recordings are now available for the 2025 NAMI NH Annual Conference! | |
You Are #NotAlone – Connect with Support
Life is hard for so many folks right now – but you are not alone. NAMI NH offers several free options for support and connection – click the links below to learn more. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, 24/7 help is available.
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This Is My Brave - Tickets Available!
NAMI NH is thrilled to bring This Is My Brave back to the NH on Thursday, May 15th, 2025, at the Bank of NH Stage in Concord!
You can support This Is My Brave by:
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Thank You to Our Brave Sponsors!
Thank you to the generous businesses and organizations who are supporting our 2025 show! Sponsorship opportunities are still available. Click here or contact Kristen Welch, CFRE, Director of Development for more information.
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Registration is now OPEN for the 2025 Highs & Lows Tour to benefit NAMI New Hampshire, scheduled for Saturday, August 9th at Plymouth Regional High School.
The Highs & Lows Tour is more than just a ride—it's a movement for mental health awareness, suicide prevention, resilience, and community.
Join us in making a difference—register, donate, or spread the word.
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We’re so excited to announce that we’re featured in Target Circle! Vote for us in the Target app to direct Target funds that support our work. Here’s how:
- Step 1: Choose ‘My Target’ in the Target app or ‘Account’ on Target.com
- Step 2: Tap ‘Cast votes’
- Step 3: Find us & vote
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Over four decades ago, our courageous founders embarked on a mission of hope, sharing their families’ stories to help others who were hurting and felt alone. Today, we carry on their legacy by fostering the lifesaving and compassionate conversations that began around Peggy Straw’s kitchen table. Together, with your support, we help folks hold onto hope when they need it most.
When someone is struggling, it takes courage to reach out for help. It takes courage to face the challenges and stigma associated with mental illness and suicide. And it takes courage to build a world where mental health is prioritized as a fundamental human right.
You, our NAMI New Hampshire Family, embody this courage. You share your deeply personal stories with folks attending our support groups and education programs, letting them know they are not alone. You are our voice at the State House, testifying in front of legislators to ensure mental health is a priority and all Granite Staters are seen, heard, and valued. You spark honest and compassionate conversations that challenge stigma and discrimination.
Emily, who found hope and a caring community at NAMI New Hampshire, shares her inspiring journey:
“It might seem like there’s nothing that will help and it won’t get better. But if you just keep fighting, there is so much support and so many people who you don’t even know that care about you out there and that are willing to help you in any way that they can. Just keep fighting and it will slowly get better.”
We cannot continue our fearless fight without your support. Your gift to NAMI New Hampshire will provide the resources to sustain our free support, education, and advocacy programs relied upon by over 50,000 individuals and families affected by mental illness and suicide each year.
When you give to NAMI New Hampshire, you are honoring our brave past and investing in our bold future. Because of you, Granite Staters affected by mental illness and suicide will find help, hope and healing.
Thank you for your unwavering support. Hope starts with you.
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Have you ever considered a monthly gift to NAMI New Hampshire? Giving monthly has several benefits for you, including:
Set it and forget it
Monthly donations are automatic. That means once you sign up, you won’t have to worry about remembering to support NAMI New Hampshire. Simply indicate on the donation form you want your gift to be monthly, enter your credit card information once, and you’re all set — we’ll keep you posted on the good work we’re doing with your gift!
Join an exclusive community
Monthly donors are our biggest fans, and we appreciate you! We’ll keep you posted throughout the year with donor impact updates, personal outreach, and maybe a special surprise or two to express our gratitude.
As a monthly donor, you are part of one of the most important communities in our organization – the Heroes of Hope Society. Your gift helps us sustain programs and services for Granite Staters affected by mental illness and suicide throughout the year.
Make a little go a long way
No matter the amount, monthly donations make a difference. Making a smaller donation that occurs throughout the year is generally more manageable for many donors, and has a powerful, lasting impact.
Spreading out your donation may even allow you to contribute more than you originally thought. For example, spending $400 all at once might be too much for your monthly budget, but if donating $40 every month is doable, you’ll actually donate $480 by the end of the year! With NAMI NH celebrating its 40th Anniversary in 2022, this is the perfect time to make that gift!
Visit our donation form and set up your monthly gift today!
Please contact Kristen Welch, CFRE, Director of Development, at kwelch@NAMINH.org or 603-225-5359 x350 with any questions.
Thank you for your steadfast and generous support of Granite Staters affected by mental illness and suicide. Hope starts with you.
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Give a gift of stock to NAMI New Hampshire
Many donors prefer to make gifts of appreciated stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or exchange traded funds because these gifts can have a transformational impact on the mission of NAMI New Hampshire while maximizing potential tax benefits for you, the donor, by avoiding paying tax on capital gains.
To make a gift of stock to NAMI New Hampshire, access our transfer information here or contact Kristen Welch, CFRE, Director of Development at kwelch@NAMINH.org or (603) 225-5359 x350.
Support NAMI New Hampshire through your IRA
If you are over 70.5, giving from your IRA helps you reduce your taxable income — and for those over 72 who must take a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD), an IRA gift is a simple way to fulfill it while supporting NAMI New Hampshire’s mission.
For more information on giving from your IRA, contact Kristen Welch, CFRE, Director of Development, at kwelch@NAMINH.org or (603) 225-5359 x350.
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Thank you to Johnson & Johnson for demonstrating their steadfast support of Granite Staters affected by mental illness and suicide by renewing their corporate sponsorship for 2025. | |  | |
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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Thursday, April 17th, 11 am – Noon
Panelists include NAMI NH Deputy Director Liz Hodgkins!
| | | | | April 17 | 5:30pm | Stratham Fire Station | | | | | |
