July 22, 2024

From the Corner Office with CEO Maggie Pritchard

The summer months remind us of the beauty of this place we are fortunate enough to live and work in. When I share where I work with people outside the area, I often hear stories of summers spent with grandparents, other family members, and friends on one of our gorgeous lakes. Many consider the Lakes Region “A Place to Go”.

Unfortunately, finding a place to go can be a challenge for people who come to Lakes Region Mental Health for help. Our full-time outreach staff connect the growing population of unhoused individuals with much needed services. Our residential specialists help folks learn the skills to successfully live with others with the goal of living independently one day. Our residential staff are “building bridges” for housing opportunities by securing subsidies and collaborating with landlords and/or developers to make the most of such a scarce resource – affordable housing.

All of the above foreshadows the announcement of our soon-to-be program called, and you guessed it, “A Place to Go”. Launching later this summer, “A Place to Go” is a small cottage on the grounds of Lakes Region Mental Health’s Plymouth campus. It will be a statewide resource for individuals who need less than 24 hours to rest, get help, and align with individualized supports. This program is part of our work with the NH Department of Health and Human Services Mission Zero plan to give people an alternative to emergency room stays or inpatient hospitalization.

As you go about your daily routines, I hope everyone remembers the importance of taking time for yourself and practicing self-care. The daily stress we all experience requires us to pay attention to our needs, and hopefully each of you have your own “Place to Go” that ensures your ability to keep on, keep giving, and keep kind!

May you all enjoy what summer in New England is meant for...

Maggie

Bay Street Apartments Update

The future site of Bay Street Apartments in Laconia will offer 12 efficiency units of supportive housing in partnership with Lakes Region Community Developers.

The 2 structures on the site have been demolished and work is underway to ready the site for construction, scheduled to take 9 months.

Thank you to the NH Department of Business & Economic Affairs for awarding Invest NH demolition funds to the City of Laconia for this project. The city's support is greatly appreciated in cleaning up this site to make way for new affordable housing.

VOTE: Best Way to Beat the Heat

Program Updates

LRMHC is looking to fill open positions in Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) and for A Place to Go: Job Openings at Lakes Region Mental Health Center

Opening soon in Plymouth: "A Place to Go" is a short-term, peer-run stabilization center for people experiencing a mental health crisis that do not require inpatient care. It will offer up to 23 hours of support and supervision, and coordination to other community resources, as an alternative to hospitalization.

Child & Family

School-based therapists successfully finished the school year and are transitioning back to the office. Staff are providing support to the Boys & Girls Club and Circle Camp this summer with support from the NH Department of Education.

Neurological Treatment & Service Access

Neuro Team has been collaborating on creative solutions to meet patient needs, despite barriers due to lack of transportation and affordable housing, and long wait times for benefits.

Residential Services

Passage House is at full capacity. Staff are looking forward to getting residents out in the community this summer with a variety of activities.

Substance Use Disorder Treatment

LRMHC recently added Medically Assisted Treatment (MAT), which continues to grow with new patients.

Supported Employment

Completed a Fidelity audit in June, and the results are IN! SE received the highest rating in years! Thanks to all who were interviewed and supported patients in connecting with auditors.

Patient Success Story:

A teen who has received services for some time has shown success in alleviating the symptoms of chronic depression and debilitating anxiety by engaging in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing Therapy (EMDR). Through symptom reduction, they have been able to identify the strength of their own resilience, recognize maladaptive patterns, and challenge negative thoughts. This has allowed for newfound confidence, insight into their strengths and agency, and an “I CAN do this” attitude. They have even secured a part-time job! With EMDR, Functional Supports (FSS), and positive family support, this patient has made great strides.

Managing mental health should be about more than mind

Clinicians often default to treating mental health conditions with a variety of medication. This approach, however, largely ignores the role of environment, lifestyle, and social factors. Mental Health professionals must work toward a more holistic management picture, researchers argue in a new article.

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