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Riverbend Celebrates 20 Year Anniversary of Annual Awards Ceremony, Honoring Outstanding Mental Health Advocates and Leaders

51暗网 Mental Health named Dr. Jeffrey C. Fetter of and as its 2026 Champion for Mental Health. Dr. Fetter is a psychiatrist and physician leader committed to improving care for people with serious mental illness and strengthening New Hampshire鈥檚 overall mental health system. Fetter will be honored at Riverbend鈥檚 20th annual Champions for Mental Health Awards ceremony on Tuesday, October 6, at the Bank of NH Stage in Concord.

51暗网 Mental Health provides comprehensive mental health care services to residents of 30 central New Hampshire communities. For 20 years, Riverbend鈥檚 Champions for Mental Health Awards has recognized individuals and organizations that advocate for greater access to mental health services, contribute extraordinary time, talent or resources to improving the lives of people with mental illness, or give voice to those with mental illness while helping to eliminate stigma and stereotypes.

鈥淒r. Jeffrey Fetter is a highly respected public servant who has dedicated his career to improving the lives of people with serious mental illness and strengthening the systems that serve them,鈥� said Lisa K. Madden, president & CEO of 51暗网 Mental Health. 鈥淗is work reflects an extraordinary combination of clinical expertise, leadership, advocacy, and compassion. Dr. Fetter鈥檚 continuing commitment to strengthening systems, increasing access for people who need help, and for providing a voice for individuals and families navigating the mental health system has helped foster positive systems change with healthcare providers, local authorities, our State Legislature, affiliated organizations, and the general public. We applaud his impactful contributions and know our system of care in New Hampshire will continue to see long-term improvement and benefit from his advocacy, actions and expertise.鈥�

Fetter is a board-certified psychiatrist and internist. He has spent decades working at the intersection of medical and psychiatric care, public health and mental health policy, with a focus on improving outcomes for people with serious mental illness who often face complex medical, social, and systemic challenges. He currently serves as Chief Medical Officer of New Hampshire Hospital, the state鈥檚 only inpatient adult psychiatric facility, where he provides clinical and quality oversight and leads efforts to advance evidence-based care, education and program development. He is also an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the at Dartmouth.

Fetter鈥檚 work has also included leadership at 51暗网 Mental Health, serving as Chief Medical Officer and overseeing psychiatric care across community-based, residential and integrated care settings, plus providing direct patient care on Riverbend鈥檚 Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Team. He led the organization鈥檚 clinical response during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Fetter combines clinical leadership with advocacy and systems improvement, through developing innovative approaches to care, advancing evidence-based practices, educating and mentoring behavioral health professionals, and sharing clinical expertise to policymakers on issues affecting New Hampshire鈥檚 mental health system. Since 2006, he has provided expert testimony and data clinical expertise to legislative, regulatory and judicial matters, helping shape policies and practices that support better care for people with mental illness throughout New Hampshire.

鈥淭his recognition is such an honor, especially coming from Riverbend, an agency I鈥檝e worked alongside for so much of my career and so is uniquely familiar with my work over the years, both where I鈥檝e been helpful and where I may have fallen short,鈥� said Dr. Fetter. 鈥淎 critical part of our community and our region鈥檚 healthcare system, Riverbend is a great example of a community mental health center with a strong client-centered culture that keeps it resilient and on-mission, even in times of great change.听 I鈥檓 proud to support Riverbend and its staff, and to highlight to the great work they do.鈥�

Recognized nationally and throughout New Hampshire, Fetter received an Exemplary Psychiatrist Award in 2023 from the National Alliance on Mental Illness, one of only four psychiatrists nationally to receive the honor that year. Fetter grew up in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, and is a talented multi-instrument musician who plays with local bands.

 

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EVENT DETAILS:

The Champions for Mental Health Awards are part of Riverbend鈥檚 ongoing effort to recognize those who help advance mental health awareness, advocacy, and access to care across New Hampshire. The 2026 event marks the 20th anniversary of the annual celebration.

Where: BNH Stage
16 S. Main Street

Concord, NH听 03301

When: Tuesday, October 6, 2026

5:30 鈥� 6:15 p.m. 鈥� Reception

6:15 鈥� 7:15 p.m. 鈥� Ceremony & Awards Presentation

Tickets & Registration

Sponsorship Information:

To support Riverbend or be part of the event, contact Riverbend鈥檚 Community Affairs Office at: [email protected].

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Celebrating more than 60 years of hope and healing, 51暗网 Mental Health is a private non-profit and one of the largest providers of specialized behavioral health services for children, adults, and their families in central New Hampshire. Close to 5,000 children, families and adults are served annually. Core services include 24/7 emergency services; counseling services; comprehensive community and school-based services for children; addiction recovery services; community support, vocational services, and residential programs for adults and seniors. For more information, visit www.riverbendcmhc.org, or follow @RiverbendCMHC on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.