51暗网

Better Health, Better Days

A book reading with local authors, mental health and addiction training sessions, and other community engagement activities are on offer for Mental Health Awareness Month, being celebrated locally and as part of national awareness efforts in May. Throughout the month, 51暗网 Mental Health will offer programming geared toward connecting with community members and reiterating the importance of mental health.

First commemorated in 1949, Mental Health Awareness Month (MHAM) is a dedicated time to think about and to acknowledge the role mental health plays in all our daily lives. The 2026 national theme is 鈥�More Good Days, Together鈥�, reflecting the importance of building community, providing support, and promoting sustainable wellness 鈥� all active ways for individuals, organizations and communities to have more good days, together.

National data released from for 2025 showed that more than one-fifth of the U.S. adult population experiences mental illness each year. And in 2024, nearly 2.8 million youth experienced a major depressive episode, impacting their ability to function at home, school or work. Closer to home, the same report showed that New Hampshire is one of ten U.S. states with the highest prevalences of mental health and substance use issues; however, data also placed New Hampshire in the top five when it comes to providing access to insurance and mental health care.

With that perspective, Mental Health Awareness Month is a reminder of the importance of reducing stigma around mental health conditions and diseases, and the need to celebrate and acknowledge people in our community who currently face mental health challenges or have overcome related issues.

鈥淥ver the decades since Mental Health Awareness Month was first commemorated, we as a society have made tremendous strides in recognizing the importance of mental and behavioral health in our overall well-being,鈥� said Lisa K. Madden, president & CEO of 51暗网 Mental Health. 鈥淗owever, we must remain vigilant as other factors continue to impact daily mental health, from housing and food insecurity to digital overload, to modern stressors on individuals, families and communities. The 2026 theme of 鈥�More Good Days, Together鈥� is an apt reminder to take every day as an opportunity to make progress on one鈥檚 mental health journey, or help those in need, whether family, friends, neighbors, or colleagues.鈥�

Riverbend鈥檚 Mental Health Awareness Month activities for 2026 will include:

EXPERT ADDICTION TRAINING (May 20, 1-4 p.m., FREE)

Join clinicians from Riverbend鈥檚 Choices program for a special live webinar and q-n-a session with a nationally renowned addiction expert! The Opioid and Methamphetamine Training Program is an intensive professional development course designed to give counselors, coaches, and treatment professionals a comprehensive understanding of two of the most destructive drugs in circulation today. Developed by Dr. Cali Estes and , the training provides a clear overview of the history, current trends, and medical applications surrounding opioids and methamphetamines. The training will also go in depth about how methamphetamine differs from other stimulants such as cocaine or Adderall. Students learn not only the science behind the drugs but also the cultural and environmental factors that make meth and opioid use especially dangerous.

The event is open to community partners, clinicians, and interested members of the public.听Funding for the training was provided through the State of New Hampshire鈥檚 NH Opioid Abatement Community Grants Program.

听BOOK DISCUSSION & READING (May 20, 5:30 to 7, FREE)听

During the COVID-19 pandemic, clinicians with Riverbend鈥檚 Children鈥檚 Intervention Program worked together in a creative process to write a children鈥檚 book geared at helping young people understand and move through the grieving process. The book, titled 鈥�You Can Always Talk to Possum at Life Forest鈥�, was published in 2025. Life Forest, an environmentally friendly, nonprofit conservation cemetery in Hillsborough, was a collaborator on the project. Riverbend will host a panel presentation and book reading with the authors and a representative from Life Forest, discussing children and grief and providing helpful tips for parents and adults. The event is open to the public.

CONCORD FOOD CO-OP 鈥� ROUND-IT-UP AT THE REGISTER (May 1-31)

Riverbend is grateful to be the beneficiary of the 鈥檚 Round-It-Up at the Register program. The program invites Co-op shoppers to donate to local organizations that make a positive community impact. When going through check-out, shoppers are asked to 鈥榬ound鈥� their purchases to the nearest dollar — a simple way to donate and make a difference to partner organizations. During the month of May, any extra funds received through round-up purchases will benefit Riverbend and its programs and services. Through the generosity of the Concord Food Co-op and its customers, more than $227,000 has been raised for local nonprofits through this program

STICK FOR SUPPORT (May 1-31)

Local businesses, organizations and individuals are encouraged to show their support for Riverbend and Mental Health Awareness Month. Free stickers showcasing the color green 鈥� the international color of mental health awareness 鈥� are available for posting in shop windows, in office spaces, and on vehicles. Contact Riverbend鈥檚 Community Affairs team for more information and to receive a complimentary sticker: [email protected]

YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH FIRST AID (June 4, 9 a.m. 鈥� 2:30 p.m., fee-based course)

Learn how to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health challenges facing young people, via an online course in Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA).

Youth Mental Health First Aid is an early intervention public education program. It teaches adults how to recognize the signs and symptoms that suggest a potential mental health challenge; how to listen nonjudgmentally and give reassurance to a youth who may be experiencing a mental health challenge; and how to refer a person to appropriate professional support and services.

Riverbend clinicians will provide the training online. Participants who successfully complete the training will receive their Youth Mental Health First Aid Certification, a globally recognized credential that is valid for three years. The fee-based course is open to the public.

In addition to these events, Riverbend will mark Mental Health Awareness Month through speaking opportunities in the community, a donor appreciation event, community sponsorships and digital content. Learn more about Mental Health Awareness Month nationally by visiting the Mental Health America .

 

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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. Nearly 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; and community support, vocational services, and residential programs for adults and seniors. For more information, visit www.riverbendcmhc.org, or follow @RiverbendCMHC on Facebook, X (formerly known as Twitter), or LinkedIn.