Champions – 51°µĶų Mental Health Fri, 28 Aug 2026 20:00:31 +0000 en-US hourly 1 /wp-content/uploads/2019/01/cropped-Riverbend-Favicon-32x32.png Champions – 51°µĶų Mental Health 32 32 155884628 Dr. Jeffrey Fetter Named 2026 Champion for Mental Health /2026-champion-for-mental-health/ Fri, 28 Aug 2026 20:00:31 +0000 /?p=13710 Champion Jeffrey Fetter Ģż

 

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

51°µĶų 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’s overall mental health system. Fetter will be honored at Riverbend’s 20th annual Champions for Mental Health Awards ceremony on Tuesday, October 6, at the Bank of NH Stage in Concord.

51°µĶų Mental Health provides comprehensive mental health care services to residents of 30 central New Hampshire communities. For 20 years, Riverbend’s 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.

ā€œDr. 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,ā€ said Lisa K. Madden, president & CEO of 51°µĶų Mental Health. ā€œHis work reflects an extraordinary combination of clinical expertise, leadership, advocacy, and compassion. Dr. Fetter’s 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.ā€

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’s 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’s work has also included leadership at 51°µĶų 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’s Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Team. He led the organization’s 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’s 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.

ā€œThis recognition is such an honor, especially coming from Riverbend, an agency I’ve worked alongside for so much of my career and so is uniquely familiar with my work over the years, both where I’ve been helpful and where I may have fallen short,ā€ said Dr. Fetter. ā€œA critical part of our community and our region’s 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.Ģż I’m proud to support Riverbend and its staff, and to highlight to the great work they do.ā€

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’s 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, NHĢż 03301

When: Tuesday, October 6, 2026

5:30 – 6:15 p.m. – Reception

6:15 – 7:15 p.m. – Ceremony & Awards Presentation

Tickets & Registration

Sponsorship Information:

To support Riverbend or be part of the event, contact Riverbend’s Community Affairs Office at: development@riverbendcmhc.org.

Ģż

Celebrating more than 60 years of hope and healing, 51°µĶų 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 , or follow @RiverbendCMHC on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.

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Champions for Mental Health Awards – 2026 /event/champions-for-mental-health-awards-2026/ Tue, 06 Oct 2026 21:30:00 +0000 /?post_type=tribe_events&p=13666 Join us on Tuesday, October 6, for the 20th annual Champions for Mental Health awards ceremony!

Each year, 51°µĶų Mental Health recognizes individuals or organizations in central New Hampshire who advocate for greater access to mental health services; contribute extraordinary time, talent or treasure to improve the lives of people with mental illness; or publicly give voice to those with mental illness, helping eliminate the stigma and stereotypes that can surround the disease.

For this year’s ceremony, Riverbend is honoring Jeffrey C. Fetter, MD.

Dr. Fetter has dedicated his career to improving the lives of individuals living with severe mental illness through compassionate care, innovation, advocacy, and leadership. As Chief Medical Officer at New Hampshire Hospital and Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, he has advanced evidence-based practices, strengthened the behavioral health workforce through education and mentorship, and championed system improvements that help ensure some of New Hampshire’s most vulnerable residents receive high-quality mental health care. His commitment to transforming mental health services across the state reflects the values celebrated through our Champions for Mental Health Awards.

Community members, mental health advocates, local businesses, neighbors and friends will gather together at this year’s event ceremony to honor Dr. Fetter and celebrate progress and awareness of the role mental health plays in our daily lives.

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2026 Champions Awards: Nominations Open! /2026-champions-awards-nominations-open/ Mon, 13 Apr 2026 20:53:42 +0000 /?p=13569 Call for Nominations

20th Annual Champions for Mental Health Awards

51°µĶų Mental Health

 

Champions winners onstage with Riverbend staff at the 2025Ģżawards ceremony

This year, Riverbend is celebrating 20 years of honoring community changemakers through its Champions for Mental Health Awards.

For Riverbend, aĢżChampion for Mental HealthĢżis an individual who:
• Advocates for greater access to mental health services;
• Contributes extraordinary time, talent or treasure to improving the lives of people with mental illness; and/or
• Publicly gives voice to those with mental illness, helping eliminate the stigma and stereotypes that surround the disease.

Past champions have expanded training opportunities, implemented programs, provided essential clinical services, worked with legislative or community partners to change policy, and shared stories that grew recognition of the importance of mental health.

Honor those making a difference in the mental health of our local communities – alleviating hardships, serving as an ally, educating or raising awareness, or helping those with addictions or mental illnesses. Winners are honored each fall at Riverbend’sĢżChampions for Mental HealthĢżawards ceremony, where members of the public, business leaders, public officials and other interested community members come together in an evening of celebration. This year’s event will be held Tuesday, October 6 at the Bank of NH Stage in Concord.Ģż

Previous winners include:

  • John Barthelmes, former Colonel, New Hampshire State Police
  • The Hon. John Broderick, Jr., former Chief Justice of the New Hampshire Supreme Court
  • John and David Constant, Constantly Pizza (Concord)
  • Dr. Dominic Geffken, Concord Hospital Family Health Center
  • Gretchen Grappone, LICSW, training consultant and clinician
  • Lucy C. Hodder, Professor of Law
  • Congresswoman Ann McLane Kuster
  • Brielle Paquette, advocate for children’s mental health
  • Susan Paschell, The Dupont Group
  • Robert L. Quinn, Commissioner of Safety

And many, many more!

Make your nomination today.
The deadline for nominations is Friday, June 12, 2026.Ģż
(NOTE: Current Riverbend Employees and Board members are NOT ELIGIBLE for the award. Champions must live or have spent significant time working on the issue of mental health in Merrimack County or in Riverbend’s 30-community catchment area).

Questions? Contact:Ģżdevelopment@riverbendcmhc.org

 

Call for Nominations

  • for consideration as a 2026 Champion for Mental Health.
  • If nominating an organization, please list the President/CEO

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Champions for Mental Health – 2025 Winners /champions-for-mental-health-2025-winners/ Mon, 18 Aug 2025 16:35:08 +0000 /?p=13005 Dominic Geffken and Susan Paschell Named 2025 Champions for Mental Health

 

– Riverbend’s 19th Annual Awards Ceremony Honors Outstanding Leaders in Clinical Practice and Community Education –Ģż

 

 

From health clinics to the State House, Dr. Dominic Geffken and Susan Paschell are being honored for their significant efforts to support the mental health system in New Hampshire. The two will formally receive their awards at the upcoming Champions for Mental Health gala event October 7 in Concord, New Hampshire.

51°µĶų Mental Health provides comprehensive mental health care services to residents of 30 central New Hampshire communities. Through its annual awards ceremony, Riverbend recognizes individuals or organizations that advocate for greater access to mental health services; contribute extraordinary time, talent or treasure to improve the lives of people with mental illness; or publicly give voice to those with mental illness, helping eliminate the stigma and stereotypes that can surround the disease.

ā€œAs our industry and overall system of care continue to face rapid evolution and external challenges, our annual Champions event reminds the community each year of the value our services and staff provide in changing lives and improving our overall community health,ā€ said Lisa K. Madden, President & CEO of 51°µĶų Mental Health.

ā€œThis year’s champions come from different worlds – clinical practice and public affairs – but each represent the types of essential skills and expertise we value as community partners and that our entire health system values in support of mental health education and advocacy,ā€ Madden explained. ā€œThe work Dr. Dominic Geffken performs in service to the homeless population and to patients with opioid use disorders reinforces the importance of reaching out and helping people where they are, with what they need. In Susan Paschell, we have a champion who has educated not only our partners in community mental health, but other organizations as well as to how to best approach the legislative process, engage with lawmakers effectively and bring more voices into the public policy arena. It will be a distinct pleasure to honor both Dominic and Susan at our event and share our gratitude for their efforts.ā€

 

Dr. Dominic Geffken

DOMINIC GEFFKEN, MD, MPH

Dominic Geffken is the Program Director of the NH Dartmouth Family Medicine Residency (NHDFMR), a community-based program at Concord Hospital that trains and educates future family physicians to provide primary care to patients in outpatient and inpatient settings. While teaching important skills, the program also seeks to provide health care to underserved populations needing essential primary care at the Concord Hospital Family Health Center (CHFHC).

More than a decade ago, Dr. Geffken partnered with the Concord Coalition to End 51°µĶųlessness to start a program that delivers primary care services specifically to the unhoused population in Concord, which includes clients with mental illness.

Called the ā€˜Downtown Clinic’, this program allows family medicine faculty and resident physicians, behavioral health clinicians, nurses and medical assistants to deliver physical and mental health care to clients at the 51°µĶųless Resource Center in Concord. Approximately 120 patients per year are seen at this outreach clinic and NHDFMR needs assessment data suggests that the majority of people struggling with chronic homelessness in Concord are patients of the Concord Hospital Family Health Center.

In addition, beginning in 2015, Dr. Geffken was the first family medicine clinician at the Concord Hospital Family Health Center to provide medication treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD). The model he created, in collaboration with a team of behavioral health clinicians and nurses, grew throughout the residency program and now, future family physicians and behavioral health clinicians learn this interdisciplinary model of care as part of their training. Beyond his workplace, Dr. Geffken, a Concord resident, shares his medical expertise with the community through volunteering his personal time at local shelters and vaccine clinics.

ā€œAs a family physician, my goal is to provide whole person care, delivering health care that treats both the body and the mind,ā€ said Geffken. ā€œI also believe that primary health care delivery should not be confined to the walls of a traditional clinic. Meeting and treating people physically and emotionally allows us, as healthcare workers, to manage medical issues in their initial stages and prevent them from escalating into a devastating and costly crisis. I am honored to accept this award, and I accept it on behalf of all members of the NH Dartmouth Family Medicine Residency, Concord Hospital Family Health Center and Concord Hospital who have supported this work over the years.ā€

 

Susan Paschell

SUSAN PASCHELL

For more than 40 years, Susan Paschell’s work in the public policy arena has helped individuals and groups navigate the legislative system and advance community-focused causes and missions. Spanning both New Hampshire and Maine, Susan has worked in partnership with numerous business and non-profit clients to help them share their stories, advocate effectively with legislators, and illuminate issues of importance.

Paschell’s career includes work as a lobbyist and legislative specialist with the government affairs division of a multi-disciplinary law firm, and – since 2007 – as a senior associate for the Concord, New Hampshire-based Dupont Group. Through the latter, Susan collaborates with the ten community mental health centers in New Hampshire to highlight issues of importance for mental health clients, the mental health workforce and system sustainability. Educating lawmakers on issues relating to protecting Medicaid, the importance of residential housing for the mentally ill, and preserving access to services are some recent efforts. Susan’s work involves everything from prepping ordinary citizens on how to prepare for State House testimony, to crafting speeches, opinion pieces and other written communications to share data and real-life stories around key issues before the State Legislature. In concert with her colleagues, Susan works with everyone from top executives to citizens who have never approached a lawmaker, to educate people on how state government works and how to best advocate for their own or community interests.

A Bow resident with a master’s degree from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education, Susan began her career as a public-school teacher, coordinating special education services and teaching children with disabilities in the Henniker school system. She also spent nearly a decade as a senior researcher in the non-partisan Committee Research Office of the NH House of Representatives, where she prepared analyses of legislation and drafted amendments, testimony and reports for key House committees.

ā€œIn a democratic society, understanding how state government works and how to support our citizens is a passion and responsibility I take seriously,ā€ said Paschell. “Whether in Concord or in Augusta, to help people navigate the rules and customs of state government and get their voices heard has propelled me every day of my working life for decades. I am honored to accept this award, an award I share with my wonderful colleagues from The Dupont Group who I collaborate with every day on topics and issues important to our state.ā€

Riverbend will honor Geffken and Paschell at its upcoming Champions for Mental Health event on Tuesday, October 7 at the Bank of NH Stage in Concord. The annual ceremony shines a light on the importance of mental health and broadens community engagement around supporting Riverbend and the entire community mental health system in New Hampshire.

EVENT DETAILS:

CHAMPIONS FOR MENTAL HEALTH

Where: Bank of NH Stage
16 S. Main Street

Concord, NHĢż 03301

When: Tuesday, October 7, 2025

5:30 – 6 p.m. – Reception

6 – 7 p.m. – Ceremony & Awards Presentation

Tickets & Registration

Sponsorship Information:

To support Riverbend or be part of the event, contact Riverbend’s Community Affairs Office at: development@riverbendcmhc.org.

Ģż

###

 

Celebrating 60 years of hope and healing, 51°µĶų 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 6,000 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 , or follow @RiverbendCMHC on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.

 

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Champions for Mental Health – 2025 /event/champions-for-mental-health-2025/ Tue, 07 Oct 2025 21:30:00 +0000 /?post_type=tribe_events&p=13034 Join us on Tuesday, October 7, for the 19th annual Champions for Mental Health awards ceremony!

Each year, 51°µĶų Mental Health recognizes individuals or organizations in central New Hampshire who advocate for greater access to mental health services; contribute extraordinary time, talent or treasure to improve the lives of people with mental illness; or publicly give voice to those with mental illness, helping eliminate the stigma and stereotypes that can surround the disease.

For this year’s ceremony, Riverbend is honoring Dr. Dominic Geffken and Ms. Susan Paschell.

Dr. Dominic Geffken, MD, MPH, is the Program Director of the NH Dartmouth Family Medicine Residency, a community-based program at Concord Hospital that trains and educates future family physicians. Dr. Geffken partnered with the Concord Coalition to End 51°µĶųlessness to start a program that delivers primary care services specifically to the unhoused population in Concord, which includes clients with mental illness. In addition, Dr. Geffken was the first family medicine clinician at the Concord Hospital Family Health Center to provide medication treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD).

Susan Paschell helps individuals and groups navigate the legislative system and advance community-focused causes and missions. For more than 40 years, her work as a lobbyist and legislative specialist includes educating lawmakers on key issues impacting the community mental health system. In concert with her colleagues at The Dupont Group, Susan works with everyone from top executives to citizens who have never approached a lawmaker, to educate people on how state government works and how to best advocate for their own or community interests.

Community members, mental health advocates, local businesses, neighbors and friends will gather together at this year’s event ceremony to honor these two talented leaders in clinical practice and public policy.

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2025 Champions for Mental Health – Nominations Open! /2025-champions-for-mental-health-nominations-open/ Tue, 22 Apr 2025 17:43:12 +0000 /?p=12904 Call for Nominations
19th Annual Champions for Mental Health Awards
51°µĶų Mental Health

2025 Champions ceremony staff photo
Riverbend staff and winners at the 2024 awards ceremony

Champions have expanded training opportunities, provided essential clinical services, worked with legislative or community partners to change policy, and shared stories that grew recognition of the importance of mental health.

For Riverbend, a Champion for Mental HealthĢżis an individual who:
• Advocates for greater access to mental health services;
• Contributes extraordinary time, talent or treasure to improving the lives of people with mental illness; and/or
• Publicly gives voice to those with mental illness, helping eliminate the stigma and stereotypes that surround the disease.

Honor those making a difference in the mental health of our local communities – alleviating hardships, serving as an ally, educating or raising awareness, or helping those with addictions or mental illnesses. Winners are honored each fall at Riverbend’s Champions for Mental Health awards ceremony, where members of the public, business leaders, public officials and other interested community members come together in an evening of celebration. This year’s event will be held Tuesday, October 7 at the Bank of NH Stage in Concord.Ģż

Previous winners include:

• John Barthelmes, former Colonel, New Hampshire State Police
• The Hon. John Broderick, Jr., former Chief Justice of the New Hampshire Supreme Court
• John and David Constant, Constantly Pizza (Concord)
• Gretchen Grappone, LICSW, training consultant and clinician
• Lucy C. Hodder, Professor of Law
• Congresswoman Ann McLane Kuster
• Brielle Paquette, advocate for children’s mental health
• Robert L. Quinn, Commissioner of Safety

And many more!

Make your nomination today.
The deadline for nominations is Friday, June 6, 2025.Ģż
(NOTE: Current Riverbend Employees and Board members are not eligible for the award. Champions must live or have spent significant time working on the issue of mental health in Merrimack County or in Riverbend’s 30-community catchment area).

Questions? Contact: development@riverbendcmhc.org

 

Call for Nominations

  • for consideration as a 2026 Champion for Mental Health.
  • If nominating an organization, please list the President/CEO

 

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Champions for Mental Health – 2024 Winners /champions-for-mental-health-2024-winners/ Fri, 30 Aug 2024 12:31:29 +0000 /?p=12485 Clinicians, Trainers, Educators, Mentors: Elaine de Mello and Cassie Yackley Named 2024 Champions for Mental Health

18th Annual Awards Ceremony Honors Outstanding Leaders in Mental Health

 

51°µĶų Mental Health is honoring Elaine de Mello, LICSW, and Dr. Cassie Yackley for decades of service to New Hampshire’s system of mental health care, by naming them each as a 2024 Champion for Mental Health. In addition to significant clinical work, both women have built systems, established trainings and curriculums, forged partnerships, and generously shared their knowledge and passion with current practitioners and future leaders in the mental health field.

51°µĶų Mental Health provides comprehensive mental health care services to residents of 30 central New Hampshire communities. Each year, through its Champions for Mental Health event, the organization recognizes individuals or organizations that advocate for greater access to mental health services; contribute extraordinary time, talent or treasure to improve the lives of people with mental illness; or publicly give voice to those with mental illness, helping eliminate the stigma and stereotypes that can surround the disease.

ā€œElaine de Mello and Cassie Yackley embody the finest examples of leadership and committed care that those of us working in New Hampshire’s mental health system understand is essential to helping the many people who come through our doors,ā€ said Lisa K. Madden, President & CEO of 51°µĶų Mental Health.

ā€œBeyond their important clinical care – care that has changed many individuals’ lives – their work growing the knowledge base and reinforcing best practices in our field by sharing that knowledge with others is exemplary. Through their individual professional pathways, these outstanding women have worked alongside corrections systems, schools and higher education institutions, community clinics, law enforcement, and the military, among other entities. Their contributions toward creating systems, providing specialized training, and finding better ways to integrate services has led to more sustainable programs and inspired other leaders, managers, and staff – benefiting our statewide system of care.ā€

 

Elaine de Mello, a Sanbornton resident, is the Director of Suicide Prevention Services at NAMI New Hampshire (National Alliance on Mental Illness). A licensed clinical social worker, she has served as a clinical program manager in inpatient, emergency services, and community settings since 1978, including 18 years at Lakes Region Mental Health Center. Throughout a 25-year career at NAMI NH, Elaine played a lead role in the development of the Connect Suicide Prevention and Postvention Program, a nationally recognized best practice program. For the last 20 years, de Mello has been providing training and consultation in mental health and suicide prevention to state and tribal entities, community coalitions, schools and campuses, health and behavioral health care facilities and military and paramilitary organizations throughout the US, Pacific Islands and Canada. Nationally she has assisted with Zero Suicide Academies and served as a Psychological Autopsy Investigator. She serves as a master trainer for Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (CALM) and assisted in the development of CALM Conversations. In New Hampshire, she serves as a trainer for the NH Police Standards and Training Council; spent 18 years on the faculty of Plymouth State University; and serves on the NH Suicide Fatality Review Committee and the NH Suicide Prevention Council. She has co-chaired the NH Youth Suicide Prevention Assembly since 2003. She continues to provide training and consultation around the country.

ā€œThis work is much more than a job; it’s a mission,ā€ said de Mello. ā€œI am grateful for the wisdom and support I have received from others on this profound journey, and I am continually inspired by people who persevere against all odds. You are all a gift!ā€

 

Cassie-Yackley

Dr. Cassie Yackley (she, her) is a leader in building trauma-responsive communities of care in northern New England. In a career spanning more than 30 years, Cassie has worked across multiple systems (Community Mental Health, Law Enforcement, Child Protection & Juvenile Justice, Education, Corrections, and Residential Treatment) to address the impact of traumatic exposure on children, families, and systems and to implement integrated, trauma-responsive systems of care. Cassie is a licensed psychologist, master trainer, and directs the Center for Trauma-Responsive Practice Change—a New Hampshire nonprofit dedicated to promoting a trauma-responsive system of care for children and families throughout New England. Dr. Yackley also directs the NH Child-Parent Psychotherapy Provider Network, which is, with the help of its partners, creating and increasing access to Child-Parent Psychotherapy, the only evidence-based mental health treatment for children 0-6 and their families who have been exposed to trauma available at scale in NH. Through her work with the CPP Provider Network, she has worked with early childhood state-leaders to develop an infrastructure to sustain this network of providers across a three-state area: New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Vermont.

ā€œI am grateful for this recognition of my work as a mental health provider and advocate in New Hampshire over the past twenty years,ā€ said Yackley, a resident of Bradford. ā€œI share the honor of receiving Riverbend’s Champions for Mental Health Award with so many of my colleagues and community that have partnered alongside me to make systematic changes to improve New Hampshire’s mental health system. Receiving the Champions for Mental Health Award is a major honor in and of itself for any mental health advocate. For me, it is especially meaningful. I began my career as a psychologist at Riverbend’s Children’s program and directed its doctoral internship program for several years. For my career to have come full circle and receive the Champions for Mental Health Award from Riverbend is an incredible honor,ā€ she added.

Riverbend will be honoring de Mello and Yackley at its upcoming Champions for Mental Health event on Tuesday, October 22 at the Bank of NH Stage in Concord. The annual ceremony shines a light on the importance of mental health and broadens community engagement around supporting Riverbend and the entire community mental health system in New Hampshire.

EVENT DETAILS

CHAMPIONS FOR MENTAL HEALTH

Where: Bank of NH Stage
16 S. Main Street

Concord, NHĢż 03301

When: Tuesday, October 22, 2024

5:30 – 6 p.m. – Reception

6 – 7 p.m. – Ceremony & Awards Presentation

Tickets & Registration

Sponsorship Information: To support Riverbend or be part of the event, contact Riverbend’s Community Affairs Office at: development@riverbendcmhc.org.

Ģż

###

Celebrating 60 years of hope and healing, 51°µĶų 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 6,000 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 , or follow @RiverbendCMHC on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.

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Nominations Open! Champions for Mental Health /nominations-open-champions-for-mental-health/ Fri, 26 Apr 2024 20:06:59 +0000 /?p=12336 Call for Nominations

18th Annual Champions for Mental Health Awards

51°µĶų Mental Health

 

A Champion for Mental Health is an individual who:

  • Advocates for greater access to mental health services;
  • Contributes extraordinary time, talent or treasure to improving the lives of people with mental illness; and/or
  • Publicly gives voice to those with mental illness, helping eliminate the stigma and stereotypes that surround the disease.

Previous winners include:

  • The Hon. John Broderick, Jr., former Chief Justice of the New Hampshire Supreme Court
  • Robert L. Quinn, Commissioner of Safety
  • Congresswoman Ann McLane Kuster
  • Gretchen Grappone, LICSW, training consultant and clinician
  • John Barthelmes, former colonel, New Hampshire State Police
  • And many more!

Honor those making a difference in the mental health of our local communities – alleviating hardships, serving as an ally, educating or raising awareness, helping those with addictions or mentalĢż illnesses. Winners are honored each fall at Riverbend’s Champions for Mental Health awards ceremony, where members of the public, business leaders, public officials and other interested community members come together in an evening of celebration.

Questions? Contact: development@riverbendcmhc.org

 

Make your nomination today!

The deadline for nominations is Friday, July 12, 2024.

(Current Riverbend Employees and Board members are not eligible for the award. Champions must live or have spent significant time working on the issue of mental health in Merrimack County or Riverbend’s catchment area).

 

Call for Nominations

  • for consideration as a 2026 Champion for Mental Health.
  • If nominating an organization, please list the President/CEO

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