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

51°µÍř 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°µÍř 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.

“Dr. 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,” said Lisa K. Madden, president & CEO of 51°µÍř Mental Health. “His 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.”

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°µÍř 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.

“This 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,” said Dr. Fetter. “A 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.Ěý I’m proud to support Riverbend and its staff, and to highlight to the great work they do.”

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, NHĚý 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.

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Celebrating more than 60 years of hope and healing, 51°µÍř 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.

Youth Mental Health First Aid is an early intervention public education program designed to equip adults with practical tools to support youth. Participants learn how to recognize warning signs of mental health challenges, listen with empathy and without judgment, provide reassurance, and connect young people to appropriate professional care and services.

This training will be delivered online by Riverbend clinicians. Upon successful completion, participants will earn a Youth Mental Health First Aid Certification—a globally recognized credential valid for three years. This fee-based course is open to the public.

Youth Mental Health First Aid is an early intervention public education program designed to equip adults with practical tools to support youth. Participants learn how to recognize warning signs of mental health challenges, listen with empathy and without judgment, provide reassurance, and connect young people to appropriate professional care and services.

This training will be delivered online by Riverbend clinicians. Upon successful completion, participants will earn a Youth Mental Health First Aid Certification—a globally recognized credential valid for three years. This fee-based course is open to the public.

Each year, 51°µÍř 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.

20th Annual Champions for Mental Health Awards

51°µÍř Mental Health

Champions winners onstage with Riverbend staff at the 2025Ěýawards ceremony

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

For Riverbend, aĚýChampion for Mental HealthĚýis 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’sĚýChampions for Mental HealthĚýawards 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.Ěý

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.Ěý
(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:Ěýdevelopment@riverbendcmhc.org

• PsychiatricĚýEmergency Services – telehealth for deployments.
• Substance Use Disorders/Choices – Building closed to the public; all services converted to telehealth.
• Children’s Intervention Program – Building closed; all services converted to telehealth. No community-based services.
• Community Support Program – Building closed; all services converted to telehealth. No community-based services.
• Franklin Office – Building closed; all services converted to telehealth. No community-based services.
• Residential ServicesĚý– standard operating procedures.
• 29 School Street (Riverbend Administration building) – closed to the public. Staff will be available but working remotely.

For further client service, please contact the applicable Riverbend program if needed.

Housed at 42 Pleasant Street in Concord, the Choices program has an open-access model for services. Walk-in hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday allow those seeking help to get immediate assistance. While intakes are first-come, first-served, clients can also call ahead to coordinate the best times for them to come to the office.

“Easy access to care through walk-in intakes is a simple way for someone to get the care they need immediately, and start on a pathway to healing.” Said Shanna Large-Reusch, Riverbend’s director of substance use disorders. “Our committed staff is proud to offer this service to best support our clients as they seek the help they need.”

Location:

42 Pleasant Street, Concord NH 03301

Walk-in times:

Choices’ walk-in hours are Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m-5:00 p.m. Intakes are first-come-first-served, though clients can call ahead to coordinate the best time to come to the office.

Available Services:

Outpatient substance use treatment:

• Individual therapy
• Group therapy
• Intensive Outpatient (IOP) group therapy
• Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)
• Medications for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) treatment
• Level of care evaluations
• Impaired Driver Service Provider (IDSP) therapy services (appointment required for IDSP services and based on clinical availability)
• Evaluations for MLADC (Master Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor). NOTE: appointment required for MLADC evaluations and based on clinical availability.

Eligibility:

Adults (18 years and older) looking for substance use outpatient treatment (alcohol use, opioid use, methamphetamine use, etc.)

Contact:

Call the main Choices office at 844-524-6673 or walk in at 42 Pleasant Street, Concord, NH.