NH Peer Support Agencies
The Peer Support Agencies (PSAs) are located throughout New Hampshire. They are private not-for-profit agencies that have contracted with the NH Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Mental Health (BMH). Peer support agencies provide services to people with mental illness who are 18 years of age or older and self-identify as a recipient, former recipient, or as at significant risk of becoming a recipient of publicly funded mental health services. Peer support services are provided by and for people with a mental illness and are designed to assist people with their recovery. Peer support consists of supportive interactions based on shared experience among people and are intended to assist people to understand their potential to achieve their personal goals. Interactions are based on trust, respect, and mutual support. Peer support agencies accomplish this by providing choice, using non-medical approaches to help, sharing decision making, encouraging informed decision making about all aspects of people's lives, challenging perceived self-limitations, etc. Services include, but are not limited to: face-to-face and telephone peer support; outreach; monthly educational events; activities that promote self-advocacy; wellness training; after hours warm line; crisis respite (24 hours, short-term, non-medical crisis program).
The Peer Support Agencies (PSAs) are located throughout New Hampshire. They are private not-for-profit agencies that have contracted with the NH Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Mental Health (BMH). Peer support agencies provide services to people with mental illness who are 18 years of age or older and self-identify as a recipient, former recipient, or as at significant risk of becoming a recipient of publicly funded mental health services. Peer support services are provided by and for people with a mental illness and are designed to assist people with their recovery. Peer support consists of supportive interactions based on shared experience among people and are intended to assist people to understand their potential to achieve their personal goals. Interactions are based on trust, respect, and mutual support. Peer support agencies accomplish this by providing choice, using non-medical approaches to help, sharing decision making, encouraging informed decision making about all aspects of people's lives, challenging perceived self-limitations, etc. Services include, but are not limited to: face-to-face and telephone peer support; outreach; monthly educational events; activities that promote self-advocacy; wellness training; after hours warm line; crisis respite (24 hours, short-term, non-medical crisis program).
New Hampshire Peer Support Agency Respite Centers
Crisis Respite is a 24-hour, Peer Driven, Peer Support Center. Respite centers are a short-term, non medical crisis program. To learn more or begin your pre qualifying application and interview, contact the following crisis respite centers:
Stepping Stones
108 Pleasant Street
Claremont, NH 03743
Crisis Respite: 1-888852-0920 or (603)543-1388
H.E.A.R.T.S Peer Support Center of Greater Nashua
5 Pine Street Extension Suite 1-G
Nashua, NH 03060
Crisis Respite: (603)864-8769
Monadnock Area Peer Support
64 Beaver Street
Keene, NH 03431
Crisis Respite: (603)352-5093
Crisis Respite is a 24-hour, Peer Driven, Peer Support Center. Respite centers are a short-term, non medical crisis program. To learn more or begin your pre qualifying application and interview, contact the following crisis respite centers:
Stepping Stones
108 Pleasant Street
Claremont, NH 03743
Crisis Respite: 1-888852-0920 or (603)543-1388
H.E.A.R.T.S Peer Support Center of Greater Nashua
5 Pine Street Extension Suite 1-G
Nashua, NH 03060
Crisis Respite: (603)864-8769
Monadnock Area Peer Support
64 Beaver Street
Keene, NH 03431
Crisis Respite: (603)352-5093
Office of Consumer and Family Affairs
Bureau of Behavioral Health
NH Department of Health and Human Services
OCFA 1-800-852-3345 x 5138
The Office of Consumer and Family Affairs (OCFA) provides information, education and support for children and youth, families, adults and older adults who are dealing with the challenges of mental illness. Our goal is to facilitate consumer and family input into all aspects of the state-funded mental health system as well as the Bureau of Behavioral Health's planning and policy development. Consumer and family experience is invaluable in the identification of mental health care needs, planning and program development.
Consumers and families can tell us what is working for them-and what isn't. Their window on reality will guide and ensure the quality of the services that we deliver. By recruiting, organizing and empowering consumers and families, the OCFA seeks to support them in establishing and maintaining strong input and mental health leadership on a local, regional, state and national level. Established in 1990 as the Office of Consumer Affairs (OCA), it was one of the first two such offices in the country. There are now offices in over thirty-seven states. The office was re-established in December 2007 as the Office of Consumer and Family Affairs. Leadership and empowerment are gained through information and education-learning skills to take charge of our own futures-to be active participants in our own treatment planning- to work together toward improving the mental health system. A first step is to be able to access informational resources.
We have set up the OCFA Resource Center- a small library with a computer that provides easy access to resource materials as well as to the World Wide Web. Just outside the center is a bulletin board and resource table containing important notices and information. The library is open during ordinary business hours. The OCFA newsletter is published quarterly and features articles and information of interest to adults and youth consumers, family members, and older adults. Contact Tom Grinley, Director of the OCFA at Thomas.Grinely@dhhs.state.nh.gov or 1-800-852-3345 x5138 to be added to our newsletter mailing list. OCFA meets with consumer groups, visits Peer Support and Community Mental Health Centers, and listens to families. OCFA meets with consumer groups, also works closely with the NH Mental Health Planning and Advisory Council, the PSA Director's Association, the Mental Health and Aging Consumer Advisory Council and the NH Mental Health Consumer Council.
The NH Mental Health Planning and Advisory Council (formerly BHAC) advocates for adults, children and youth with serious mental health challenges. This meeting meets quarterly (October, January, April and July) on the second Tuesday of the month from 10am to 2pm. This is located at the main building on the NHH grounds. For more information, please contact: MHBG State Planner: Beth Anne Nichols at Beth.Nichols@dhhs.nh.gov
The NH Mental Health Consumer Council meets every third Tuesday of each month from 10am to 1pm. This is located at the main building on the NHH grounds. This meeting is for everyone interested in learning and sharing information about mental health, hope and recovery, the mental health care system of NH, the legislation of mental health services and practices, and all agencies that comprise the health/wellness and social services in this state. We come together to share our personal experiences with each other about mental illness, hope and recovery, the mind/body connection and living life to the fullest. We encourage each other to continue learning, growing and living well and sharing our experiences with each other.
The Mental Health and Aging Consumer Advisory Council meet every Fourth Monday of the month from 11am to 2 pm. This takes place at the main building on the NHH grounds. This meeting is for people over 55, interested in discussing topics about mental health, recovery and physical health along with challenges of aging. Many people who head this council were at the forefront of the advocacy movement to change the mental health system for the better to what it is today. This Advocacy Council focuses on mental health legislation and the practices of the agencies that comprise the health/wellness and social services of the State of New Hampshire.
The NH Mental Health Consumer Council meets every third Tuesday of each month from 10am to 1pm. This is located at the main building on the NHH grounds. This meeting is for everyone interested in learning and sharing information about mental health, hope and recovery, the mental health care system of NH, the legislation of mental health services and practices, and all agencies that comprise the health/wellness and social services in this state. We come together to share our personal experiences with each other about mental illness, hope and recovery, the mind/body connection and living life to the fullest. We encourage each other to continue learning, growing and living well and sharing our experiences with each other.
The Mental Health and Aging Consumer Advisory Council meet every Fourth Monday of the month from 11am to 2 pm. This takes place at the main building on the NHH grounds. This meeting is for people over 55, interested in discussing topics about mental health, recovery and physical health along with challenges of aging. Many people who head this council were at the forefront of the advocacy movement to change the mental health system for the better to what it is today. This Advocacy Council focuses on mental health legislation and the practices of the agencies that comprise the health/wellness and social services of the State of New Hampshire.
NAMI New Hampshire
(National Alliance for the Mentally Ill New Hampshire Chapter)
85 N. State Street
Concord, NH 03301
(800) 242-6264 or (603) 225-5359
Web: http://www.naminh.org
NAMI New Hampshire is a statewide education, support and advocacy organization working for a quality, comprehensive mental health service system. Founded in 1980 by a few New Hampshire families who saw the need to improve mental health services, we along with other consumer groups, providers and advocates work together to be the voice of the mentally ill and their families. NAMI NH exists to help restore hope and provide assistance along the journey toward recovery. Please feel free to contact us with your questions, comments or suggestions. NAMI NH is statewide grassroot network of affiliate chapters, staff and volunteers that provide information, education and support to families and consumers of mental health services. NAMI NH serves adults with mental illness and children with severe emotional disturbances and their families.
NAMI NH Resource Guide: Resource addresses, phone numbers and internet links are subject to change. If you are unable to connect with a resource, try searching the web for the name to see if new contact information or links are available. If you need assistance please contact the NAMI NH Information and Resource line at 1-800-242-6264 or info@naminh.org
(National Alliance for the Mentally Ill New Hampshire Chapter)
85 N. State Street
Concord, NH 03301
(800) 242-6264 or (603) 225-5359
Web: http://www.naminh.org
NAMI New Hampshire is a statewide education, support and advocacy organization working for a quality, comprehensive mental health service system. Founded in 1980 by a few New Hampshire families who saw the need to improve mental health services, we along with other consumer groups, providers and advocates work together to be the voice of the mentally ill and their families. NAMI NH exists to help restore hope and provide assistance along the journey toward recovery. Please feel free to contact us with your questions, comments or suggestions. NAMI NH is statewide grassroot network of affiliate chapters, staff and volunteers that provide information, education and support to families and consumers of mental health services. NAMI NH serves adults with mental illness and children with severe emotional disturbances and their families.
NAMI NH Resource Guide: Resource addresses, phone numbers and internet links are subject to change. If you are unable to connect with a resource, try searching the web for the name to see if new contact information or links are available. If you need assistance please contact the NAMI NH Information and Resource line at 1-800-242-6264 or info@naminh.org
Crisis Text Line
Text SIGNS to 741741 for 24/7, anonymous, free crisis counseling.
Crisis Text Line serves anyone, in any type of crisis, providing access to free, 24/7 support and information via text. A live, trained Crisis Counselor receives the text and responds quickly.
Suicide Prevention Lifeline
www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
1-800-273- TALK (8255)
TTY: 1-800-799-4889
24 hour toll free, confidential suicide prevention hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress. You call is routed to the nearest crisis center in the national network of 150+ crisis centers.
Veterans Crisis Line
www.veteranscrisisline.net
1-800-273-8255, Press 1
TTY: 1-800-799-4899
Connects veterans in crisis (and their families and friends) with qualified, caring Department of Veterans Affairs responders through a confidential, toll-free hotline, online chat or text.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline
1-800-662-HELP (4357)
TTY: 1-800-487-4889
The helpline provides 24-hour free and confidential treatment referral and information about mental and/or substance use disorders, prevention, and recovery in English and Spanish.
Vets4Warriors
www.vets4warriors.com
1-855-838-8255
DSN: 312-560-1110
Confidential personalized peer support by phone or chat 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Open to active duty, National Guard and Reserve service members, veterans, retirees, and their families/caregivers.