Dear friends and colleagues of community mental health,
The New Hampshire House of Representatives has adopted and narrowly passed the State budget for Fiscal Years 2026 and 2027. The budget process now moves to the Senate, where deliberations are underway. We are hopeful the Senate will recognize the critical need to restore essential funding to ensure continued support for individuals across the state.
This is a pivotal and challenging time for New Hampshire’s Community Mental Health Centers. The funding cuts included in the House version of the budget risk a significant step backward for mental health care in our state.
Please find below, link to a memorandum that outlines the serious challenges we face as a community and the potential consequences of the proposed reductions.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter and for your continued support of mental health services in New Hampshire.
Respectfully,
NH Community Behavioral Health Association
On Monday, August 22, CLM presented an information session on NH Rapid Response Access Point and Mobile Crisis Response at an event hosted by the Atkinson Fire Department at the Atkinson Community Center.
View the video detailing the program here.
The mental health crisis is impacting our community on a daily basis. Community members oftentimes do not know where to go to seek mental health services when crisis strikes.
CLM’s Acute Care Services program provides crisis support as a walk-in center in Derry, via 24/7 phone and telehealth assessment as well as Mobile Crisis Response to individuals where they are in the community. We work with law enforcement, first responders, schools, other community organizations, individuals and families.
Mental health is not a one-size fits-all solution, and Acute Care Services allows those in crisis to be linked via telehealth to a mental health professional in a matter of minutes. This relationship has the potential to break down walls between people and law enforcement, and has provided stabilization for people within their homes.
Ultimately, community members benefit from the improved relationship they will be able to forge with both mental health providers and others who serve our communities.
Director of Acute Care Services Kerry Ali, Senior Emergency Service Clinician Andrew Carlsen, and Captain Shane Mirisola of the Windham Police Department presented at the August 22 event, which featured an overview of CLM Acute Care, Emergency and Mobile Crisis Response, the NH Rapid Response Access point and the 988 National Crisis Line.
The collaboration between CLM and the Windham NH Police Department is a significant tool to offer more effective community-based crisis intervention. We are working to replicate this model with other police departments within our region.
The session was attended by 30 representatives from Law Enforcement, Fire, EMS, and Dispatchers from the towns of Atkinson, Plaistow, Newton, Hampstead, Danville, and Sandown.
(L-R): Paula Holigan, Atkinson EMS Director; Kerry Ali; Captain Shane Mirisola; Andrew Carlsen; and Brian Murray, Atkinson Fire Chief.
