annual awards

Submit your nomination today!

Deadline for awards submission is Monday, May 8th.

Questions about the awards, email awards@naminh.org.

NAMI NH seeks nominees for our Annual Awards. Individuals nominated are those who have made outstanding contributions to improving the lives of people affected by mental illness and suicide. These awards are presented at the NAMI NH Annual Meeting in June.

Award Criteria

Nominations may be for an individual, group, or organization that goes above and beyond for those affected by mental illness and suicide. These awards honor exemplary people – those who take more risk, work harder, are more caring and thoughtful, strengthen DEI efforts, and give more of themselves for families and those with mental illness. Professional nominees must be a current practitioner in the field for which they are being nominated. You may nominate more than one person, and you may nominate someone who was nominated previously but not selected. Past winners may be nominated again five years after their award (a link to previous winners is at the bottom of this page). Contact information for both you and the nominee MUST be included. The number of nominations an individual receives will not affect the voting process or outcome; nomination campaigns are discouraged.  Nominees will be voted upon based on the written nomination only.

2023 NAMI NH Annual Awards - Submit Your Nomination Tinyurl.com/NAMINHAWARDS23

Award Determination

The Annual Awards Committee determines the recipients of these awards. Award recipients are determined SOLELY on the content of the written nominations, which must be limited to 250 words (approximately one paragraph). NAMI NH staff and board members are not eligible to win awards. Please check here for a list of former award winners.

Thank you for helping us to recognize and celebrate wonderful people!

2023 Award Categories

Not sure which category to choose? Just select your best guess; our volunteer Annual Awards Committee will decide which category is best suited once they have read over all of the nominations.

    1. Volunteer of the Year – NAMI NH’s cadre of committed volunteers are the essence of the organization.  They inspire us by bringing help and hope to countless individuals and families each and every day.  NAMI NH volunteers facilitate support groups virtually and in-person, teach education programs like Family-to-Family, NAMI Basics, and Peer-to-Peer and they share their deeply personal stories with the legislature and the community.  Volunteers help make events like NAMIWalks NH a success.  They give their time and expertise to critical initiatives, such as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and Crisis Intervention Team training for our First Responders.  NAMI NH volunteers selflessly give of their time and lived experience to improve lives – who among our over 200 volunteers deserves this award?

    2. Peer Support Professional – Nominees in this category willingly share their experiences with mental illness and substance use recovery with others traveling a similar path. Through shared understanding, respect, and mutual empowerment, peer support professionals help those working on their recovery stay engaged with their wellness. As important members of many treatment teams, peer support professionals offer an effective extension of treatment beyond the clinical setting to support sustained recovery.

    3. Mental Health Supporter – Each day, we are made aware of the many helpers in our communities who have gone above and beyond to provide exemplary support and care to individuals and families in our communities.  These compassionate individuals are dedicated to improving the lives of Granite Staters affected by mental illness and suicide.  Nominees in this category may include therapists, psychiatrists, administrators, case managers, and educators working in the fields of mental health, suicide prevention, and/or co-occurring substance use and mental health disorders.

    4. Legislator of the Year – This award recognizes NH state or federal legislators who are champions for mental health and suicide prevention.  The Legislator of the Year is an elected official who helps to amplify the voices of individuals and families affected by mental health and suicide; demonstrates their commitment to improving the quality of life and health and well-being of Granite Staters; and is a leader in advocating for issues relative to mental health and suicide prevention.

    5. Systems Transformation Leader – Nominees for this award have demonstrated a transformational and positive impact to NH’s mental health system (regionally or statewide).  These individuals motivate and inspire others to be agents for change by raising awareness, educating the community, building partnerships, fostering collaborations, and above all, inspiring hope for a brighter future through their actions.

    6. Youth Leadership – Youth and young adults in New Hampshire are incredible advocates and leaders, and this category is intended to honor and recognize them for their efforts.  The voices of our youth are powerful, and we are grateful to the countless young people who have bravely shared their personal stories to help others, raise awareness, and let folks know they are not alone.

Submit your nomination today!

Deadline for awards submission is Monday, May 8th.

Questions about the awards, email awards@naminh.org.

Previous Award Recipients

Questions about the awards, email awards@naminh.org.

2023

Mental Health Supporter: Brendan Cahalin

Youth Leader: Erin Murphy

Peer Support: Karen Richi

Legislator of the Year: Senator Rebecca Whitley

System Transformation: Deborah Robinson

Volunteer of the Year: Theo Baars

Law Enforcement: Major Russ Conte

  • Educator – Fern R. Seiden
  • Law Enforcement –  Detective Rochelle Jones
  • Legislator of the Year –  Senator Cindy Rosenwald
  • Media – Kelly Burch
  • Mental Health Professional – Dr. Arun Krishnan
  • Volunteer of the Year – Betty Nitchie
  • Peer Support – Marena Beale
  • Unsung Hero – Jane Doe
  • Peer Support – Samantha Captain
  • Unsung Hero – Douglas and Danielle Flood
  • NAMI NH Volunteer of the Year – Terri Clyde
  • Legislator of the Year – Senator Tom Sherman
  • Mental Health Professional – Mary F. Brunette, MD
  • Field of Co-occurring Substance Misuse & Mental Illness – Kimbly Wade
  • Systems Change – Sofia A. Hyatt and Victoria Saxe
  • Youth Leadership – Jordan Trombly
  • Educator – Keene Paraprofessionals
  • Law Enforcement – Chief David Goldstein
  • Legislator of the Year – Representative Mark Proulx
  • Media – Adam Furious
  • Mental Health Care Professional – Linda Call
  • Peer Support – Melissa Danen
  • Unsung Hero – Kelsey Eastman
  • Volunteer of the Year – Eastman Family
  • Kelley Gaspa – Field of Co-Occurring Substance Misuse & Mental Illness
  • Representative Dave Danielson – Legislator
  • Jeff Davis – Mental Health Professional
  • Pam Brazeau – NAMI NH Volunteer of the Year
  • Scott Watson – Peer Support
  • Todd Donovan – Unsung Hero
  • Seth Noyes, Aidan Rupp, and Evan Young – Youth Leadership
  • Meredith Freeman-Caple – Educator
  • Representative Renny Cushing – Legislative Leader
  • Leah Willingham – Media
  • Marshall B. Hatch, III – Mental Health Professional
  • Jude Grophear – Peer Support
  • Trooper Seth Gahr – Systems Change
  • Grace Emily Smith – Unsung Hero
  • Janyce Demers – Volunteer of the Year
  • Lieutenant Frank Harris – Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice
  • Senator Jeb Bradley – Legislator
  • Elizabeth Meadow, MD, PhD – Mental Health Professional
  • Sandy Lang – Peer Recovery
  • Mary Forsythe-Taber – Substance Misuse and Mental Illness
  • Dominic Geffken, MD, MPH – Unsung Hero
  • Pam Burns – Volunteer of the Year
  • Erica Sherman – Youth or Youth Professional
  • Jill O’Neill – Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice
  • Chuck Morse – Legislator
  • Rick Jurgens – Media
  • Mary Buckley – Mental Health Professional
  • Marla Stefflre – Peer Recovery
  • Tracy Bachert – The Hiller “Mac” McCartin Award
  • Mark Feigl – Unsung Hero
  • Tricia Ellis – Volunteer of the Year
  • Paige Young – Youth Organization
  • Karleigh O’Brien – Youth Organization
  • Meredith Nicosia – Youth Organization
  • Gregory J. Warren – Outstanding Educator
  • Lieutenant Matthew Isham – Outstanding Law Enforcement Award
  • Amelia (Mya) Miller – Outstanding Media
  • Peter Janelle – Outstanding Mental Health Administrator
  • David LaCroix – Outstanding Systems Change
  • Robert J. MacLeod – Outstanding Systems Change
  • Kelly Smith – Outstanding Therapist
  • Jessica L. Vintinner-Robinson – Unsung Hero
  • Mike Austin – Consumer Empowerment
  • Robin Alvanos – Family Volunteer
  • Barbara French – Legislative Leader
  • Betsy Harrison – Mental Health Care Provider
  • Philip Sullivan, MD – Psychiatrist
  • Ken Snow – The Hiller “Mac” McCartin Award
  • Laurie Foster – Unsung Hero
  • Reed Allen – Youth Leadership
  • Susan Morrison – Educator
  • David Mara – Law Enforcement
  • Dan Habib – Media
  • Dr. Betty Walsh – Mental Health Administrator
  • Lara Saffo – Systems Change
  • Louise Morin-Davy – Therapist
  • Audra Anderson – Unsung Hero
  • Anna Rice – Consumer Empowerment Leader
  • Donna Stamper – Family Volunteer
  • Lou D’Allesandro – Legislative Leader
  • Daniel Miller – Mental health worker
  • Dr. William Torrey – Psychiatrist
  • Mac McCartin – The Hiller “MAC” McCartin Award
  • Marsha Chapple – Unsung Hero
  • Colebrook key Club – Youth Leadership
  • Sharon Murphy – Educator
  • Robert Stafford – Law Enforcement
  • Seacoast Media Group – Media
  • Charlie Cotton – Mental Health Administrator
  • C.R.E.A.T.E! – Systems Change
  • Katie Merrill (Katherine) – Therapist
  • Tom Timmons – Unsung Hero
  • Karen Dyke – Consumer Empowerment
  • Norma Smith – Family Volunteer
  • Senator Kathleen Sgambati – Legislative Leader
  • Jennifer Conley – Mental Health Care Provider
  • Dr. Stephens Bartels – Psychiatrist
  • Judge James Leary – Unsung Hero
  • Lindsey Graham – Youth Leadership
  • Gary Bisson – Outstanding Educator
  • Al Wright – Outstanding Law Enforcement Award
  • Mario Brodeur-Fossa – Outstanding Mental Health Administrator
  • Jean Durgin – Outstanding Therapist
  • Raymond Coalition for Youth – Systems Change Award
  • Ed Kirby – Unsung Hero
  • Janine Lapete – Consumer Empowerment Leader
  • Nancy Adams – Family Volunteer
  • Jim MacKay – Legislative Leader
  • Deborah Green – Mental Health Worker
  • Dr. Edward Drummon – Psychiatrist
  • Ellen Malloy – Unsung Hero
  • Robert Bryant – Educator
  • William Joyce – Law Enforcement
  • Sarah Sullivan – Media
  • Ken Jue – Mental Health Administrator
  • Peter Kelleher – Systems Change
  • Susan Mead – Therapist
  • Diane Cyr – Unsung Hero
  • Alex de Nesnera – Adult Psychiatrist
  • Kim Von Wedel – Consumer Empowerment
  • Jim Fisher – Family Volunteer
  • Fran Wendelboe – Legislative Leader
  • Nanette Leurant – Mental Health Care Provider
  • Peggy Straw – NH Founder Award
  • Corey Nachman – Student Activist
  • Elizabeth June Hardy – Unsung Hero
  • Gwen Barros – Adult Psychiatrist
  • Carol Copanas – Adult Therapist
  • Pam Brown – Advocate
  • Dan Bailey – Consumer Empowerment
  • Laurie Belanger – Educator
  • Rebecca and Steve Lawrence – Family Volunteer
  • Laconia Police Department – Legal/Law Enforcement Professional
  • Dr. James Pilliod – Legislative Leader
  • Kristen Proulx Jarvis – Media
  • Jesse Turner – Mental Health Administrator
  • Teresa Bryant – Mental Health Worker
  • 20 Individuals, Statewide – Systems Change
  • Lisa A. Mistler – Adult Psychiatrist
  • Jude Turner – Adult Therapist
  • Emily Huff – Advocate
  • Steven L. Cauble – Child Psychiatrist
  • Ann Bliss – Child Therapist
  • Bryan and Pam Smith – Consumer Empowerment
  • Brooks and Elaine South – Family Volunteer
  • Benjamin Jean – Law Enforcement
  • Jane O’Hearn – Legislative Leader
  • Rebecca Brown – Media
  • Debra Sosin – Mental Health Administrator
  • Bob Curdie – Mental Health Worker
  • Joseph Manning – President’s Award
  • David Lynde – Social Worker
  • Howard Muscott – Special Educator
  • Cheshire County Mental Health Court – Systems Change
  • Rosemarie Garreffi – Adult Therapist
  • Geri Foucher – Advocate
  • John Caswell – Consumer Empowerment
  • Helen Harrison – Family Volunteer
  • Jeff Bolduc – Law Enforcement Professional
  • Joseph P. Manning – Legislative Leader
  • Shawne K. Wickham – Media
  • Brett Longgood – Mental Health Administrator
  • Carol A. Kaplan – Mental Health Worker
  • Robert Racusin – Psychiatrist
  • Elizabeth Prince – Systems Change
  • Chris Cummings – Children’s Services
  • Sam’s Club – Community Business Leader
  • Ken Braiterman – Consumer Empowerment
  • Darlene Webb – Family and Consumer Advocate
  • Suzanne Morin – Family Volunteer
  • Albert H. Goodridge, Jr. – In Appreciation for Older Adult Guidebook Cover
  • Artwork
  • Robert Stafford – Law Enforcement
  • Peter L. Batula – Legislative Leader
  • Laura Knoy – Media
  • Thomas S. Fox – Mental Health Administrator
  • Shery Wilcox – Mental Health Professional
  • Janet Stiles – President’s Award
  • Hisham Hafez – Psychiatrist
  • Kenneth Jue – Systems Change
  • Patty Szydlo – Adovate
  • Joseph Simmons – Business Community Leader
  • Jean Fortier – Case Manager
  • Joe Perry – Children’s Services
  • Earl Sweeney – Consumer Empowerment
  • Nancy Bolton – Family Volunteer
  • Pat Dowling – Legislative Leader
  • Nancy West – Media
  • Judy Magnon – Mental Illness Administrator
  • Mary Ellen Russell – Mental Illness Treatment Professional
  • Justin Souther – Psychiatric Nurse
  • Annmarie McDonagh-Coyle – Psychiatrist
  • Ellie Stein-Cowan – Systems Change
  • Kathy Canedy – Advocate
  • Susan Taylor – Case Manager
  • Jaka Mikeska – Children’s Services
  • James Prive – Community Leader
  • Perrylin & Alastair McKelvie – Consumer Empowerment
  • Ed & Fern Gardner – Family Volunteers
  • Maggie Pritchard – Mental Health Administrator
  • Bruce Drouin – Mental Health Professional
  • Irene Fullman – Psychiatric Nurse
  • Robert Murray – Psychiatrist
  • Joe Perry – Systems Change
  • Doris “Rick” Sherman – Advocate
  • Prime Tanning – Business Leader
  • Scott Slattery – Case Manager
  • William Quinn – Consumer Empowerment
  • Ro Carreker – Family Volunteers
  • Gloria Johnson – Family Volunteers
  • Gwen McMickle – Family Volunteers
  • Patricial Auciello – Mental Health Administrator
  • Elaine deMello – Mental Health Professional
  • Diane Morin – Psychiatric Nurse
  • Craig Donnelly – Psychiatrist
  • Fran Silvestri – Systems Change
  • Michael Feinstein – Advocate
  • Albert “Chip” Maltais – Case Manager
  • Richard Hattan – Children’s Services
  • Shery Mead – Consumer Affairs
  • Barbara Mooney – Family Volunteer
  • Page Cannon – Mental Health Administrator
  • Faith Sillars – Mental Health Professional
  • Kristen Kraunelis – Psychiatric Nurse
  • Rebecca Neal – Psychiatrist
  • Disabilities Rights Center – Systems Change
  • Sally Pratt – Case Manager
  • Carol Boyle – Children’s Services
  • Warm Line – Consumer Empowerment
  • Riverbend Community Mental Health Ctr – Consumer Empowerment
  • Valerie Angeloro – Consumer Empowerment
  • WEVO – Media
  • Dale Klatzker – Mental Health Administrator
  • Robert Vidaver – Mental Health Professional
  • Daniel Potenza – Psychiatrist
  • Bob Drake – Systems Change
  • Fred and Dot Walker – Advocate Award
  • Perry Edson – Case Manager
  • Mario Cossa – Children’s Services
  • Marie Raiche – Consumer Empowerment
  • Tylaine Guerillo – Family Volunteers
  • Ruth Dubose – Family Volunteers
  • Susan McLane – Legislative Leader
  • Bryan J. Rourke – Media
  • Paul Gorman – Mental Health Administrator
  • Claudia Boutin – Mental Health Professional
  • Terry Morton’s Team – Systems Change
  • Phil Wyzik – Administrator
  • Maureen Janelle – Case Manager
  • Debra Sosin – Children’s Services
  • Tony Jackson – Community Leader
  • Debbie Lebow – Consumer Empowerment
  • Bodie Morey – Family Volunteers
  • Rita Wolfe – Family Volunteers
  • Jeanne Shaheen – Legislative Leaders
  • Elizabeth Crory – Legislative Leaders
  • Valley News – Media
  • Nancy Morse – Mental Health Professional
  • Michael Malloy – Systems Change
  • Elaine deMello – Administrator
  • Ken Purdy – Business Leader
  • Beth Nelson – Case Manager
  • Nancy Rollins – Children’s Advocate
  • Pat Powander – Consumer Empowerment
  • Wyman Way Co-op – Consumer Empowerment – Exemplary Program
  • Nancy Maguire – Family Volunteer
  • Ralph Hough – Legislative Leader
  • Rick Trombly – Legislative Leader
  • David Daley – Mental Health Professional
  • Joanne Malloy – Systems Change
  • Tom Call – Administrators
  • Peter Kelleher – Administrators
  • George “Bud” Ross – Case Management Leadership
  • Bonnie Clement – Case Management Leadership
  • Nancy Rollins – Children’s Services
  • Dana James – Consumer Empowerment
  • Wyman Way Co-op – Consumer Empowerment – Exemplary Program
  • George & Kathy Williams – Family Volunteers
  • Teddi Nardi – Legislative Leader
  • Linda Kierstead – Mental Health Professionals
  • Bill Ryder – Mental Health Professionals
  • Mental Health of Greater Manchester – Systems Change
  • Ken Norton – Case Manager
  • Dot Walker – Children’s Services
  • Cecilia Kirkman – Children’s Services
  • Fred Walker – Community Leader
  • David Hilton – Consumer Affairs
  • Jean Hayward – Family Volunteer
  • Ed DuPont – Legislative Leader
  • Eliza Hobson – Media
  • Fran Sylvestri – Mental Health Administrator
  • Dennis Woods – Mental Heath Professional
  • Carol Farmer – Systems Change