2026 NAMI NH Annual Awards

On June 25th, a group of remarkable Granite Staters were recognized with 2026 NAMI NH Annual Awards and a NAMI Exemplary Psychiatry Award during the NAMI New Hampshire Annual Meeting.  All of these individuals have gone above and beyond to support folks affected by mental illness and suicide.  These awards honor an exemplary group fiercely dedicated to improving the lives of Granite Staters, and their loved ones, affected by mental illness and suicide. 

Hope does, indeed, start with these award recipients:

Justice System Leader – Officer James Gould
Officer Gould is more than a police officer – he is an ally in the mental health community. After hearing a Life Interrupted presentation at the Police Academy in 2023 and participating in NAMI NH’s Crisis Intervention Team training, Officer Gould has used what he learned to skillfully guide conversations about mental health and police protocol that are meaningful, honest, and healing for individuals and families. Officer Gould’s patience, dignity, and skill have helped individuals experiencing a mental health crisis feel heard, hopeful, and safe. They know he is there to support them and that he wants them to get the help they need and deserve. He is creating a positive difference in the lives of families with mental health challenges and in our communities. As his nominator stated, “What Officer Gould does is not a small thing. It is everything.”

Mental Health Supporter – Jaime-Rose Kelly
Jaime-Rose Kelly is a tireless mental health advocate whose work is driven by compassion, empathy, persistence, and an unwavering commitment to those she serves. Based in New Hampshire’s North Country, where resources are scarce and workforce challenges are significant, she consistently goes above and beyond to ensure individuals and families in crisis receive the care they deserve. Her ability to think creatively and find solutions in a resource-limited area has made a meaningful and lasting impact. Jaime-Rose takes the time to truly listen and make each family feel heard, supported, and understood, connecting in critical moments as well as beyond the initial crisis. She empowers families to move forward with confidence, and shows them there is hope and healing after hospitalization. As her nominator said, “Jaime-Rose doesn’t just meet expectations, she exceeds them every day.”

Systems Transformation Leader – Nancy Fennell
Nancy Fennell exemplifies the spirit of systems transformation through her leadership as Director of the Behavioral Health Clinical Learning Collaborative. Convening mental health leaders from across New Hampshire, Nancy creates a trusted, collaborative space to examine the most pressing behavioral health challenges facing Granite Staters and work together to identify meaningful, actionable paths forward. Nancy combines strategic thinking with genuine care, fostering collaboration while challenging systems to do better. Through her leadership, partnerships have strengthened, innovation has flourished, and our collective responsibility for improving outcomes has grown. Nancy’s unwavering belief in the possibility of change makes her a powerful catalyst for systems transformation in New Hampshire.

Peer Support Professional – Fred Poisson
Fred exemplifies outstanding leadership and a strong commitment to his community. As Executive Director of Connections Peer Support, he leads with integrity and intention, fostering a culture of trust, collaboration, and support. Fred is kind, patient, thoughtful, and persistent in ensuring individuals in New Hampshire have person-centered, respectful, and transitional peer support. He is a visionary leader and passionate advocate in helping us understand how Step Up Step Down programs are an essential and cost-effective part of mental health and substance use care in New Hampshire. Fred is steadfast, grounding discussions in his deep expertise in peer support and ensuring that all perspectives are meaningfully considered. He asks the thoughtful and challenging questions that strengthen decision-making and push us to advance shared goals. Fred’s leadership has had – and will continue to have – a lasting, positive impact on peer support and the community he serves.

Youth Leadership – Pierce Connolly
In the many nominations received for Pierce, he was described as a pioneer, a leader, an advocate, a visionary, and an inspiration. As the founder of the NAMI on Campus chapter at Bishop Guertin, Pierce has consistently encouraged his peers to recognize the importance of mental health, opened the doors to conversation, and decreased stigma through awareness and education. He is passionate about creating real, lasting change in how mental health is understood and supported among students in New Hampshire, fostering a culture of openness and understanding. Pierce has created a safe space for students to share their experiences, access resources, and support one another. Leadership is about bringing people together, inspiring others, and making those around you the best possible versions of themselves. Pierce does all of these with great success.

Volunteer of the Year – Timothy Weeks
If you heard Tim speak at NAMIWalks New Hampshire last year, you know he is a powerful and engaging speaker who rallies all to believe – like he believes – that mental health matters, that together we can make a difference, and that our collective voices are incredibly powerful. Tim began his volunteer work with NAMI New Hampshire quietly, as an In Our Own Voice speaker who gained confidence and found that people valued his recovery journey and connected with his story. Recently, Tim has trained to facilitate a Connections support group and has joined the board at the Monadnock Peer Support Center. He is a passionate advocate who has testified in front of the legislature and he represents NAMI New Hampshire as a community volunteer. Tim’s contagious smile, sense of humor, the great empathy he shows for others, and, above all, his unwavering pursuit of seeking justice and fairness for others with mental illness, are just some of the reasons why he is NAMI NH’s 2026 Volunteer of the Year.

NAMI Exemplary Psychiatrist – Dr. Patrick Hattan
A New Hampshire native, Dr. Hattan has dedicated his career to serving the needs of Granite Staters of all ages living with mental illness. For the past two years, he has held two concurrent positions – one as Co-Chief Medical Officer at Hampstead Hospital and one as Associate Medical Director at New Hampshire Hospital. In these leadership roles, he provides and helps oversee the delivery of evidence-based, trauma-informed service for adults and children with complex mental health and medical needs. Dr. Hattan has worked with NAMI NH volunteers on the Patient and Family Advisory Committee, and helps to educate family members and folks affected by mental illness by sharing his expertise one on one, in group settings, and in formal presentations. As a Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at the Geisel School of Medicine, he is sharing his knowledge and experience to teach our future workforce. We are grateful that he was called to do this work.