| NAMI New Hampshire
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NAMI NH Executive Director Susan Stearns and Senator Maggie Hassan
Recently, NAMI New Hampshire Executive Director Susan Stearns had the honor of visiting Capitol Hill alongside nearly 100 NAMI Executive Directors. At this exchange, NAMI leaders from across the country had the opportunity to meet with their members of Congress to discuss legislative priorities relating to mental health and suicide prevention, such as connecting 988 help seekers to local resources, helping people with mental illness access health care services during pre-trial detention, and expanding the availability of peer support specialists.
NAMI NH Executive Director Susan Stearns and Congressman Chris Pappas
This visit was a fantastic opportunity for NAMI NH leadership to form connections with our federal delegation, and advocate for the policies that matter most to the Granite State community. Through personal meetings with Senator Maggie Hassan, Representative Chris Pappas, and Vic Goetz, Health Policy Advisor for Senator Jeanne Shaheen, Susan fostered open discussions on the best ways we can improve mental health care in the Granite State and ensure that everyone experiencing a mental health crisis receives a mental health response.
NAMI NH Exec. Director Susan Stearns and Vic Goetz
During this time, NAMI National also hosted its Reimagine Crisis summit and congressional briefing on 988 and the effort to reimagine crisis response. This summit included a discussion with SAMHSA’s 988 office and a panel featuring leaders, peers, and mental health advocates. As we prepare for new legislative initiatives both here in New Hampshire and in Washington, DC, this visit highlights the strength of the NAMI Alliance and our commitment to improving the lives of all people impacted by mental illness and suicide through advocacy at all levels of government.
To learn more about advocacy with NAMI New Hampshire, visit our Take Action page and sign up for Public Policy Alerts.