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NH DHHS Seeks Public Input, Announces Information Sessions for Ten-Year Mental Health Plan Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is seeking public input on the development of its Ten-Year Mental Health Plan (Plan). The Plan will provide a framework to anticipate and address the mental health needs of New Hampshire residents, and feedback from stakeholders and the public will inform the development of the Plan.
“The landscape of mental health has changed significantly since the previous Ten-Year Mental Health Plan was developed in 2008,” said DHHS Commissioner Jeffrey A. Meyers. “We continue to see an increase in demand for inpatient psychiatric treatment services, more children and families requiring a broad array of services, and the impact of the opioid epidemic on individuals, families and communities. If the new Plan is to address mental health needs today and tomorrow, it is critical that we have input from all stakeholders, most importantly those who rely on these critical services.”
“Reforming New Hampshire’s mental health system has been a primary focus of my administration. How we best move forward in improving that system and expanding capacity is a key focus of the Ten-Year Mental Health Plan,” said Governor Christopher T. Sununu. “Transparency, a diversity of input and the ability to make modifications based on that input is essential in crafting that plan. I thank Commissioner Meyers and the Department for providing these additional opportunities.”
To provide opportunities for the individuals and their families, advocates, providers, and elected officials the opportunity to provide input on the Plan, DHHS is holding 6 public information sessions in September and October throughout the State. Each session is scheduled for 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm.
Keene, September 25th Cheshire Medical Center Lower Level North, conference rooms 1&2 580 Court Street, Keene
Seacoast, October 1st Portsmouth Public Library, Levenson Room 175 Parrott Avenue, Portsmouth
North Country, October 4th Littleton Regional Hospital Taylor Caswell Conference Center 600 St. Johnsbury Road, Littleton
Nashua, October 8th Southern NH Regional Hospital Education & Training Center 10 Prospect Street, Nashua
Manchester, October 9th Manchester City Hall Aldermanic Chambers One City Hall Plaza, Manchester
Concord, October 25th Department of Health and Human Services Brown Auditorium 129 Pleasant Street, Concord
DHHS will use the information already provided through work groups along with public input to produce a draft report. The last session in Concord has been scheduled for October 25th to allow for input on the completed draft report, which will be issued in the middle of October. DHHS will also provide a three week written comment period on the draft report that will commence following the Concord session. For more information on the Ten-Year Mental Health Plan, please visit https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/dcbcs/bbh/10-year-mh-plan.htm.
If accommodations are needed for communication access such as interpreters, CART (captioning), assistive listening devices, or other auxiliary aids and/or services, please contact Laura Rebolledo at 603-271-9544 or Laura.Rebolledo@dhhs.nh.gov 5 business days before a public input session. At least 5 business days advance notice is requested in order to assure availability; requests made fewer than 5 days prior to the event will attempt to be accommodated but cannot be guaranteed.
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