NAMI Awarded $700K for Suicide Prevention

Senator Shaheen listening to students at Sanborn Regional H.S. talk about issues affecting youth.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness New Hampshire (NAMI NH) has been awarded a $735,844 federal grant to support the organization’s youth suicide prevention efforts throughout the state.

The grant is distributed through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Suicide Prevention Program. SAMHSA is a branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The award was announced by NH’s Congressional Delegation.

U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), says data shows that suicide was the second most common cause of death for young Americans in 2017. “This is a mental health crisis that demands our full attention,” says Senator Shaheen. “This federal funding will bolster NAMI NH’s critical work throughout New Hampshire to prevent youth suicide by raising awareness, educating the public and ensuring those who are in crisis are able to get the assistance they urgently need.”

“NAMI NH has led groundbreaking efforts to address mental health challenges, saving countless lives throughout our state and making our communities stronger,” says U.S. Senator Hassan (D-NH). “Youth suicide is especially devastating, and I’m glad to support additional federal funding so that NAMI NH can continue to build upon its critical work to help kids who are in crisis. And I will continue working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to end the stigma attached to mental health challenges, as well as ensure that New Hampshire has the resources it needs to help families and communities affected by mental health struggles.”