Growing up in mental health crisis

Meeting youth mental health needs remains a priority – and challenge – for NH providers

New Hampshire Public Radio
By Paul Cuno-Booth
Published July 10, 2023

Sen. Maggie Hassan and Loreley Godfrey, a Portsmouth resident, and advocate, during a roundtable discussion on youth mental health Monday in Manchester.

Mental health services for children and teens continue to be a pressing need in New Hampshire in the wake of the pandemic, according to providers and advocates who spoke at a roundtable in Manchester Monday.

Depression and anxiety among youth rose during the pandemic, and services have struggled to keep up.

“We have some young adults here that have spent their entire high school in this traumatic situation – addiction crisis, layered with COVID, layered with mental health,” said Mary Forsythe-Taber, the executive director of Makin’ It Happens, a youth-focused organization in the greater Manchester area.

The speakers – who included advocates, representatives of mental health providers, and the head of the state’s behavioral health division – described various ways they’re trying to meet that need, supported by recent infusions of federal funding.

That includes planned investments in community mental health, efforts to better integrate mental health services in schools, and a new University of New Hampshire graduate program that aims to train school social workers.

But high demand and shortages of staff continue to leave some families waiting months for services. The Mental Health Center of Greater Manchester is booking some intakes six months out and has about 350 families on the waitlist, according to Director of Child and Adolescent Services Jeanna Still.
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I am a senior citizen. Growing old wasn't easy, but I still remember that growing up wasn't easy either. At least when I was young, we didn't have cell phones, social media, or videos to deal with. We did have bullies, and pressures from other kids, and from our parents. 

The best advice I can give you is first to know yourself. Who are you, what do you want, what do you love and what do you love to do? Be a best friend to yourself first so that you can cope with the world around you a little bit better. 

I know I had to. It wasn't easy and it took a lot of time. The thing is, it was worth it because no matter where you live, who you are with, or what you're doing, you will always be your best friend to yourself. 

Find some help here

Children, youth, and families in need of crisis care have many ways to get the help they need. This page is a guide on what types of care they can get during a crisis. What is a crisis? Any time a child, youth, or family cannot handle a mental, emotional, or substance problem. What that looks like for you will be different than someone else. You get to decide if you need help. 

New Hampshire's Rapid Response
24-hour services are available by for any child, youth, or family in crisis 1 (833) 710-6477. NHRR has people who can talk, chat or text with anyone and/or can send a Rapid Response Team to meet in person.