NH Coalition for Suicide Prevention

04/03/2026

Su***de is complex. No single election, speech, or policy “causes” it. But social climates matter. Periods marked by political unrest, rising violence, gun culture, and hostile messaging toward marginalized groups can increase stress, isolation, and fear—especially for young people and communities already facing stigma.

After the 2024 election, The Trevor Project reported a sharp surge in crisis contacts from LGBTQ+ youth, alongside survey findings that many young people felt their well-being was negatively affected by the political climate. In times of social instability, spikes in distress signals—such as crisis-line contacts—can be an early warning that community support systems are under strain.

At the same time, shifts in how mental-health services are structured and funded have raised concerns among providers about access and continuity of care. Regardless of political perspective, the public-health principle is simple: when demand for mental-health support rises, maintaining clear, trusted, and well-resourced points of entry is essential.

We also cannot ignore broader cultural context. Firearm availability, for instance, amplifies risk. As national data show, fi****ms account for the largest share of su***de deaths in the U.S.—and states with higher rates of gun ownership typically have higher su***de rates. That’s a pattern rooted in lethality, not ideology.

In 2025, executions increased in several states even as the death penalty continues its long-term decline nationwide. According to recent analysis, while executions spiked, the overall use of capital punishment remains historically low and continues to lose ground across much of the country. Moments when state-sanctioned death rises can contribute to a broader atmosphere in which violence feels normalized rather than exceptional. Cultural tone, after all, matters.

Su***de prevention isn’t about ideology. It’s about reducing risk, strengthening connection, and ensuring people have somewhere to turn—especially when the world around them feels volatile.

03/31/2026

Free Sunscreen Dispensers Coming to NH Communities—Apply by April 6

Free sunscreen dispensers available to NH communities. Apply by April 6 to support sun safety and reduce melanoma risk statewide.

03/31/2026

Department of Health and Human Services looks to strengthen, expand 988 and crisis communications.

The Department of Health and Human Services is working to improve responses to crisis calls made to 988, the national su***de and crisis lifeline.

03/31/2026

There are moments when public health calls on us not just to understand—but to act.

Su***de prevention is one of those moments.

On April 7, from 12:00–1:00 PM, partners across New Hampshire are coming together to offer a virtual training, “Talk Saves Lives: An Introduction to Su***de Prevention,” through the American Foundation for Su***de Prevention (AFSP).

At its core, the message is simple—and powerful: talk can save lives.

This training is not a standalone event. It is part of a growing effort across New Hampshire to strengthen education and awareness around mental health and su***de prevention.

03/29/2026

The NH Coalition for Su***de Prevention (NHCSP) was formed in 2021 to complement the work being done in NH to address the growing problem of su***de. Our focus in on NH’s many vulnerable populations. We work in partnership with groups like AFSP (American Foundation for Su***de Prevention) and the State Su***de Prevention Council. In addition to maintaining our website, www.zerosu***desnh.org and cross-promoting and sponsoring educational programs about su***de, we monitor all legislation that supports or works against the goal of zero su***des in the state of NH, and advocate for populations who are vulnerable to su***de.

https://zerosu***desnh.org/blog/nh-coalition-for-su***de-prevention-spring-newsletter

We are a coalition of member groups seeking to enact change towards zero su***de by advocating for the prevention of all su***des all the time.

03/27/2026

There are moments when public health calls on us not just to understand—but to act.

Su***de prevention is one of those moments.

On April 7, from 12:00–1:00 PM, partners across New Hampshire are coming together to offer a virtual training, “Talk Saves Lives: An Introduction to Su***de Prevention,” through the American Foundation for Su***de Prevention (AFSP).

At its core, the message is simple—and powerful: talk can save lives.

https://zerosu***desnh.org/blog/talk-saves-lives-a-timely-opportunity-to-build-awareness-and-prevent-su***de-in-new-hampshire

03/27/2026

💙💚💜 Struggling? Need to vent? Just want someone to talk to?

Free & confidential support is available 24/7 – don't hesitate to reach out for yourself, or for someone you know. You are not alone. 💙💚💜

Call/text 988 or visit NAMINH.org/crisis-lines/ for more options.

03/26/2026

NHPHA 2026 Annual Meeting: Granite Strong. Future Ready.
There are moments when public health feels like it is holding steady—and moments when it feels like everything is shifting at once.
Across New Hampshire, we are in one of those later moments of change.
Funds for new federal investments are beginning to flow. Rural health systems are being reimagined. Communities are being asked to do more—with new resources, but also new expectations. And at the center of it all is a fundamental question: how do we build a system that works—for everyone, in every part of the state?
That question is at the heart of the conversation at New Hampshire Public Health Association’s 2026 Annual Meeting, taking place on Thursday, April 23, from 5:00–8:00 PM at the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center in Concord, NH.
This year’s theme, “Granite Strong. Future Ready: The Power of Place in Public Health,” reflects on both where we are and where we need to go—grounded in the strengths and needs of our communities and clear-eyed about the work ahead.

NHPHA’s 2026 Annual Meeting takes place on April 23 in Concord, NH. Join us for an evening of networking, student research, partner awards, and rural health dialogue.

03/24/2026

An official New Hampshire Government web site.

03/16/2026

GO-NORTH: NH Launches a Billion-Dollar Investment in Rural Health:

Recently, New Hampshire lawmakers approved a major federal investment that could shape health care access — and affordability — across the state for years to come.

Legislative budget writers accepted $204 million in federal Rural Health Transformation Funds (RHTF), allowing the state to begin hiring staff and preparing to award contracts to organizations workin

g to improve care in the North Country and other rural areas. The new federal funding is part of a broader federal rural health initiative approved by Congress last year, and New Hampshire received the largest first-year award of any New England state. The $204 million award is eligible to be renewed for five years - if key outcomes are achieved - for a total allocation of just over a billion dollars.

This investment matters — not only for rural communities, but for the entire New Hampshire health care system.

New Hampshire launches GO-NORTH, a $204M rural health initiative that could reach $1B. Leaders debate oversight as the state prepares to fund workforce, care access, and infrastructure.

03/14/2026

How Juvenile Court Diversion Transforms Youth Justice:

When a young person gets into trouble with the law, what happens next can affect the entire trajectory of their life. For many youth in New Hampshire, juvenile court diversion programs offer a chance to make things right without stepping into a courtroom or going deeper into the judicial system.

The New Hampshire Juvenile Court Diversion Network, a statewide 501(c)(3) organization that accredits diversion programs, trains practitioners, and partners with state agencies, has coordinated this community-based work since 1994. The New Hampshire Center for Justice & Equity (NHCJE) spoke with Executive Director Alissa Cannon about how this network supports a vision of youth justice rooted in accountability, equity, and community connection.

Juvenile court diversion programs in New Hampshire help youth avoid the justice system through restorative practices, community support, and accountability.