Suicide Is Preventable, Resources Available And All Need To Help, Governor Says

By PAULA TRACY, InDepthNH

CONCORD, NH — On Monday, Gov. Kelly Ayotte joined leaders in suicide prevention in New Hampshire — including a mother whose daughter struggles with suicide ideation — urging people to lean into services available as part of National Suicide Prevention Month.

Representatives from the state Department of Health and Human Services, the New Hampshire Suicide Prevention Council, and the National Alliance on Mental Illness-NH all attended the press conference in the Executive Council chamber at the State House.

They learned about and highlighted progress in reaching out and improving mental health access, including efforts to reduce emergency room boarding, the state's 10-year Mental Health campaign, a coalition aimed at stopping suicides on the Interstate 95 Bridge in Portsmouth, and a new effort, the "Strong as Granite" campaign to help reduce stigma attached to mental illness.

Ayotte read a proclamation and thanked those attending for "this important work. This is an important month. It is not just about a proclamation, it is about saving lives," she said, "reaching out to everyone we know and saying 'it is OK,'" to seek help.

"Every suicide creates a hole that cannot ever be filled," Ayotte said, "and we can all play a role to make sure no one feels alone."

Ayotte urged parents, teachers, and coaches to "ask the hard questions. If you have that feeling in your gut, this is a time to reach out," Ayotte said.

Suicide is the second leading cause of death among those who are age 15-34, and those who commit it are more often men then women.

"Every citizen has a responsibility," Ayotte said to strengthen efforts to prevent suicide.

NAMI NH Executive Director Susan Stearns said her grassroot organization served over 50,000 folks last year, made possible by its 53 staff and many volunteers.

Stearns said the governor has been a steadfast supporter and thanked her for creation of a commission working on the Interstate 95 Bridge in Portsmouth where a number of recent suicides have been committed.

She also gave a shout-out to first responders and those on the front lines who help people cope with such an unimaginable loss.

Stearns thanked Commissioner Lori Weaver for dealing with the state's emergency room boarding crisis where those who need mental help have to wait in a hospital to find a bed for mental health care.

Those who have faced such thoughts of suicide have said the reasons for living are often based in family, friends, and pets.

"We all have a role to play, reminding everyone that they belong and perhaps make that call to 9-8-8 for help," Stearns said.

Jessica Renda, who works in peer and family support at NAMI-NH, said she became involved after being a mother to a daughter who has struggled.

She said she has five girls her eldest has struggled with suicidal ideation.

She said making that first call for help offered "a quick sense of relief and hope" and the offering of resources which have been invaluable to her daughter who struggles still and will from time to time call 9-8-8. Depending on the situation, first responders have come to their home and support has been there.

She said she has come to know that this issue with her daughter "will always be there" and while the stigma is easing there is still room for improvement.

Also speaking was DHHS Commissioner Weaver.

She spoke of the progress the state has made but still 46,000 phone calls, texts and chats were reached in 2024 alone.

She said the new "Strong as Granite Campaign" is about awareness and building strength and building a stronger and more connected state.

The state's 22nd annual suicide prevention conference will occur on Nov. 13 at Manchester's Puritan Backroom, entitled "Every Voice Matters." For more information visit preventsuicidenh.org

If you or someone you know needs immediate support, you can call, text, or chat confidentially with a trained crisis worker 24/7 through 988 at no cost.

To connect with free non-crisis NH mental health resources and support, contact NAMI NH's Info & Resource Line at 1-800-242-6264 (press 4) or info@NAMINH.org.

This article first appeared on InDepthNH.org and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.