Can Young Adults Thrive in New Hampshire?

Concord, NH, December 20, 2021 — The latest episode in the podcast series “The Power of Prevention” is now available. In “Supporting NH's Young Adults: Where Can Communities Put Their Energy?” featured guests are Julie Nicknair-Keon, LCMHC, with Warren Street Family Counseling Associates in Concord and Ashley Desrochers, Public Health Program Manager with the Strafford County Public Health Network. They discuss the findings of a statewide NHDHSS survey, part of the project The Voice of NH Young Adults. The survey was intended to provide insight into why NH young adults are struggling and how their unique challenges can be addressed. The two guests explore the topic and offer some potential community and business-based solutions.

According to brain research, humans are still developing physically, psychologically and socially through the age of 25. Young adults (18 – 25) are still forming mental skills that include working memory, flexible thinking, and self-control — skills needed every day to learn, work, and manage daily life. This is taking place at the same time they are leaving home, going to college, considering trades and careers, and forming lasting friendships.

Many NH young adults do not feel equipped to navigate these changes without support and resources. It follows that the NH young adults surveyed identified key issues concerning them as the state’s high cost of living, low wages, access to affordable education and training, and a lack of resources.

“When we think about young adults, they're trying to figure out so many things and their brains still aren’t fully developed. That ability to stop, think and process isn't quite there,” said Nicknair-Keon. “So, I think we have to provide it for them. I think there's, sometimes an expectation that they'll just figure it out. We're asking them to figure these things out and developmentally they're not there yet.”

“It’s coping skills, it's budgeting, it's time management, it's goal setting. There’s this goal, what are the steps that get me there? All of those things really need to be foundational,” said Desrochers. “They’re asking if I don't have those skills, how am I going to emerge into an environment where those things are needed? I need somebody to teach me how to do those things. How do I cope through this? What's a healthy way of doing that?”

“Financial insecurity plays a significant role in the health outcomes of the younger people in our region,” said Desrochers. “Looking at data, the young adults actually have less support from parents. They tend to lean on extended family members and friends.” Both guests agreed that communities, schools and employers must address the economic and social well-being of young adults to enable them to stay in the state and thrive. Some of the strategies might include transportation support systems, mentorship programs, the restoration of tech programs in school systems, life skills curriculum in schools or job sites, affordable child care options for young adults with their own young children; and access to broader substance misuse and mental health services.

This developmental stage (ages 18-25) is also a time when risk behavior appears to peak, including alcohol, tobacco and other drug misuse and emotional and mental health problems.

“Prevention and substance misuse is as simple and as complicated as we want to make it. There are absolutely proven approaches, including risk reduction, including education, for our young people,” said Nicknair-Keon. “We have to want to invest in those programs and believe that it's worth it for the success of our communities, our state and our young people. It's not just money. It's also the time and energy. It’s worth the investment.”

“Every community is different. So sometimes even what works in Rochester might not work in Dover might not work in Nome,” said Desrochers. “It might help to have conversations with leaders and just say, ‘Hey, have you thought about this population of people? Have you thought about these factors?’ Knowing the resources that are in your area and who the people that care about these things are, can also really make an impact.”

The Power of Prevention podcast series provides important information about the prevention of alcohol, tobacco and other substances. Produced by The Partnership@drugFreeNH (The Partnership), each episode features some of the great work taking place in the Granite State in the prevention arena.

The series is available on Stitcher, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Google Podcasts or at The Partnership’s website at https://drugfreenh.org/. You can subscribe to the series wherever you listen.

For more information and resources visit The Partnership at https://drugfreenh.org/.

About the Guests

Ashley L. Desrochers, Public Health Program Manager for Strafford County Public Health Network, has worked in the field of prevention, intervention and treatment for seven years. During the pandemic she harnessed her previous background in crisis work to serve on two emergency operation teams in her region. Prior to starting her career in public health and social services, she graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Women's Studies. She serves on two boards of directors.

Julie Nicknair-Keon, Julie is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) in New Hampshire and a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC). She has over 25 years of counseling experience in a variety of settings using a holistic, strength-based, and person-centered approach. Julie’s practice primarily relies on a variety of techniques including Mindfulness, Acceptance, Cognitive Behavioral and Sensorimotor therapies, as well as providing educational understanding regarding one’s personal development and overall health and wellbeing. Julie believes in embracing one’s humanness. She considers herself a generalist treating individuals with varying challenges/experiences including but not limited to anxiety, depression, grief, life changes, and trauma. She has a particular interest in working with older adolescents, young adults, adults, and first responders.

About the Partnership

The Partnership is a public-private collaboration between the NH Department of Health and Human Services’ Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Services (BDAS), the NH Governor’s Commission on Alcohol & Other Drugs, the NH Charitable Foundation, the NH Center for Excellence/JSI.

The Partnership provides information and skills individuals need to make and support positive, healthy decisions around the use of alcohol, tobacco and other substances.