May 4 Webinar / Fate of State Mental Health Bills

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The Executive Director of the National Alliance On Mental Illness/New Hampshire, Ken Norton, has recently emailed Seacoast Pathways Clubhouse, a free, non-clinical mental health program in Portsmouth, as part of an extensive outreach effort to all concerned organizations and citizens who care about mental health in the state of New Hampshire. The following is taken directly from his email and Seacoast Pathways is doing its part in spreading the word here...

"Hello all, The Senate Finance Committee has announced the virtual public hearing for HB 1 and HB 2 (budget bills) on Tues May 4, 2021 at 1pm. This will be the final public hearing for the FY 22/23 budget. Given the cuts made by the House to additional funding for a new forensic hospital and other issues we will be encouraging people to sign in in opposition – though you can also leave that blank. We can generally call for increased funding for MH services (Governor’s budget) or simply stress some of the key issues below which have been exacerbated by the pandemic. People will likely be limited to 2 possibly 3 minutes
We will want to focus on a few things:

• ED Boarding
• 10 year mental health plan
• Statewide mobile crisis response
• Children’s mental health (New Futures will be turning people out for that as well)
• Forensic hospital
• MH training for law enforcement and first responders

People who are willing to tell their personal stories will be key but any support is greatly appreciated!
More details to follow, but I wanted to let you all know ASAP
To sign up to testify or for a link to send in written testimony go here:
For Bills with Hearings Before SENATE Committees:
http://gencourt.state.nh.us/re...
* Some bills have already crossed over, so the bill prefix (i.e. SB/HB) will not necessarily correspond to the body (Senate/House) in which the bill has a hearing.
NAMI NH will submit our official organizational position on legislation. Please be certain to make the following selections when completing the above form:

• I am: Member of the Public
• I’m representing: Myself

If you would like additional information, or assistance in drafting testimony, please contact advocacy@NAMINH.org.
Links to the hearing are below
Sen. Daniels (C), Sen. Reagan (VC), Sen. Giuda, Sen. Hennessey, Sen. Morse, Sen. D’Allesandro, Sen. Rosenwald 1:00 p.m. HB 1-A, making appropriations for the expenses of certain departments of the state for fiscal years ending June 30, 2022 and June 30, 2023. HB 2-FN-A-L, relative to state fees, funds, revenues, and expenditures. 6:00 p.m. HB 1-A, making appropriations for the expenses of certain departments of the state for fiscal years ending June 30, 2022 and June 30, 2023. HB 2-FN-A-L, relative to state fees, funds, revenues, and expenditures.
Members of the public may attend using the following links:

• To join the webinar: https://www.zoom.us/j/95006733265
• Or Telephone: Dial (for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location): 1-301-715-8592, or 1-312-626-6799, or 1-929-205-6099, or 1-253-215-8782, or 1-346-248-7799, or 1-669-900-6833
• Or iPhone one-tap: 19292056099,,95006733265# or 13017158592,,95006733265# 22 Important Notice Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the General Court is conducting legislative activities remotely with the exception of publicly noticed sessions in the House or Senate Calendar. During this time, the State House and Legislative Office Building remain closed to visitors.
• Webinar ID: 950 0673 3265 5. To view on YouTube, click here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjBZdtrjRnQdmg-2MPMiWrA The following email will be monitored throughout the meeting by someone who can assist with and alert the committee to any technical issues: remotesenate@leg.state. nh.us or call (603-271-6931).

If you would like additional information, or assistance in drafting testimony, please contact advocacy@NAMINH.org.
Ken Norton, Executive Director/N.A.M.I. New Hampshire

Seacoast Pathways is a free, non-clinical mental health recovery center for adults in Portsmouth, NH. Join our cause! Become a subscriber, supporter, advertiser, or all three, for this newsletter.
For futher info please call 603-969-2968 or email seacoastpathways@gmail.com