YouthWell New Hampshire

Our journey began with a commitment from Beth and Brad Kreick, our founders, to form a nonprofit organization focused on addressing behavioral and mental health issues affecting young people in our state. YouthWell New Hampshire was formed because NH's young people need our help. In 2022, The US Surgeon General declared that our youth are facing a mental health emergency. The statistics are staggering. Here in New Hampshire, suicide is the leading cause of death for children ages 10-14 and the second leading cause of death for those age 15-34. LGBTQ+ youth are four times more likely to attempt suicide than their peers. According to the 2021 NH Youth Risk Behavior Survey data, more than 44% of students reported persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness, 24.7% of high school students seriously considered suicide, 19.3% made a plan for suicide, and 9.8% attempted suicide in the 12 months preceding the survey. For LGBTQ+ youth these percentages are even higher.

As a society, we need to do better when it comes to mental health. At a minimum, we need to provide the necessary access to treatment and supports in a timely manner. And we ALL need to do our part to provide caring, nurturing guidance and unconditional love that our young people need to be well and to thrive.

YouthWell supports our community as a funding source for youth mental health and behavioral health programs, services and initiatives that positively impact and improve youth health. To include emotional and chronic mental health issues as well as struggles with substance misuse as we know they go hand and hand. We wish to focus on prevention, education and treatment offerings. Additionally, YouthWell will foster partnerships and assist youth serving organizations beyond funding to help with their missions addressing youth mental health. Finally, we will advocate for effective and sustainable solutions to improve the mental health and wellbeing of New Hampshire's youth. We will make sure to stay on top of any policies and legislation that impacts youth mental health and lend our voices accordingly.

Please visit our website to learn more https://youthwellnh.org 

We are so honored and pleased to recognize the incredible Board of Directors of YouthWell New Hampshire that provide us with expertise and guidance in the governance of the organization. YouthWell is supported by a dedicated group of volunteer board members representing years of experience in education, healthcare and behavioral health services. Beth Kreick, Co-Founder and Board Chair, Sarah Austin, Treasurer, and Senior Manager of Finance at X4 Pharmaceuticals, Tricia Brannen, Executive Director and Board Secretary, our directors: The Honorable John Broderick, Dartmouth-Health Sr. Director of External Affairs, Jeanna Still, Director of Child and Adolescent Services at the Mental Health Center of Greater Manchester, Dr. Holly Mintz, Pediatrician, and Chief Medical Officer of Ambulatory Services at the Elliot Health System, Joe Daley, Educator at Saint Christopher Academy, Carol Kreick, retired Souhegan High School Director of Guidance, and Colin McHugh, President/CEO, Southern New Hampshire Health. 

The Village, our volunteer program.

Get Involved – YouthWell New Hampshire (youthwellnh.org)

Thank you for considering YouthWell New Hampshire in your gift giving this year. We greatly appreciate your kindness and support!