For Immediate Release 

“SMHC receives $1,000 from Liberty Mutual Group” 

Portsmouth,NH, December 13, 2011—Seacoast Mental Health Center (SMHC) recently received $1,000 from Liberty Mutual Group in support of its Seacoast Community Bridges program. 

Established in 1994, Seacoast Community Bridges pairs volunteers with consumers for non-clinical support, assistance, and friendship based on age, areas of mutual interest, and geographic proximity. 

Noting program demand has steadily increased through the years, Program Coordinator Wendy Segit expressed gratitude for Liberty Mutual Group’s longstanding support. 

“Liberty Mutual Group understands the program and the real value a meaningful friendship can bring to someone’s life,” Segit said. “This support ensures we can continue to offer the kind of monthly programming options—going to a play, for instance—that help provide a rich experience for both volunteers and our consumers.” 

For more information about Seacoast Community Bridges, call (603) 431-6703. 

Founded in 1963, SMHC provides comprehensive psychiatry, counseling, case management and psychological services to all residents located within the eastern half ofRockinghamCounty. 

To learn more about SMHC, visit www.smhc-nh.org.

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For Immediate Release 

“SMHC Awarded Grant from UNH Institute of Disability”

Portsmouth, NH—November 14, 2011—Seacoast Mental Health Center (SMHC) recently received a grant in support of its Career Focus program to help organize and plan a series of Asset Building/Financial Literacy workshops to its clients. 

According to Employment Coordinator Dave Smith, SMHC will work closely with Rockingham Community Action and Northwestern Mutual in what he refers to as “an amazing opportunity.” 

“Within the Career Focus program, we work hard to help clients not just get a job, but secure meaningful employment within an overall career path,” said Smith. “The collaborative nature of this grant will enable us to provide eligible clients with education and resources we could not provide on our own.”

Smith noted the grant’s primary objective is to better connect asset-building resources to state-designated priority populations whom he said are often the most vulnerable.

“It’s great to help clients develop their careers, but it’s even better if we can help them develop their assets to better position them for future financial stability, which research shows can significantly impact their overall health,” said Smith. 

UNH Institute of Disability projects are supported by funds from the Granite State Employment Project,New Hampshire’s Medicaid Infrastructure Grant, made possible by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

To learn more about Career Focus or SMHC’s other programs and services, visit www.smhc-nh.org.

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Couture will be honored at Celebration for Mental Health

MANCHESTER — The Mental Health Center of Greater Manchester will host the12th Annual Celebration for Mental Health on Monday, October 24, at The Derryfield Country Club in Manchester. Honored that evening will be Jay Couture, the Executive Director of Seacoast Mental Health Center as this year’s recipient of The Center’s Wheelock-Nardi Advocacy Award.

The keynote speaker for the evening will be John T. Broderick, Jr., Dean of the University of New Hampshire School of Law and former Chief Justice of the New Hampshire Supreme Court.

Couture has more than twenty-five years of progressive experience in New Hampshire’s community mental health system, serving in her current role since 2002. Couture currently serves as President of the New Hampshire Community Behavioral Health Association and was an active member of the task force that developed the Ten Year Plan — “Addressing the Critical Mental Health Needs of NH’s Citizens: A Strategy for Restoration.” She was recognized as a most effective advocate for persons affected by mental illness during the recent legislative session.

Couture received her Bachelor’s Degree in Child and Family Studies and her Masters in Health Administration from the University of New Hampshire. She currently is a member of the Endowment for Health Advisory Council and the UNH Health Management and Policy Advisory Committee.

The Mental Health Center of Greater Manchester served nearly 11,000 children, adults and seniors last year. Proceeds from the annual dinner support The Center’s ability to provide discounted and charity care for community members in need. Ticket purchases or table reservations for the 12th Annual Celebration and Dinner can be made by contacting The Center’s Development office at lenanema@mhcgm.org or by calling 603.668.4111 ext. 4117. Sponsorship opportunities are also available for this fundraising event.

For Immediate Release

“Seacoast Mental Health Center and New Hampshire Art Association to host Art of Recovery Celebration Kick Off Event”

Portsmouth, NH, June 2, 2011—Seacoast Mental Health Center (SMHC) and the New Hampshire Art Association (NHAA) will host a Kick-Off Event for the First Annual Art of Recovery Celebration on Thursday, June 23rd at the Portsmouth Gas Light Co. in Portsmouth.

Celebrating art and the positive role creativity plays in the recovery process, the Art of Recovery Celebration will feature “teams” of NHAA members and individuals from the SMHC community. Together, these teams will collaborate through 2011 and into 2012 to create artwork that will be displayed and sold at the May 2012 Art of Recovery Event and Auction.

At this Kick Off Event, the participants will be introduced and samples of their original artwork will be shown.

According to SMHC Executive Director Jay Couture, the use of the recovery concept acknowledges “everyone has had challenges to overcome in their lives.”

“Whether it’s a mental illness, the loss of a loved one, or a change in life circumstances, the point is people can and do recover,” she said. “The Art of Recovery Celebration highlights the fact that creativity and an open mind are critical to this recovery process.”

Katherine Muth, NHAA’s new executive director, expressed excitement regarding the collaboration.

“This is very exciting on a number of different levels,” said Muth. “First, this collaboration will help produce amazing art and highlight the talents of many creative people. I’m also very pleased to be working with SMHC. I believe we are forming a true partnership that will benefit both organizations.”

Proceeds from the Art of Recovery Celebration will benefit both SMHC and NHAA.

In addition to the Kick-Off Event, mini-showings of selected works in progress will take place at the NHAA gallery.

At the Kick Off Event, hors d’ouevres will be served and a cash bar will be available. Tickets are $25 and may be purchased online at www.smhc-nh.org.

For more information, or to become a corporate sponsor, call (603) 957-5743, or email artofrecovery@smhc-nh.org.

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For Immediate Release

 “Osram Sylvania Employees start fund to benefit Seacoast Mental Health Center.”

 Portsmouth, NH–February 23, 2011—Employees at Osram Sylvania’s Beverly, MA facility recently started the Osram Sylvania Employee Client Fund to assist Seacoast Mental Health Center (SMHC) in its efforts provide mental health care service to clients with the greatest financial need.

According to Osram Sylvania’s Peter Somssich, who started the fund, his motivation to help in part resulted from hearing how successful Osram Sylvania’s Exeter Facility had been in obtaining winter coats for deserving SMHC clients this past December.

“In particular, I realized how much such help means to SMHC clients when I saw one of the letters of thanks a coat recipient sent them,” he said. “Many of us living on the NH Seacoast know how tough economic times are for many and how state funding cut-backs have made it
even more difficult for non-profits to provide help.”

 Acknowledging these are still very difficult times for non-profits statewide, SMHC Executive Director Jay Couture said support such as that offered by the employees at Osram Sylvania is critical.

 “I can’t stress how important this support is for our Agency,” said Couture. “Not only does it enable us to address critical mental health needs of very deserving SMHC clients, but it also shows what can be accomplished with support from the community. We are all very grateful for their support.”

 Founded in 1963, SMHC provides comprehensive psychiatry, counseling, case management and psychological services to residents of all ages in the eastern half of Rockingham County, New Hampshire.   

To make a donation or learn more about SMHC, visit www.smhc-nh.org.

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Portsmouth–February 23, 2011

(Article excerpted from Portsmouth Herald)

Relationship problems are one of the leading causes of stress today, which has led Seacoast Mental Health Center (SMHC) to develop a Psychotherapy Group Program titled Discovering the Self in Relation to Others.

According to Dr. Sherie Friedrich, Psy.D, Psychology Post-Doctoral Fellow at SMHC, the intended target population for the program, which will be offered in two groups at SMHC’s Portsmouth and Exeter Offices, is quite broad.

“It’s for people who want to improve relationships and intimacy, those who value self-reflection and want to learn more about themselves in relation to others, and people who want to enhance interpersonal effectiveness—at work or in personal relationships,” she said.

Friedrich noted the program’s group treatment approach is unique from individual treatment in that individual members will serve as participants, observers and collaborators.

“The group experience affords people the opportunity to see themselves firsthand through the eyes of others, which is something individual treatment does not offer,” said Friedrich. “In a safe environment, members learn together and offer one another information that would not be received in the same way were it offered by a close friend or family member.”

She said that criterion for selection includes “the capacity for insight and self reflection, openness to utilize process to develop self-understanding, and adequate ego strength to uphold and benefit from interpersonal feedback and confrontation.”

Citing Friedrich’s extensive training and experience in facilitating group psychotherapy sessions, Dr. Karen Pearson, director of SMHC’s Adult Outpatient Program (AOP), said this new program addresses a critical, but often unmet, need within the community.

“Many of us may excel in our professional lives, but our personal lives could be another matter entirely,” said Pearson. “This program will help us reach people who are ready to take the next step in improving their relations with others, but maybe weren’t sure where to go for help.”

Discovering the Self in Relation to Others will take place through 15 group sessions at SMHC’s Portsmouth office on Tuesdays from 6:15 pm to 7:45 and Exeter Office on Wednesdays from 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm.

The cost of the program may be covered by many insurance plans and sliding-fee scales are available for qualifying individuals.

For more information about the program, please call Dr. Friedrich directly at (603) 957-5806.

To learn more about SMHC’s other programs and service, please call (603) 431-6703, or visit www.smhc-nh.org.

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“SMHC receives donation of winter coats from Osram Sylvania”

 Portsmouth, NH, December 20, 2010—Seacoast Mental Health Center (SMHC) recently received 47 winter coats to distribute to clients in need.

According to SMHC’s Dave Smith, who helped coordinate the effort to place coats with SMHC clients, the donation helped fill a critical need for the Agency.

 “At this time of year, so many of our clients just need to stay warm,” said Smith. “I want to express our deepest thanks to the employees of Osram Sylvania for helping us address this huge need during the winter months.”

Founded in 1963, SMHC provides comprehensive psychiatry, counseling, case management and psychological services to all residents located within the eastern half of Rockingham County.

To help or to learn more about SMHC, visit www.smhc-nh.org.

“Seacoast Mental Health Center’s Adult Outpatient Program (AOP) receives grant from The Rite Aid Foundation.”

Portsmouth, NH, November 8, 2010—Seacoast Mental Health Center (SMHC) recently received $5,000 from The Rite Aid Foundation in support of its Adult Outpatient Program (AOP).

Serving more than 700 persons in the past year, AOP provides a wide range of psychotherapy services to adults between the ages of 18 and 60 who do not meet the clinical criteria for state supported services.

These services include individual, couples and family psychotherapy; group psychotherapy; psychological testing; and substance abuse screening and referral. In addition, SMHC offers 24/7 emergency services for those in crisis.

According to AOP Director Dr. Karen Pearson, the support is critical to the program’s survival.

“We serve a population with real needs, but they are often under-insured or without any insurance at all,” said Dr. Pearson. “This grant ensures we can continue to help these people improve their quality of everyday life.”

To learn more about SMHC, call (603) 431-6703, or visit www.smhc-nh.org.

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“Seacoast Mental Health Center awarded $1,300 grant from the Philbrook Children’s Fund”

 Portsmouth, NH—August 10, 2010— Seacoast Mental Health Center (SMHC) was recently awarded a $1,300 grant from the Philbrook Children’s Fund of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation in support of its Helping Hands fund.

 Created through SMHC’s Child, Adolescent and Family Services (CAFS) program, Helping Hands assists families, who are CAFS clients, experiencing emergency financial difficulties.

 In addition to paying for emergency expenses, Helping Hands finances enrichment activities, including necessary school and other related supplies, to help promote the overall stability of families and their children.

Jay Couture, SMHC’s executive director, expressed gratitude for the continued support of the Philbrook Children’s Fund of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation.

“Their financial contributions have always been critical to our Helping Hands fund,” said Couture. “It is because of this funding that we can help many of our clients obtain assistance in ways not possible through more traditional resources.”

Founded in 1963, SMHC provides comprehensive psychiatry, counseling, case management and psychological services to residents located within the eastern half of Rockingham County. For more information about SMHC, visit www.smhc-nh.org, or call (603) 431-6703.

The New Hampshire Charitable Foundation serves communities throughout New Hampshire, southeastern Maine and eastern Vermont. The Foundation manages a growing collection of charitable funds created by individuals, families and corporations, and awards more than $30 million annually in grants and scholarships. The Charitable Foundation is nonpartisan, frequently playing the role of convener and catalyst on a broad spectrum of issues. Based in Concord, the Charitable Foundation roots itself in the communities through regional advisory boards. More information is available at www.nhcf.org or by calling 603-225-6641.

“Texas Roadhouse to Host Community Fundraiser Night for Seacoast Mental Health Center (SMHC)”

Portsmouth, NH, 8/10/10—On Wednesday, August 25th between 4pm and 10pm, Texas Roadhouse in Newington will host a Community Fundraiser to benefit Seacoast Mental Health Center (SMHC).

For every guest who brings an invitation or coupon, which is available at www.smhc-nh.org, 10% of the table’s proceeds will be donated to SMHC.

According to SMHC Executive Director Jay Couture, this is the second fundraising event at Texas Roadhouse due to the overwhelming success of the first one held in July.

“There was an overwhelming response both from staff and the community,” said Couture. “We appreciate the efforts made by Texas Roadhouse to support our mission.”

Founded in 1963, SMHC provides comprehensive psychiatry, counseling, case management and psychological services to all residents located within the eastern half of Rockingham County. For more information about SMHC or to download an invitation, visit www.smhc-nh.org.