“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.

“Seacoast Mental Health Center selected for Goodwill’s 2010-2011 Good Neighbor Program”

Portsmouth, NH—July 14, 2010— Seacoast Mental Health Center (SMHC) has been selected by Goodwill Industries of Northern New England as a partner for its 2010-2011 Good Neighbor Program.

The Good Neighbor Program provides partner agencies with vouchers to be distributed to clients and then redeemed at local Goodwill stores.

Jay Couture, SMHC Executive Director, said the vouchers will prove instrumental in the agency’s ability to help many of its low-income clients “fill in the gaps.”

“Often times, our clients require assistance in obtaining household items or clothing for their kids or for a job interview through our Supported Employment program, Career Focus,” said Couture. “With this selection, we will be able to help many of our clients take care of these basic needs, which ultimately will improve our effectiveness as an agency.”

To learn more about Goodwill Industries of Northern New England, visit www.goodwillnnne.org.

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.

“Seacoast Mental Health Center awarded $2,500 grant from The Agnes M. Lindsay Trust”

Portsmouth, NH—July 12, 2010— Seacoast Mental Health Center (SMHC) was recently awarded a $2,500 grant from The Agnes M. Lindsay Trust in support of its new agency website at www.smhc-nh.org.

According to SMHC Executive Director, Jay Couture, the grant will be applied toward the purchase of a new computer, monitor, and software, which she said will enable the agency to manage the new website “in-house.”

Noting the purchase of this technology will save the agency thousands of dollars in the long-term, Couture said the grant is crucial to SMHC’s mission.

“A truly interactive and functional website will improve the level of care we offer our clients—this is an important step for us,” said Couture, who credited Tide Mill Studio in Portsmouth as instrumental in helping to develop the new website.

“Tide Mill Studio donated a substantial amount of time and expertise to this project,” said Couture. “We are grateful to them and the Agnes M. Lindsay Trust for making all this possible.”

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.

Portsmouth, NH—July 8, 2010—Seacoast Mental Health Center (SMHC), a non-profit organization of more than 150 staff, elected its new Board at a recent Board of Director’s meeting.

Nike Speltz, who has worked for the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation and the Cabot Family Charitable Trust, was named President. Other elected executive committee members include: Vice President John Pendleton, attorney and principal for Dwyer, Donovan & Pendleton, P.A.; Treasurer Jason Coleman, human resources systems manager for the New Hampshire Air National Guard; and Secretary Paul Sorli, proprietor of the Portsmouth Gas Light Company.

 “We are very fortunate to have a Board so committed to our work at Seacoast Mental Health Center,” said Jay Couture, SMHC executive director. “Their expertise and guidance are instrumental in our ongoing mission to address the mental health needs of all Seacoast residents.

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.

“Seacoast Mental Health Center asking for people to share recovery stories”

Portsmouth, NH—June 16, 2010—Seacoast Mental Health Center (SMHC) is asking for persons willing to share their recovery stories to contact them for inclusion in an upcoming agency video to be posted on its website at www.smhc-nh.org.

According to SMHC Executive Director Jay Couture, the video will feature both staff members and community residents in an effort to better explain the agency, its services, and mental health in general.

In addition to the video, SMHC plans on launching a new website in early July.

“We work with thousands of individuals and families each year to help them reach their recovery goals,” said Couture. “ We want people to know that recovery from mental illness is possible.”

For more information or to contact SMHC regarding your own personal recovery story, please call (603) 431-6703 or email video@smhc-nh.org.

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

“Texas Roadhouse to Host Community Fundraiser Night for Seacoast Mental Health Center.”

Portsmouth, NH, 6/15/10—On July 1st from 4pm to 10pm, Texas Roadhouse will host a Community Fundraiser Night to benefit Seacoast Mental Health Center (SMHC)

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

Noting this is the first event of its kind to benefit the Center, SMHC Executive Director Jay Couture expressed excitement at the opportunity.

“This is a great way to engage the community,” said Couture. “It’s fun, it’s simple, and any money donated will directly benefit those we serve.”

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.

“Seacoast Mental Health Center’s (SMHC) Adult Outpatient Program (AOP) receives $2,400 Community Grant from CVS Caremark.”

 Portsmouth, NH, April 15, 2010—Seacoast Mental Health Center’s (SMHC) Adult Outpatient Program (AOP) recently received a $2,400 Community Grant from CVS Caremark.

 Serving 759 persons in the past year, AOP provides a comprehensive 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; substance abuse screening and referral, and various other consulting and referral services. In addition, SMHC offers 24/7 emergency services for those in crisis.

“This grant from CVS Trademark provides us with a big boost in our ongoing efforts to help Seacoast adults get their emotional lives back on track both in their relationships and in the community,” said Dr. Karen Pearson, AOP director.

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

“Seacoast Mental Health Center’s (SMHC) “Helping Hands” awarded $1,000 grant from The Guild at Portsmouth Regional Hospital.”

Portsmouth, NH, April 6, 2010—Seacoast Mental Health Center (SMHC) has been awarded a $1000 grant from The Guild at Portsmouth Regional Hospital in support of its Helping Hands fund.

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

In addition to paying for emergency expenses, Helping Hands subsidizes the costs associated with enrichment activities and related supplies to help client families and their children build a sense of competency as they work to achieve their recovery goals.

“It helps fill in the gaps for those who are unable to obtain funding for family needs through more traditional resources,” said Jay Couture, SMHC’s executive director. “We appreciate The Guild’s continued support through the years in helping us promote the overall stability of deserving Seacoast families and their children.”

To learn more about Helping Hands or to make a donation, please call (603) 431-6703, or visit www.smhc-nh.org.