NH Governor Lynch visits SMHC

For Immediate Release “NH Governor John Lynch visits Seacoast Mental Health Center (SMHC)” Portsmouth, NH, 4/20/11—On Wednesday, April 20th, NH Governor John Lynch met with clinical and administrative staff at Seacoast Mental Health Center (SMHC) to discuss the agency’s community mental health services and how they would be affected by proposed budget cuts.

According to Nike Speltz, SMHC board president, the meeting provided staff with the unique opportunity to discuss the complex nature of community mental health services and the critical need for continued funding.

“While SMHC addresses immediate needs, a significant portion of those we work with require ongoing support and medication and their care could involve therapists, psychiatrists, supported employment specialists, and case managers,” said Speltz. “The term, community mental health services, means we’re in schools, health care centers, and in the home.

Noting Governor Lynch requested to meet with staff to learn more about their work and concerns, Speltz expressed gratitude for his time.

“The staff and board very much appreciate Governor Lynch’s support for the Community Mental Health system statewide and his demonstration of interest in the community mental health services we offer through SMHC to nearly 5,000 individuals and families each year,” she said.

If proposed cuts to the current budget were passed, SMHC Executive Director Jay Couture said services would be reduced or eliminated for nearly 1,700 current SMHC clients, 1200 adults and 500 children.

“This is very serious, because there are no other organizations like SMHC serving the 24 towns of eastern Rockingham County,” Couture said. “Our goal it to help individuals live independently as contributing members of our community. The proposed budget cuts jeopardize the well-being of everyone in the state.”

Jodie Lubarsky, director of SMHC’s Children, Adolescent and Family Services department, estimates that without access to SMHC services, many current SMHC clients would eventually require hospitalization at some point.

“Many of the people we see require ongoing support, but with effective treatment they can lead rich, fulfilling lives,” she said. “If we were to deny them service, their condition would only worsen and the likelihood for recovery would be severely diminished.”

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

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