NH Delegation Announces $ 400,000 for Greater Manchester Mental Health Center to Address Youth Trauma

June 29, 2021

(Washington, DC) – US Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and United States Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Representatives Annie Kuster (NH-02) and Chris Pappas (NH-01) today announced that the Greater Manchester Mental Health Center (MHCGM) will receive 400,000 $ to help address negative experiences of young people associated with exposure to trauma.

Specifically, funding was allocated through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative, which Senator Shaheen supports as part of the annual allocation process for credits. The funding will support MHCGM’s Trauma Recovery through Evidence-based Access and Treatment (TREAT) project, which aims to improve access and treatment for young people in Manchester by creating a trauma-informed community of support through member training community, childcare system workers, and police, enable MHCGM to hire additional mental and behavioral health providers, and implement effective, evidence-based treatment.

“We know that traumatic experiences can have devastating long-term effects on children. As New Hampshire continues to grapple with traumatic crises like COVID-19 and the epidemic of substance use disorders, ensure our communities have the resources they need to support those who are suffering – especially children and adolescents – must be a priority ”, said Senator Shaheen. “This federal funding is a much needed investment in the Greater Manchester Mental Health Center to help prevent and treat youth trauma, ensuring that young people can lead healthy and fulfilling lives.”

“I have heard advocates and parents in New Hampshire talk about the urgent need for more resources to address childhood trauma, a problem that has become particularly acute during the pandemic,” said Senator Hassan. “This federal funding is badly needed and is great news for the Greater Manchester Mental Health Center as it continues to build on its work serving the children of our state and ensuring they receive care. that they need. I look forward to continuing to push for legislation in Congress that will address the mental health needs of our youth. “

“Treating childhood trauma with evidence-based treatment is essential to ensure that every child in Granite State has the opportunity and the support they need to thrive.” said Representative Kuster. “I am pleased that the Greater Manchester Mental Health Center has received this important funding through the National Child Traumatic Stress Initiative, and I will continue to work in Congress to provide much needed support to trauma and health care providers. mental health of New Hampshire. “

“Early exposure to trauma has lifelong effects on children that can be incredibly damaging to their development if left untreated and treated.” said representative Pappas. “As we continue to recover from a pandemic that has created a host of new challenges for our young people to overcome, this federal funding for the Greater Manchester Mental Health Center is a significant investment that will help mitigate the impacts of childhood traumatic exposure and ensure that children not only recover from these experiences, but thrive throughout their lives.

Shaheen has worked to address the impacts of trauma on children. Along with Congressman Pappas, Shaheen presented the National ACERT Grant Program Authorization Act, which would provide federal resources to communities to deal with the adverse childhood experiences associated with exposure to trauma. By helping to establish programs that allow law enforcement and first responders to connect with local specialists and childcare professionals, Legislation Resources would facilitate early intervention to help mitigate harm. impacts of childhood trauma.