Our journey started with a commitment and desire to make a positive difference in addressing behavioral health issues in our state. Our founders, Brad and Beth Kreick, committed to establishing a nonprofit organization focusing on behavioral health. Our work began by meeting with stakeholders to understand the mental health landscape in New Hampshire and learn about the needs in our communities.
We quickly learned there are many factors impacting the mental health crisis, including workforce shortages, treatment and housing obstacles, societal and cultural influences, and the unprecedented pressures and stressors on young people. Who are suffering from mental health challenges now, more than at any other time in our history.
Based on all we learned we knew that we wanted to focus our efforts on addressing youth mental health issues. And that is when YouthWell New Hampshire was born. We are eager to make a difference and to be a part of the vision and intention to positively impact the mental health challenges for youth in New Hampshire.
YouthWell is here to support our communities by providing an easy alternative funding source for programs and services provided by already existing organizations that directly impact youth mental health in New Hampshire. As well as partner and assist these organizations beyond funding in any way we can to help make their mission become a reality. Additionally, we add our voices to efforts that advocate for effective and sustainable solutions to improve the mental health and wellbeing of our young people.
To say the statistics on youth mental health are troubling, would be an absolute understatement. The statistics are devastating.
Suicide is the second leading cause of death for individuals ages 10-34.
- In New Hampshire, 15,000 youth ages 12-17 have depression
- Between 2007 and 2018, suicide increased 57.4 percent in
10–24- year-olds
- In one survey of high school students, one in three youth reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness and one in five seriously considered suicide
Results from the 2021 Youth Risk Behavioral Survey (YRBS) show that:
- 24.7% (nearly one fourth) of NH high school students seriously considered suicide
- 19.3% made a plan for suicide
- 9.8% attempted suicide in the 12 months preceding the survey
NOTE: These are a significant increase over the 2019 numbers.
In 2022:
- 72% of LGBTQ youth in NH reported experiencing symptoms of anxiety
- 55% of LGBTQ youth reported experiencing symptoms of depression
- 39% of LGBTQ youth seriously considered suicide
- 10% attempted suicide
YouthWell New Hampshire wants to improve the lives of young people so they can receive the support they need to be well and to thrive. We are dedicated to this mission and have hope for the future.
Note: statistics above taken from National Center for Injury Prevention and Control at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2021 YRBS and 2022 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health in New Hampshire.
