U.S. Rep. Annie Kuster (NH-02) announced that Susan Stearns, Executive Director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) New Hampshire, will be her guest to the State of the Union to highlight the importance of mental health resources for communities across New Hampshire. As founder and co-chair of the Bipartisan Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Task Force, Kuster is a leading voice to expand access to recovery services and ensure every Granite Stater has the support they need to thrive.

Through the 2022 government funding package, Kuster secured $380,000 for NAMI NH’s Connect Suicide Prevention Program to increase capacity and expand awareness of suicide prevention across NH.

“The emotional and mental well-being of New Hampshire residents directly impacts the strength and resilience of our communities and economy,” said Kuster. “The COVID-19 pandemic pulled back the curtain on the need for expanded access to mental health support — whether for students returning to school or parents returning to the workforce. I am thrilled to have Susan join me as my guest for the President’s State of the Union address and to highlight the critical importance of mental health for New Hampshire. Together, we will work to end the stigma around mental health treatment and deliver better care for all.”

“I am honored to represent NAMI New Hampshire as Congresswoman Kuster’s guest at this year’s State of the Union address,” said Susan Stearns, Executive Director of NAMI NH. “We are grateful for the Congresswoman’s steadfast support of Granite Staters affected by mental illness and suicide – including her assistance in securing a Congressional Directive Spending Project to expand access to NAMI NH’s nationally recognized best-practice Connect Suicide Prevention Program. While our collective mental health needs have never been greater, I am heartened that these issues are being thoughtfully addressed by so many, and leaders like Rep. Kuster are raising the critical importance of mental health and suicide prevention in our national dialogue. While these times are challenging, we know that our collective efforts will bring mental illness and suicide out of the shadows – changing, and even saving, lives.”

Kuster is a proud supporter and partner of NAMI New Hampshire in their work to provide support, education, and advocacy for people affected by mental illness and suicide. In Congress, Kuster has championed legislation to increase access to mental health services and strengthen the mental health workforce in New Hampshire and beyond.

Newsletter