Champions For Mental Health – 2023

Join us on Tuesday, October 24 for the 17^th annual Champions for Mental Health awards ceremony, honoring John Barthelmes!

Each year, Riverbend Community Mental Health recognizes an individual in central New Hampshire who advocates for greater access to mental health services; contributes extraordinary time, to talent or treasure to improve the lives of people with mental illness; or publicly gives voice to those with mental illness, helping eliminate the stigma and stereotypes that can surround the disease.

John Barthelmes spent decades in the New Hampshire State Police and state government, leading efforts to help members of our community afflicted with mental health and substance abuse conditions. From witnessing crisis incidents early in his career as a state trooper, to numerous senior leadership roles working to reduce the usage and availability of drugs both in New Hampshire and throughout New England, John sought to raise awareness around the perilous link between mental health and drug abuse, strengthen available resources around mental health, and reduce drug threats. Trooper, colonel, commissioner, community volunteer, coach, concerned colleague and neighbor – John Barthelmes is all these things and now adds the title CHAMPION to his impressive legacy of public service.