Mental Health Awareness Month 2025 – Community Connections
Mental Health Awareness Month (MHAM) takes place every May to recognize the importance of mental health, raise awareness of wellness in the lives of Americans, and celebrate those who have recovered from mental illness. 2025 marked the 76th year of this national commemoration.
Riverbend celebrated Mental Health Awareness Month through events reaching the public, key stakeholders and staff. Community support from local businesses and organizations – including Gold Sponsor Harvard Pilgrim Health Care – help us produce this programming and help serve our clients throughout our 30-community service area in central New Hampshire.
This year’s programming included:
- A community workout and walk. Community members joined with our InSHAPE fitness team for a free session combining education, a community walk and a mini strength and stretch workout in White Park.
- A May 15 community training focused on understanding the presentation of a mental health or substance abuse disorder, and sharing skills to support individuals in crisis. Riverbend clinicians provided valuable information to a variety of community groups that come into contact with those in crisis. Representatives from more than a dozen organizations, law enforcement, city government, higher education, the faith community and human services were all in attendance for this valuable four-hour training.
- Riverbend supporters and Board members attended a donor appreciation event on May 21. Supporters heard updates on our work from our president & CEO Lisa Madden and a personal story from a Riverbend client on how Riverbend has helped him progress on his mental health journey, plus perspectives from our residential staff on the value of Riverbend’s housing program to the community.