Mission

Towards Zero Suicides NH promotes suicide prevention through education, connection, and access to support, with a focus on New Hampshire veterans and first responders living with traumatic brain injury (TBI).

A brain injury can affect mental health, relationships, and everyday life. Recognizing these challenges and connecting people with support are essential steps toward preventing suicide.

In partnership with the Brain Injury Association of New Hampshire (BIANH), we work to:

  • Provide brain injury resources and support to veterans, first responders, their families, and caregivers.

  • Help families navigate New Hampshire’s civilian brain injury care system through BIANH Neuro-Resource Facilitation.

  • Offer education and training to recognize suicide warning signs and connect people with help.

  • Create opportunities for peer connection and community support to reduce isolation.

  • Advocate against societal messages and laws that normalize suicide as a solution to hardship, disability, or other life challenges.

Those who serve our country and communities deserve care, understanding, and hope. Together, we can strengthen support for individuals affected by TBI, encourage help-seeking, and work toward zero suicides in New Hampshire.

Core Values and Principles:

  1. Advance a shared goal of zero suicides among veterans and first responders. Work alongside the New Hampshire State Suicide Prevention Council, veterans’ organizations, emergency services agencies, and community partners to strengthen prevention, with particular attention to those living with traumatic brain injury (TBI).

  2. Bring prevention to the places veterans and first responders connect. Extend Zero Suicide principles into veterans’ service organizations, police and fire departments, EMS agencies, peer networks, and home and community-based services. Equip these settings to recognize warning signs and connect individuals with help.

  3. Build trust, connection, and a culture of help-seeking. Address stigma and concerns about privacy, careers, and professional standing that may discourage seeking support. Encourage early conversations and peer support from people who understand military service and emergency response work.

  4. Improve access to sustained, coordinated care. Help veterans and first responders access brain injury rehabilitation, mental health care, substance use treatment, and long-term supports. Strengthen coordination among VA, civilian, and community services, including through BIANH Neuro-Resource Facilitation. Support continuity of care after injury, during recovery, and through separation from service or retirement.

  5. Support individuals, families, and caregivers. Address the whole person’s needs, including trauma, chronic pain, changes associated with TBI, isolation, and co-occurring conditions. Give families and caregivers education, practical resources, and opportunities for connection so they can recognize concerns and help their loved ones access support.

  6. Protect policies that strengthen prevention and hope. Advocate for policies that improve access to confidential care, rehabilitation, and ongoing support for veterans and first responders. Oppose measures that weaken suicide prevention, create barriers to services, or normalize suicide as a response to disability or hardship.

  7. Strengthen funding and measure progress. Expand sustainable funding for prevention, TBI education, peer support, and coordinated services for New Hampshire veterans and first responders. Include their voices—and those of families and caregivers—in planning, and use data to identify gaps and improve support.