While the lazy days of summer can be a welcome respite from the action-packed school year, summertime can also present challenges to maintaining support for family mental health.
New Hampshire’s Community Mental Health Centers provide services in every corner of the Granite State – get connected here. NAMI New Hampshire offers free Parent/Caregiver support groups virtually and in-person – as well as a private Facebook group for Caregivers of Children & Adolescents with Social/Emotional Challenges.
Dartmouth Health Children’s has launched Heads Up: Foundations for Youth Mental Health, an awareness series focused on children’s mental health featuring videos, toolkits and community conversations. The newly launched NH Mom Hub connects mothers and healthcare providers to compassionate, evidence-based mental health support.
NUTRITION, CHILD CARE, & RECREATION GRANTS
Summer Nutrition Programs (New Hampshire Food Bank)
Summer 2025 meal sites and details are available here.
NH Child Care Scholarship Program
Helps eligible NH families pay for child care by providing direct payments to qualified early childhood and out-of-school time providers for children under the age of 13 years old (or under 18 years old if they have a disability).
The Harry Gregg Foundation provides support grants to help the people of New Hampshire with disabilities and their families cover the cost of needed products and services. Recreation grants are available and may be applied for at any time – since they are first come, first served, it is recommended to apply early.
MENTAL HEALTH TIPS BY AGE
Supporting Your Child’s Mental Health During the Summer
Parents of Children 12 and Under During School Breaks
Topics covered include routines, activities, trips, and keeping kids connected – along with art projects (check out Meet Little Monster in English and Spanish, reading time, creative opportunities, and ways to get the wiggles out.
Parents of Teens During School Breaks
Topics covered include respecting boundaries, supporting your teen’s wellness practices, trips, and addressing the feeling of isolation.
For Teens (13-18) During School Breaks
Topics covered include respecting boundaries, scheduling wellness practices, trips, addressing the feeling of isolation, and taking on the role of supervising younger siblings.
Young Adults in College During School Breaks.
Topics covered include addressing the feeling of isolation, establishing boundaries and expectations, self-care when seeing family, supporting your mental wellness, and trips.
SUMMER FAMILY FUN
NH State Parks have sites all across New Hampshire – choose from lakes or ocean, trails or historic sites – there’s something for everyone.
Volunteer as a family – check out an age-by-age guide and volunteer ideas for teens.
Get reading – local libraries across New Hampshire offer summer reading programs (many for adults, too) that feature programs, activities, and prizes.
Visit your local playground – or explore a new option!
Road trip to one of these kid friendly NH attractions. Bonus points for working in a stop along NH’s Ice Cream Trail.
Enjoy ice cold a/c with a museum visit – check with your library for free passes or snag a NH Heritage Museum Trail Passport ($30 gets you entry to 21 different museums). Admission to the Currier Museum of Art is free to NH residents on the second Saturday each month, and several NH locations are part of Blue Star Museums.
YOU ARE NOT ALONE. CONNECT WITH SUPPORT & RESOURCES.
To connect with free (non-crisis) NH mental health resources and support for all ages, contact NAMI New Hampshire’s Info & Resource Line at 1-800-242-6264 (press 4) or info@NAMINH.org.
AMI National’s Teen and Young Adult HelpLine is available by texting “Friend” to 62640 between the hours of 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday. You don’t have to be in crisis to connect.
FOR 24/7 HELP
If you or someone you know is struggling emotionally, please reach out and get support:
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – Call or text 988 for 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals. Chat option is also available at 988lifeline.org.
Crisis Text Line – Free, 24/7 support for those in crisis. Text 741741 from anywhere in the US to text with a trained Crisis Counselor.
Veterans Crisis Line – Veterans and their loved ones can call 988 and Press 1, chat online, or send a text message to 838255 to receive confidential support.
The Trevor Project – A national 24-hour, confidential suicide hotline for LGBTQ youth. If you are a young person in crisis, feeling suicidal, or in need of a safe and judgment-free place to talk, call 1-866-488-7386 to connect with a trained counselor.
The National Maternal Mental Health Hotline provides free 24/7 confidential support, resources and referrals to pregnant and postpartum mothers facing mental health challenges (and their loved ones). Call or text 1-833-TLC-MAMA (1-833-852-6262).
