Riverbend Community Mental Health, Inc. We are a private, nonprofit providing specialized behavioral health services in central New Hampshire. Evidence-based models of treatment guide all our work and we strongly believe in the power of resilience and recovery. We provide educational programming to increase behavioral health literacy and we strongly support efforts to reduce stigma. Mission Vision Values We care for the behavioral health of our community. We provide responsive, accessible, and effective mental health services. We seek to sustain mental health and promote wellness. We work as partners with clients and families. We view recovery and resiliency as an on-going process in which choice, education, advocacy, and hope are key elements. We are fiscally prudent and work to ensure that necessary resources are available to support our work, now and in the future. We value diversity and see it as essential to our success. We value staff and their outstanding commitment and compassion for those we serve. We value quality and strive to continuously improve our services by incorporating feedback from clients, families and community stakeholders. We value community partnerships as a way to increase connections and resources that help clients and families achieve their goals. Our History Founded in 1963, Riverbend is one of ten community mental health centers in New Hampshire. We are an affiliate of Capital Region Health Care and a member of the NH Community Behavioral Health Association. We are also a key participant in IDN2, one of seven Medicaid Demonstration Projects underway in New Hampshire. 1950s Addressing the mental health challenges of children Mental Health Study Act of 1955 gets national and local discussion underway. Early local efforts focus on children. Volunteers begin to establish a presence in local schools. There are no paid staff or an operating budget. 1960s Visionary federal legislation sets the stage The Community Mental Health Centers Construction Act passes in 1963 and is signed into law by President John F. Kennedy. Concord Mental Health Center opens in 1964 with one social worker/director, one secretary, and an operating budget of $20,000. 1970s Becoming a Community Mental Health Center Our name is changed to Central New Hampshire Community Mental Health Services. Increasing professionalization and training enhance service delivery. 24-hour emergency services begin. Deinstitutionalization of mental health treatment becomes a reality. 1980s Expansion of services for children, adults, and families The opening of Pillar House at 40 Pleasant Street in Concord anchors community-based services for adults. Counseling Associates opens. Parent-Child Centers open in Pittsfield, Penacook, Franklin, and Concord. Vocational Services for adults are introduced. 1990s Building strong community partnerships Our name is changed to Riverbend. We join forces with Concord Hospital and Concord Regional Visiting Nurses Association to create Capital Region Health Care. Fellowship Housing Opportunities and CATCH work with us to expand supported housing for adults. The population at the NH State Hospital drops from the 1970’s high of 2,700 patients to under 300. 2000s Advocacy and innovation accentuate community-based care We are named the “Year 2000 Effective, Efficient Provider Organization” by the National Council for Behavioral Health. Mill House receives the “2001 MetLife Foundation Award for Excellence in Affordable Housing.” We receive the Walter J. Dunfey Award for “Excellence in Nonprofit Management” in 2001. 2010s Taking bold new steps in service delivery and reducing stigma In 2012 we receive the “Housing Hero Award” from CATCH and are named the “Nonprofit Business of the Year” by the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce. Riverbend begins embedding clinicians in Primary Care Medical offices. We bring the Campaign to Change Direction to New Hampshire, launching Change Direction NH in May 2016. Our Psychiatric Emergency Services expand with Mobile Crisis Services and the Crisis Stabilization Apartments The Integrated Center for Health opens for adults in our Community Support Program. Choices, addiction treatment and recovery services for adolescents and adults, opens. Riverbend joins a Medicaid Demonstration Project aimed at addressing a range of population health issues. Riverbend named “Nonprofit of the Year” by Business NH Magazine and receives $5,000 Walter J. Dunfey Fund for Nonprofit Excellence grant from the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation.
