Champions for Mental Health – 2023 Winner Posted on September 12, 2023January 24, 2024 John Barthelmes Named “Champion for Mental Health” by Riverbend Community Mental Health Annual Award Ceremony Also Celebrates Riverbend’s 60 Years of Community Service Former New Hampshire Department of Safety Commissioner John Barthelmes is being honored for his longtime leadership as a mental health advocate — leading efforts to help members of our community afflicted with mental health and substance abuse conditions and advocating for education through his public and community service. 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, 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. From a career in the New Hampshire State Police, to senior leadership positions in state government, to his role as an active community volunteer, Barthelmes champions the importance of positive mental health. His efforts reflect an understanding of individual struggles and how mental health can impact citizens, colleagues, neighbors, friends, and family, and acknowledges the importance of having conversations and awareness of the condition. “I am so pleased to recognize John with the Champion for Mental Health award — his lifelong commitment to serving the community with dignity and respect deserves such recognition,” said Lisa Madden, President & CEO of Riverbend Community Mental Health. “Throughout his career, and as a member of our Board of Directors, John demonstrated an unwavering commitment to serving the community. He has been especially invested in helping those experiencing hardship, living with mental illness, or living with addiction. He has tirelessly supported all of us at Riverbend, just as he did all of his colleagues at the Department of Safety. I am particularly grateful for John’s valuable guidance early in my tenure at Riverbend. His belief in shared responsibility to improve our communities and our world is aspirational to us all.” Hopkinton resident Barthelmes spent 23 years in the New Hampshire State Police, starting as a trooper in northern New Hampshire and finishing his career as the appointed colonel of the force, directing all operational and administrative functions for the principal statewide law enforcement agency. A tragic incident in 1997 – when two troopers were killed in Colebrook, New Hampshire by a man with mental illness – also shaped his perspective on mental health. The perilous link between mental health and drug abuse is long established; throughout his law enforcement career Barthelmes worked diligently to reduce drug usage and availability in New Hampshire and the region. During his decades-long state service, Barthelmes served on the Governor’s Commission on Alcohol & Drug Abuse Prevention, Intervention and Treatment. As part of the leadership team, he worked on efforts to develop a multi-discipline strategic plan to assess the epidemic of prescription drug abuse. For eight years, from 1999 to 2007, Barthelmes was the deputy director/director of the New England High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA). The body was responsible for administering financial resources for federal, state, and local law enforcement programs – targeted at addressing drug threats specific to New England. Other community service work includes chairing both the New Hampshire Advisory Council on Emergency Preparedness and Security, and the New Hampshire J-One Integration and Justice Information Sharing Commission. Many young people benefited directly from Barthelmes’ influence and commitment; he coached numerous youth teams in soccer, basketball, and softball. “I am honored and humbled to receive this award and reflect on how mental health and the epidemic of addiction impact each of us in our personal and professional lives,” said Barthelmes. “I want to thank the Riverbend team members for their courage, compassion, and professionalism, as they serve the mental health needs of our community. Together, we can make a difference.” Through all his public service, Barthelmes sought to strengthen available resources around mental health. He spent nearly ten years on Riverbend’s Board of Directors, volunteering on multiple committees and also serving as chair and vice chair. During a leadership transition and amid the global COVID-19 pandemic, he stepped in to serve as Riverbend’s interim president & CEO. Current chair of the Riverbend Board of Directors Jim Doremus says Barthelmes’ impact and legacy around the issue of mental health transcends his time at Riverbend: “His leadership, both within the field of law enforcement and across the broader community, has helped us as a state to increase awareness of the impact of mental health issues, humanize and accept individuals living with mental health challenges as valued members of our society, and recognize that there are treatments and solutions that work.” Riverbend will be honoring former commissioner Barthelmes at its upcoming Champions for Mental Health event on Tuesday, October 24, 2023, at the Bank of NH Stage in Concord. The annual ceremony shines a light on the importance of mental health and broadens community engagement around the issue. This year’s event is especially celebratory, as Riverbend is marking 60 years of providing comprehensive mental services to communities in central New Hampshire. As the organization honors this milestone and looks to its future, its board of directors and senior leadership are committed to finding new ways to engage with the local community and share its story of service. EVENT DETAILS: CHAMPIONS FOR MENTAL HEALTH Where: Bank of NH Stage 16 S. Main Street, Concord, NH 03301 When: Tuesday, October 24, 2023 5:30 – 6 p.m. – Reception 6 – 7 p.m. – Ceremony & Award Presentation Tickets & Registration: Click here Sponsorship Information: To support Riverbend or be part of the event, contact Patricia McLaughlin at: [email protected] ### Riverbend Community Mental Health is a private non-profit and one of the largest providers of specialized behavioral health services for children, adults, and their families in central New Hampshire. Nearly 8,000 children, families and adults are served annually. Core services include 24/7 emergency services; counseling services; comprehensive community and school-based services for children; addiction recovery services; and community support, vocational services, and residential programs for adults and seniors. For more information, visit www.riverbendcmhc.org, or follow @RiverbendCMHC on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.
