Archways & Lakes Region Mental Health Center

In rural New Hampshire, mental health services can be scarce, leaving many residents without vital support. Speare’s Community Health Grant Program includes grants to fill this gap, providing much-needed resources for organizations addressing the pressing mental health needs in the Plymouth area. 

Each year, Speare provides grant funding to area nonprofit organizations that work towards community health initiatives identified in our Community Health Needs Assessment survey and support our mission of “working together to serve the needs of our patients and community.” When our most recent survey identified the need for enhanced mental health services, Speare granted funding to Archways and Lakes Region Mental Health Center (LRMHC) to ensure that individuals and families experiencing mental health concerns receive the support and care they rightfully deserve.

With robust recovery support services in Tilton, Concord, and Franklin, Michelle Lennon, president and CEO of Archways, felt a personal connection to the request to establish a presence in Plymouth. “I was more than thankful to be asked,” says Michelle. “As a Campton resident who worked in SAU 48 for several years, Plymouth was more than just a location to expand into – it feels like my hometown.”   

Speare’s $5,000 grant to Archways helped them embark on their mission to break down barriers and increase access to recovery support services in Plymouth. The funding injected a vital lifeline into their efforts, enabling them to establish a drop-in office at Whole Village Family Resource Center and pilot a home-visiting model for recovery coaching “where people live”— at home, nursing homes, and recovery housing. 

“We thank Speare Memorial Hospital for the funding that has let Archways commit to growing support, removing barriers, and increasing access to recovery support services in lower Grafton County,” says Michelle. 

Meanwhile, Lakes Region Mental Health Center (LRMHC) received a grant of $15,500 from Speare’s Community Grant Program. LRMHC utilized the funding to enhance its Access to Care program – the first contact for people calling in need of help. They restructured the program and staffing to increase operational efficiencies and allow them to process more calls and intakes. The demand was intense with up to 260 calls flooding in each day. But with Speare’s support, progress was tangible—wait lists dwindled, and access improved.

“With this financial assistance, progress has been made in meeting the ever-growing demand for mental health services,” says Beth Vachon, director of development and public relations at LRMHC. “Most notably, our Child & Family program in Plymouth currently has no waitlist, which means that parents calling the LRMHC Plymouth office looking for an appointment for their child can schedule an intake within a few days, rather than having to wait.”

Archways and LRMHC embody the essence of resilience and compassion. They work so that people in Plymouth don’t have to face their struggles alone, offering hope to all those touched by their dedication.

For more information about our Community Health Grants, or to apply for a grant by June 15^th, visit SpeareHospital.com/grants or scan this QR code.