[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 20 (Tuesday, February 1, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E87-E88]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN RECOGNITION OF SERVICE OF NAMI NEW HAMPSHIRE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 
                             KENNETH NORTON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CHRIS PAPPAS

                            of new hampshire

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 1, 2022

  Mr. PAPPAS. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Kenneth 
Norton's nearly 20 years of service to the National Alliance of Mental 
Illness of New Hampshire. For the past two decades, Ken has served his 
community as a steadfast advocate for mental health services and 
suicide prevention leading the way before many in today's society 
recognized the importance of behavioral health.
  Ken started with NAMI NH in 2003 to help create and grow prevention 
programing and spread awareness to policy makers, providers, and 
families across our state. By focusing his efforts on the organizations 
three cornerstones of support, education and advocacy, Ken has 
significantly expanded NAMI's presence in New Hampshire after stepping 
into the role of Executive Director in 2011. Under his leadership, the 
staff of NAMI NH, the budget, and the number of people served has 
quadrupled in size recognized by their well-deserved Nonprofit Impact 
Award from the NH Center for Nonprofits in 2019.
  By working with lawmakers and the public advocates such as NAMI NH 
and other mental health advocates, Congress has delivered expanded 
funding opportunities to prevent, educate, and treat our communities in 
need. Using these new grant opportunities NAMI NH offers Crisis 
Intervention Team (CIT) Mental Health Awareness & Deescalation training 
for our police, fire, and EMS. This allows our first responders to 
learn how to best manage individuals experiencing mental illness so 
they

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may protect the public while ensuring their own safety in these 
scenarios. NAMI programs, such as CIT, help develop professionals and 
individuals from all backgrounds and strengthen the communities they 
serve.
  Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic we have seen increased 
anxiety, fear, isolation, and grief from people of all ages increasing 
the need for mental health services. The strain placed on hospitals to 
treat this new infectious disease has limited access to critical 
services including behavior health. Yet advocates like Ken never 
faltered despite this unprecedented time and continued his efforts to 
support community members in need of behavioral health services.
  While in Congress I am proud to have worked with Ken to open 
opportunities for mental health, suicide prevention, and addition 
services, and I am grateful for the devoted staff and volunteers at 
NAMI NH for their tremendous work.
  On behalf of my constituents in New Hampshire's First Congressional 
District, I want to thank Ken for his continued dedication to the 
wellbeing of fellow Granite Staters and wish him the best as he 
transitions from his role as Executive Director.

                          ____________________