My daughter is nine years old, and for much of her young life, I have fought tirelessly for her mental health. Yet, despite our efforts, there are simply no adequate resources or treatments available in New Hampshire for children her age. The state's current policies mean that a critical age group is being overlooked, and my family has been left to suffer. I’ve been pushed to such extreme lengths due to the lack of support that I had no choice but to reach out to Child Protective Services, hoping they would take action when no one else would.

Young children in New Hampshire desperately need access to mental health services tailored to their age group. Mental and behavioral illnesses don't wait until they meet arbitrary age requirements, nor do they conveniently disappear. These are critical developmental years, and without early intervention, the consequences can last a lifetime—impacting not just the child, but their families and communities as well.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, one in six children in the U.S. aged 6-17 experience a mental health disorder each year [1]. Despite this, early intervention resources are significantly lacking, particularly in states like New Hampshire. The mental health support system for our youngest citizens is crumbling, and parents find themselves in a position where they feel compelled to exaggerate their circumstances simply to gain the attention of authorities.

It's time for the state of New Hampshire to step up and allocate necessary funding to provide mental health treatments and resources for children who do not meet current age criteria. This funding can support the establishments of specialized care units, more comprehensive training for mental health professionals, and age-appropriate therapeutic programs to cater to children under 12.

Every child deserves the chance to grow up mentally healthy, and every parent deserves to feel supported and heard. By signing this petition, you are advocating for the well-being of countless children and families across our state. Together, we can urge New Hampshire to recognize this pressing issue and to implement tangible solutions to help our children thrive. Please sign and share this petition to be a voice for the voiceless.