Prevention keeps communities healthier together

Prevention is about stopping harm before it happens, saving lives, reducing suffering, and building healthier, stronger communities.

Our Prevention Strategies program focuses on three areas of impact:

  • Substance Misuse Prevention

  • Suicide Prevention

  • Reducing Social Isolation

  • When we stop harm before it happens, we reduce pain, loss, and community cost. Prevention means:

    • Lower rates of substance use and overdose

    • Lower suicide rates

    • Healthier youth and families

    • Stronger community connection

  • We work with schools, community groups, and local coalitions to:

    • Plan and implement substance-free community events

    • Educate parents, students, and staff on prevention and wellness

    • Connect people to substance use and recovery  recovery and mental health resources

    • Partner with youth and adult leaders to reduce social isolation and build resilience

Community Collaboration

Prevention in Partners in Community Wellness

Our prevention efforts rely on strong partnerships. PPH supports local coalitions and prevention providers to reduce the impact of substance use and suicide, including:

  • Gilford Drug & Alcohol Task Force

  • Franklin Mayor’s Partners in Prevention About Us →

  • Laconia Youth Alliance Website →

These efforts are guided by a community engagement model involving six key sectors: Business, Education, Health, Safety, Government, and Community-Based Supports.

Substance misuse remains one of the most pressing public health challenges in our region:

  • Alcohol is the most commonly misused substance in NH, including underage drinking and binge drinking.

  • Cannabis is the most commonly used substance among teens and young adults and is associated with potential long-term mental and physical health risks.

  • Prescription medications, especially opioid pain relievers, can increase the risk of dependence and overdose, and in some cases may lead to the misuse of substances such as heroin or fentanyl.

Substance Misuse Prevention

    • Education and outreach to youth and families

    • Local community coalitions that build resilience and reduce risk factors

    • Safe medication disposal programs:

      • Belmont Police Department-Accessible M-F 7am to 11pm
        16 Fuller St
        Belmont, NH
        (603) 267-8351

      • Franklin Police Department-Accessible 24/7

        5 Hancock Terrace
        Franklin, NH
        (603) 934-2535

      • Gilford Police Department-Accessible 24/7

        47 Cherry Valley Road
        Gilford, NH
        (603) 527-4737

      • Laconia Police Department-Accessible 24/7

        126 New Salem Street
        Laconia, NH
        (603) 524-5252

      • Moultonborough Police Department-Accessible M-S 7am to 8:30pm

        1035 Whittier HWY.
        Moultonborough, NH
        (603) 476-2305

      • New Hampton Police Department– Accessible M, W, F

        24 Intervale Road

        New Hampton, NH 03256

        (603) 528-8585

      • Northfield Police Department– Accessible 24/7

        138 Park Street

        Northfield, NH 03276

        (603) 286-8982

Strategic Planning

Our 3-Year Regional Strategic Plan (guided by SAMHSA’s Strategic Prevention Framework) sets clear goals and objectives for substance misuse prevention. View Plan →

Suicide Prevention

Suicide continues to be a leading cause of death among youth and young adults in New Hampshire. As of the most recent data, suicide remains the second leading cause of death for individuals aged 15 to 34 and the fourth leading cause for those up to age 55. In our region:

  • 7.8% of high school youth reported attempting suicide in the past year (NH average: 8.5%).

  • Emergency department visits for suicide or self-harm are higher in the Winnipesaukee Region compared to the state average.

Veterans remain at elevated risk:

  •  In 2022, 32 veteran suicides were recorded in New Hampshire.

  • Veterans in New Hampshire have a suicide rate significantly higher than the general population (33.3 per 100,000), highlighting the need for targeted prevention efforts.

PPH facilitates the Veteran Suicide Prevention Coalitions  across New Hampshire by providing seed funding, strategic guidance, and coordination in partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the NH Department of Military Affairs and Veterans Services.

Resources and Support:

Community Health Improvement Plan
Priority Areas & Regional Data

Prevention Strategies are a key part of the region’s Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP), which identifies substance misuse and suicide prevention as priority focus areas.

Learn about our CHIP goals →

Join the Effort

Prevention is everyone’s job. Whether you’re an educator, parent, healthcare provider, or community leader, you have a role in reducing harm and saving lives.

Join our network of community leaders, educators, healthcare providers, and prevention advocates working to reduce harm and strengthen resilience in the Lakes Region. We meet monthly at HealthFirst in Laconia on the 3rd Thursday of every month, 9:00 a.m.

Learn More and Get Involved

by the numbers

  • Regional Substance Misuse Trends

    • Alcohol remains the most misused substance, with underage drinking and binge drinking identified as high-risk behaviors.

    • 8.5% of high school youth in the Winnipesaukee Region attempted suicide in the past year (NH average: 5.9%)*

    • ED visits related to suicide/self-harm: 20.5 per 10,000 in the region vs. 15.9 statewide*

  • Community Impact

    • 9,562 community members reached with prevention efforts*

    • 127 community events and workshops focused on substance misuse prevention*

    • 8 coalitions dedicated to Veteran suicide prevention across New Hampshire*

  • Veteran Suicide Prevention

    • 8 regional coalitions addressing Veteran and Service Member suicide (statewide)*

    • Focused on increasing access to mental health care, improving integration, and reducing isolation.

*2024 Annual Report

Community Health In Action

8.5% of teens in our region report having attempted suicide in the past year. (NH YRBS 2023)

Our CHIP strategies focus on early intervention, school-based support, and community education to reduce this number.

See the full Improvement Plan →