FEP programs & resources in New Hampshire
New Hampshire’s community mental health center (CMHC) system is the primary pathway to care for people experiencing a first episode of psychosis. This page covers how to access services, which centers serve your area, and what national resources can supplement local care.
AI-assisted content — clinician review required. Program availability and phone numbers may change. Contact the center directly to confirm current services. Last reviewed July 2026.
How to access FEP services in NH
If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of psychosis, there are several paths to care:
Call your local CMHC
New Hampshire's 10 community mental health centers provide mental health services on a sliding-fee scale. Call and ask about early psychosis or first-episode psychosis services. Many can schedule an initial assessment within days.
Contact NH Rapid Response
Call 833-710-6477 (24/7) for immediate access to mobile crisis teams and behavioral health services. They can assess the situation and connect you to the right level of care.
Talk to a primary care provider
Your family doctor or PCP can do an initial evaluation, rule out medical causes, and refer you to specialized services. If you already have a provider relationship, this can be a good starting point.
Go to the emergency department
If symptoms are severe or there is any concern about safety, go to the nearest emergency room. They can provide immediate stabilization and connect you to follow-up care.
Who is eligible for FEP programs?
Eligibility varies by program, but coordinated specialty care programs typically serve people who are:
Roughly age 15–30
The age range when first episodes most often occur. Some programs extend to 35 or 40 — ask rather than assume you're too old or too young.
Within ~2 years of first symptoms
CSC is designed for the early window, when treatment has the biggest impact. The clock starts at the first psychotic episode, not at diagnosis.
Experiencing primary psychosis
Psychotic symptoms not better explained by a medical condition or substance use alone. The intake assessment sorts this out — you don't need a diagnosis to call.
If you’re unsure whether you or your loved one qualifies, call anyway. Programs would far rather screen someone who turns out not to need them than miss someone who does — and if a program isn’t the right fit, they can point you to what is.
How to get a referral
You do not need a doctor’s order to start. Anyone can make the first call— the person experiencing symptoms, a parent or partner, a school counselor, or a primary care provider. Call the CMHC serving your town (list below) and say you’re calling about “first-episode psychosis” or “early serious mental illness services.” The center will schedule an intake assessment, and if specialized FEP services are available they will connect you; if not, they will arrange treatment and can coordinate with programs elsewhere in the state.
Some states run branded early-psychosis networks — OnTrackNY in New York, EASA in Oregon. New Hampshire delivers early intervention primarily through its CMHC network, using federal Early Serious Mental Illness (ESMI) set-aside funding, with programs often built on the NAVIGATE model developed in the NIMH RAISE study. That means the door is the same everywhere in the state: your local CMHC.
Federal FEP funding in NH
Under SAMHSA’s Early Serious Mental Illness (ESMI) initiative, states are required to set aside a portion of their Community Mental Health Services Block Grant for evidence-based programs for first-episode psychosis — specifically, coordinated specialty care. New Hampshire participates in this program, which means federal dollars are directed toward building and sustaining FEP services in the state. Contact your local CMHC or the NH Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Mental Health Services, to ask about programs funded through this set-aside.
NAMI New Hampshire
NAMI NH offers Family-to-Family courses (a free, 8-session program for families of people with mental illness), support groups statewide, and a helpline for information and referrals. They are one of the most important resources for families navigating a first episode of psychosis.
800-242-6264(NAMI NH Helpline)
NH Community Mental Health Centers
New Hampshire has 10 designated community mental health centers. Each serves a defined catchment area and provides a range of behavioral health services, including assessment and treatment for psychosis. Call the center in your area to ask about FEP-specific services.
You can also use Meridian’s catchment area map to find which CMHC serves your town.
National FEP resources
These organizations provide education, program directories, and support that can supplement local services.
SAMHSA Early Serious Mental Illness (ESMI) Initiative
Federal initiative supporting first-episode psychosis programs nationwide through the Community Mental Health Services Block Grant. States must set aside a portion of their block grant for early intervention programs.
NIMH RAISE Project Resources
Free manuals, training materials, and implementation guides for the NAVIGATE model of coordinated specialty care, developed through the RAISE study.
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
Family-to-Family courses, support groups, educational programs, and a free helpline (1-800-950-NAMI) for families and individuals affected by mental illness including psychosis.
EASA (Early Assessment & Support Alliance)
A national learning community for early psychosis programs. Their website includes a program directory and educational resources.
Hearing Voices Network USA
A peer-led network offering support groups for people who hear voices or experience unusual perceptions. Not a clinical program — a community of people with lived experience.
Need help right now?
If you or someone you know is in crisis, you don’t need to wait for an appointment. Help is available 24/7.