ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY: Stakeholders Praise Mission Zero Progress, New Public Dashboard Released

Concord, NH – On September 24, 2024, the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) convened stakeholders to celebrate progress in the first year of Mission Zero and gather feedback on how to grow and sustain this work into the future. Launched in 2023, Mission Zero is a multi-sector, data-driven effort to address ED boarding reduction – a top priority for DHHS that aligns with the State’s 10-Year Mental Health Plan.

“New Hampshire brought stakeholders together with a singular focus: community care and partnerships to produce better patient outcomes,” said Governor Chris Sununu. “Time and again, we’ve shown that breaking down silos builds a stronger mental health system. Our work is never finished, but the Granite State is stronger today thanks to the work of Mission Zero.”

Mission Zero brings together organizations and people from across the health and human services sector to collectively solve this problem in New Hampshire. The Mission Zero collaboration is led by DHHS, the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) New Hampshire and the New Hampshire Hospital Association. The collaboration includes stakeholders from across the mental health system, including hospitals, community mental health centers, advocates and individuals with lived experience.

“After one year, New Hampshire is witnessing important signs of progress. There have been days when the wait list has hit zero, as well as consistent decreases in wait times,” said DHHS Commissioner Lori Weaver. “We have increased availability and use of non-hospital, preventive resources, which is vital in our work to serve more patients directly within the community rather than at a hospital. While our collective efforts have made an impact in the past 12 months, our work continues until there is a queue of none.”

“The first anniversary of Mission Zero represents a milestone in our work to build a stronger, more resilient behavioral health system,” said Steve Ahnen, President of NHHA. “We are proud of the work that stakeholders from across the health care system are doing to end ED boarding and ensure patients are able to get the care they need when and where they need it. The progress to date is a reflection of the partnership and collaboration that exists across the behavioral health system and that spirit will continue to propel our work in the days ahead.”

“While ED Boarding is an issue across the country, here in New Hampshire Mission Zero has provided a roadmap toward solutions that connect Granite Staters with timely help,” said NAMI NH Executive Director Susan Stearns. “When we work together, we can accomplish truly remarkable things. Over the years, various efforts to end ED boarding have been attempted, but Mission Zero represents the first time we have all come together with a singular focus to solve the problem once and for all. Individuals and families affected by mental illness are watching to make sure we do. One of the most heartening things I hear from families is that, with Mission Zero, finally, there is hope.” 

To ensure transparency and to keep the people of New Hampshire informed of and engaged in this important work, DHHS has launched the Mission Zero Dashboard, which focuses on the key drivers of New Hampshire’s ED boarding challenge: Prevention and Community-Based Access; Inpatient Care & Coordination; and Discharge Barriers. The Mission Zero Dashboard can be accessed at: https://wisdom.dhhs.nh.gov/wisdom/dashboard.html?topic=mental-health&subtopic=mission-zero-adult-mental-health&indicator=mission-zero-prevention-and-community-based-access. For more information on Mission Zero, please visit the Mission Zero web page. 

NOTE: Information on the number of adults waiting involuntarily in the Emergency Department for an Acute Psychiatric Bed can be found under the Inpatient Care & Coordination tab of the new dashboard.